History
30 Years as Leaders, Advocates, and Trailblazers in Philippine Deaf Education
2025
The Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies (BAPDST) program was granted Level I Accredited Status by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), with recognition from the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP). This accreditation affirms the program’s adherence to nationally recognized standards of quality and its continuing commitment to excellence in Deaf education and applied studies.
2024
The Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies program at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde has officially earned accreditation from the ASEAN University Network–Quality Assurance (AUN-QA), marking a significant milestone that affirms the program’s quality, relevance, and impact. This achievement underscores Benilde’s commitment to inclusive and accessible education, positioning the College as a regional leader in promoting academic excellence for the Deaf community in line with international standards.
2018
The enactment of the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Law in 2018 further strengthened SDEAS’s role as a resource and leader in Deaf education. In response, the School expanded its initiatives in sharing expertise and delivering Filipino Sign Language training for educators and relevant stakeholders. Since then, SDEAS has continued to enhance its research agenda while further developing its curricula, academic programs, and support services in alignment with national policy and the evolving needs of the Deaf community.
2012
From the mid-2000s onward, SDEAS has played a vital and visible role in advancing advocacy for equal access to education, employment, information, justice, religious participation, health services, and other essential opportunities for the Deaf community. The School has actively collaborated with government agencies, civil society organizations, and partner institutions to help shape policies and initiatives that promote the rights, inclusion, and empowerment of Filipino Deaf individuals.
2003
In 2003, SDEAS entered into a landmark partnership with the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology (NTID–RIT) through the implementation of PEN International, a global university network funded by the Nippon Foundation of Japan. The initiative aimed to strengthen and expand postsecondary education for Deaf and hard-of-hearing learners worldwide through the sharing of educational technologies and faculty development. Building on the success of this collaboration, SDEAS subsequently pursued numerous partnerships focused on employment pathways and skills development for its Deaf and hard-of-hearing students and alumni.
2000
In 2000, the School of Special Studies was formally renamed the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), reflecting the increasingly central role of Deaf individuals in the design, implementation, and leadership of the school’s academic programs, activities, and services. This transition marked a significant expansion of Deaf participation in institutional life, with SDEAS students gaining active involvement in College-wide student activities and representation in the Student Council. During this period, the school also saw the growing inclusion of Deaf educators in faculty and administrative roles.
1994
In its formative years, classes were facilitated by hearing faculty members who had undergone sign language training. A significant shift toward a more Deaf-centered approach occurred in 1994, when Deaf para-teachers Blowie Austria and James Andrabado were engaged as key partners in program development. Their involvement marked a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the program, laying the groundwork for what would later be known as the Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies (BAPDST).
1991
The De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) traces its roots to 1991, when it was established as a Certificate Program in Bookkeeping and Accounting for the Hearing Impaired under the Educational Development Department (EDD) of De La Salle University. This foundational initiative marked the beginning of Benilde’s sustained commitment to learner-centered Deaf education in the Philippines, a legacy that has continued to shape the institution for more than three decades.
