Deaf Growing Regional Opportunities for Work
Overview
The Deaf Growing Regional Opportunities for Work (Deaf GROW) project developed two self-sustaining Centers on Employment in the Philippines and Vietnam, aimed at supporting the education and employment of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. These centers were managed by leadership teams from partner universities and modeled after the Rochester Institute of Technology – National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT-NTID) Coop and Career Center. Serving as pivotal hubs, they provided resources, support, training, and accessibility services to foster job placement and career advancement for the Deaf community in both countries.

Deaf GROW Project
RIT-NTID, in collaboration with partner institutions in the Philippines and Vietnam, received a grant from The Nippon Foundation to launch two Centers on Employment aimed at supporting the education and employment of people who are deaf or hard of hearing in these countries. These centers aim to achieve self-sufficiency within five years and serve as models for other ASEAN nations. Key objectives include conducting surveys, assessing employer and deaf community needs, identifying essential post-pandemic job skills, and providing targeted education and training to improve job readiness and career advancement. The initiative also advocates for inclusive employment policies while building on the successful track record of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) in the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, which has maintained a high employment rate among its deaf alumni across various sectors.












The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies
In 2005, the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) at Benilde established the Center for Partnership and Development (CPD). The CPD has consistently achieved a commendable employment rate among Deaf Benildean alumni, with pre-pandemic figures averaging up to 70% within 1.5 years of graduation. This success is particularly impressive given the national unemployment rate in the Philippines stands at 5.2%, with underemployment at 13.9% (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2019). Alumni have secured positions across a range of sectors, including service industries, business process outsourcing, academia, startups, and both government and non-government organizations.



SDEAS Vision for the Hub for Career and Employment for the Deaf
In response to these challenges, we propose expanding the Hub for Career and Employment for the Deaf (HCED) to enhance Deaf employment opportunities in Metro Manila and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, we plan to benchmark at least four regional employment hubs in areas with significant Deaf populations and Deaf Benildean alumni. The HCED aims to build on the success of SDEAS by leveraging its expertise and partnerships to create more opportunities for Deaf individuals in an evolving employment landscape.

Join us in shaping a future where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive in the workplace and beyond.