S5-Episode 8 - Interview with Emma DeCaro and Dr. Karwan Al-Dosakee

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In this episode of the Kurdistan in America podcast, host Delovan Barwari is joined by Emma DeCaro and Dr. Karwan Al-Dosakee to discuss the Kurdistan Deaf Human Rights Initiative, a transformative project aimed at advancing the rights and services for the deaf community in Kurdistan. They shed light on the challenges faced by deaf individuals, such as the lack of access to sign language education beyond the 9th grade and the very limited opportunities available from 1st to 9th grade.

Emma, Dr. Karwan, and Delovan discuss how the first phase of the project trained sign language interpreters at the American University of Kurdistan in Dohuk and established an advisory committee that includes key stakeholders from the deaf community and government ministries.

Funded by the US Embassy through IREX, the second phase is now ending, focusing on laying the groundwork for standardizing a Kurdish Sign Language (KuSL) documentation process with its natural variations. This process can ultimately support the development of a community-based dictionary to increase opportunities for Deaf education and interpreter training.

This episode offers an in-depth look at the impactful work of the Kurdistan Deaf Human Rights Initiative, a project that began at the KRG Representation and is supported by the KRG, NGOs, and international partners to improve education, accessibility, and rights for the deaf community across Kurdistan.

Tune in to this important discussion on the needs of the Deaf community in Kurdistan. The full transcript, interpreted in Kurdish Sign Language (KuSL), is also available on YouTube—click the link here—with interpretation by Ahmed Ali.