named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Advocacy Conference
Annual conference featuring workshops and presentations by Deaf New Americans and allies on topics including education, healthcare access, civic engagement, and trauma-informed practices
Education Equity Initiative
Research and advocacy program addressing unmet educational needs of Deaf New Americans, focusing on policy reform and inclusion of Deaf educators
Healthcare Access Advocacy
Initiative to improve communication access and self-advocacy for Deaf New Americans in healthcare settings, led by community health providers and advocates
Immigration and Citizenship Assistance
Program supporting Deaf refugees through the immigration process, including green card and naturalization applications, in partnership with Catholic Charities
activities · 7 groups
What they do
-
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services 4 activities
- Community and family support services for Deaf New AmericansProvides direct services and community support to over 50 Deaf New American adults and their families in Central New York, primarily of Bhutanese Nepali origin, including Deaf children, CODAs, and mixed-hearing families. Services include interpretation, social work, and educational support.
- Community education and cultural empowermentOffers community-based basic education programs that facilitate communication, teach cultural awareness, and promote empowerment among Deaf New Americans.
- Educational and youth tutoring programsOffers academic tutoring and educational support for Deaf and CODA youth (ages 2–17) through a partnership with Syracuse University, utilizing volunteers to deliver resources and promote learning.
- Legal and advocacy representationProvides advocacy and legal representation support for Deaf New Americans in healthcare, education, and justice settings in Syracuse, NY, using language access in Nepalese Sign Language, American Sign Language, and International Sign.
-
-
Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Community farming and agricultural programManages a 10-acre farm where Deaf Americans own plots, use a greenhouse, and engage in planting, harvesting, and selling of organic, seasonal traditional vegetables, producing thousands of pounds of food annually and supporting health outcomes such as diabetes remission.
-
-
Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Community gatherings and social integrationOrganizes regular gatherings for Deaf refugees in private residences and community spaces to build social connections, foster mutual support, and strengthen community bonds.
-
-
Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
- Life Skills Chat and Tea sessionsHosts weekly Life Skills Chat and Tea sessions every Thursday to promote socialization and education on topics including safety, health, and wellness, featuring guest lecturers and interactive discussions.
-
-
Autism and Neurodiversity Family Support Services 1 activity
- Peer mentorship and parenting supportProvides peer support and mentorship for new parents of Deaf children, offering informational and emotional guidance on educational decisions and family life through community members like Monu and Tamla.
-
-
Language Access Services 1 activity
- Research facilitation and interpretation servicesActs as an interlocutor and provides Deaf interpretation to enable research teams to communicate effectively with members of the Deaf New American community, supporting ethical and accessible research practices.
-
-
Women's Empowerment and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Women’s Safe Space and community skill-buildingOperates a Women’s Safe Space program where Deaf women gather weekly to socialize, develop skills such as sewing, share cultural food, and participate in talk therapy and cultural empowerment activities.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$151K
Contributions & grants$150K99%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$110K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$19K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$74K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$71K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue -2.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 3
- JAY REGMI — BOARD MEMBER
- SHAMATI SUHANG — BOARD MEMBER
- TAMLA HTOO — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Asha Laaya Partner — Model Deaf-led farm project under Deaf New American Advocacy Inc focused on empowering Deaf immigrants through agriculture.
- Asha Laaya Farm of Hope Partner — Collaborates with Asha Laaya Farm of Hope to provide agricultural work and community engagement opportunities for Deaf New Americans.
- Bhutanese Nepali community Partner — Primary community served and engaged in cultural mediation and education programs.
- Grand Canyon University Partner — Connected through Diu Nyuon, a Deaf South Sudanese refugee and student studying Early Childhood and Special Education, who contributes expertise from lived experience supported by institutional education.
- Rochester School for the Deaf Partner — Assists families in enrolling Deaf children in educational programs, including the Rochester School for the Deaf.
- Rowan University Partner — Collaborates through Dr. Elder’s research involvement with Deaf New Americans Advocacy Inc on inclusive education initiatives.
- SUNY Upstate Medical University Partner — Collaborates with Deaf New Americans Advocacy Inc through joint work on healthcare access and education, including Dr. Rebecca Garden's collaborative teaching with Monu Chhetri.
- Syracuse Partner — Location of primary operations and community support for Deaf New Americans.
- Syracuse University Partner — Collaborates through research and academic engagement, including Chelsea Stinson’s work as a PhD candidate and Dr. Michael Schwartz’s affiliations.
- Syracuse University Humanities Department Partner — Collaborates to provide academic support for Deaf and CODA youth.
- Syracuse University School of Education Partner — Collaborates to provide academic support for Deaf and CODA youth.
- WCNY Partner — Collaborated on the production of the "Our New Neighbors" episode featuring Monu Chhetri.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally Affirming, Barrier-Free Programmingmethodology: culturally_affirming_programmingBy creating culturally affirming and linguistically accessible environments, the organization enables Deaf New Americans to develop skills and agency because removing communication and cultural barriers is essential to participation and self-determination.
- Deaf-Led Community Farming for Holistic Integrationmethodology: deaf_led_community_farmingBy engaging Deaf New Americans in Deaf-led agricultural work, the organization fosters social integration, leadership development, and mental well-being because meaningful, culturally grounded work in a peer-supported environment addresses isolation and builds self-determination.
- Integrated Advocacy with Language and Cultural Mediationmethodology: integrated_advocacy_and_language_accessBy combining advocacy, interpretation, and cultural mediation, the organization improves access to essential services for Deaf New Americans because systemic barriers are best addressed through coordinated, culturally informed support.
- Participatory Empowerment Through "Nothing About Us Without Us"methodology: nothing_about_us_without_usBy centering Deaf New Americans in program design and decision-making, the organization ensures cultural relevance and ownership, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes because self-determination is foundational to integration and advocacy.