Noted Speakers: Amy Wilson
Polly Arango | Fernando Cruz | Frank De Lima | Frank DeRuyter | Katharina Heyer | Cinda and Linea Johnson | David Johnson | Robert Mcruer | Leolinda Parlin | Tanya and Michelle Ponich | Joseph Ray | Suzanne Robinson | Loretta Ross | Dr. Neil Scott | Howard C. Shane | Charlotte Smith | Bethany Stevens | Damon Terzaghi | Amy Wilson
Tuesday May 5th, 2009: 9:00 AM -10:00 AM in Room 307A, on topic of Deaf
“Improving Development Assistance to Deaf Communities in Developing Countries: Transforming Dependency into Empowerment”
Research done in two developing countries studied the kind of development assistance deaf people wanted and the manner that they wanted to work with development agencies from abroad. The two studies used participatory qualitative research methods and found that what the deaf communities desired from these agencies and how they wanted to be assisted, differed from what they were receiving. Recommendations what and how to offer development assistance to deaf communities resulted from the studies.
Biography: Amy Wilson
Dr. Amy Wilson, Associate Professor, teaches International Development with People with Disabilities in Developing Countries, Introduction to International Development, as well as research to deaf and hearing students at the graduate level. Dr. Wilson began her teaching career in 1979, teaching the sciences to deaf and hard of hearing students in a mainstreamed public high school in suburban Chicago. After 12 years, she then spent several years as a volunteer with the Mennonite Central Committee in northeast Brazil where she did teacher training and community development work with Deaf communities in rural areas.
Inspired by her work in Brazil, she earned her Ph.D. at Gallaudet University's Department of Education (2001), focusing on curriculum development with an added specialization in International Development from coursework completed at American University. Dr. Wilson is interested in researching how to empower deaf people and those with disabilities in developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and South America.
At Gallaudet, she is the Program Director of the International Development Programs.
