What We Do

As a national consumer organization driven by a quest for a more inclusive world, we primarily focus on advocacy and education. Not only is this because our organization emerged from a unique leadership development program that allowed participants to develop and practice advocacy skills in the national capital, but also because we recognize the need to improve the quality of life for deafblind people through social action. As individuals with lived experiences in the deafblind community, we also recognize that education is critical to the advancement of one of the most underserved communities.

DBCA strives to bring into focus issues of significance to our community, as well as the wider disability community, and advocate for inclusive policies and practices. Because the challenges of the community is not well understood within the policy and business arenas, we devise ways to educate and engage. But our educational program is not limited to policymakers or the public, as we strive to empower young people with the knowledge and tools that allow them to contribute meaningfully to their local communities and society at large.

Some of the things DBCA strives to achive through educated decion making:

  • Developing informed and committed young leaders who give back to their communities
  • International travel for educational and cultural exchange
  • Meeting with civic and institutional leaders to share our community’s perspectives and/or concerns
  • Producing or presenting informational materials at conferences or other occasions to educate audiences and stimulate dialogue on deafblindness in particular and people with disabilities in general
  • Educating policymakers about our community and advocating for inclusive policies
  • Maintaining ongoing communication and collaboration with business leaders to develop solutions which foster independence and promote safe communities for all citizens to live and work in, while also increasing businesses’ ability to reach more customers and increase revenue.

Current Action

Recent Action

 

May: George Stern participated in DeafBlind International’s Network of the Americas.

June: DBCA and DBYAA travel to Washington DC for the annual leadership and Advocacy class. Every year mentors and Mentees participate in a week long leadership class

Upcoming Action

 March 2020: Transportation leadership workshop in Portland Oregon. For more information visit our registration page. https://dbcitizens.org/transportation-leadership-workshop/

A large conference room filled with a diverse group of people including interpreters and support staff. George Stern is standing on a stage at a lectern address the group. On the stage behind George is an interpreter providing Pro-Tactile information for George as well as an interpreter providing visual interpreting for others in the room. The stage is lined with a black wall where several different national flags hang.
DBYAA participants listen intently as they are crowded into Senator Ed Markey's office. DBYAA participants, support staff, and leaders from partner organizations line a long glossy wooden table and parts of the walls as Senator Markey, with aids at his side, speaks to them.
The DBYAA Mentors and Mentees are joined by FCC and DOE staff. Top Row: Katherine Inman, Zachary Fox, Kelvin Crosby, Danielle Burton; Middle Row: Amita Sirnivasan, Hunter McGowan, George Stern, Mussie Gebre, and Divya Goel; Bottom Row: Brianne Burger, Rosaline Crawford, Karen Strauss, Suzy Rosen