De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) is committed to promoting equal access and opportunities for Deaf individuals and other persons with disabilities through inclusive admission processes, accessible educational programs, and institutional support services. The College ensures that its admission procedures and access to degree programs are appropriate and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities, enabling them to pursue higher education in an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Beyond the campus, Benilde actively advocates for Deaf accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities through partnerships with various organizations, industries, and companies. These collaborations promote Deaf awareness, accessible communication, career development, and employment opportunities, helping address barriers to education and workforce participation.
The following activities and initiatives demonstrate Benilde’s continuing commitment to providing access schemes for persons with disabilities, strengthening inclusive education, and advancing equitable opportunities both within the institution and in the wider community.
Advent and Lenten Recollection
November 23, 2024 and March 29, 2025
The Advent Recollection (November 23, 2024) and Lenten Recollection (March 29, 2025) SDEAS offered these activities to demonstrate the institution’s active commitment to providing structured support services specifically tailored to Deaf students. By incorporating guided activities and reflection, these recollections address the specific accessibility and faith formation needs of Deaf learners who may have limited prior exposure to Christian traditions.
Furthermore, through this activity, SDEAS support extends beyond technical accommodations like interpreters or assistants to provide the holistic, cultural, and spiritual development of Deaf students ensuring their equal and meaningful participation in the CSB community.
Photo: Advent and Lenten Recollection 2024 – Photo Documentation
SDEAS and CRD Student Handbook Orientation
November 29, 2024
The SDEAS and CRD Student Handbook Orientation is designed to familiarize Deaf students with institutional policies, code of conduct, and disciplinary measures. Conducted by the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) in partnership with the Center for Restorative Discipline (CRD), the session ensures that Deaf students have accessible, clear, and comprehensive understanding of college guidelines, promoting a safe, responsible, and well-informed student community.
Photo: SDEAS and CRD Student Handbook Orientation – Photo Documentation
Deaf and Hearing Camp Orientation
January 16 and 31, 2025
The orientation introduced participants to the camp’s inclusive objectives and activities while highlighting SDEAS ongoing support services for Deaf students and community members. Sign language interpreters and communication support were provided to ensure full accessibility during presentations, discussions, and team-building exercises.
Photo: Deaf and Hearing Camp Orientation – Photo Documentation
SDEAS CDEAF Volunteer Orientation
February 5, 2025
This orientation supports Deaf student volunteers in participating fully. The event equipped Deaf volunteers with essential training on community outreach initiatives, educational support, and safety guidelines, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to community engagement efforts.
SDEAS CDEAF Social Responsibility and Outreach Program Volunteer Orientation – Photo Documentation
View Volunteer Orientation Photos
For the Kids 2025
February 16, 2025
The activity provides Sign Language interpreting services and logistical/event-based support by SDEAS staff and students to assist child participants during an event.
Photo: For the Kids 2025 – Photo Documentation
Filipino Sign Language Tutorials for Students
Every Thursdays of 1st Term and February 3, 10, 11 and March 10, 2025 of 2nd Term AY 2024-2025
The Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Tutorials is one of the support programmes to support students to bridge communication barriers and improve student signing and written communication skills. It directly serves and empowers Deaf students and fosters inclusive communication for the Deaf students or underrepresented groups. The said activity was conducted every Thursdays of the 1st term, and on four scheduled days during the 2nd term of the academic year 2024-2025.
Photo: FSL Tutorials AY 2024-2025 – Photo Documentation
SDEAS Caravan – Community Outreach and FSL Workshops
May 25–June 2, 2025
To support Deaf student and staff volunteers in participating fully and leading external outreach, the university provided sign language interpreters and institutional support services throughout the caravan. Guided by Lasallian core values, the team conducted Filipino Sign Language (FSL) workshops for DepEd Dapitan teachers and leadership training for the Deaf community in Dipolog, demonstrating how university support services empower Deaf individuals to drive community development and inclusive education.
Photo: SDEAS Caravan 2025 – Photo Documentation
Hawak-Kamay sa Pag-Gabay Parent Formation
June 21, 2025
SDEAS provides specialized support services and communication workshops for parents of incoming 1st-year Deaf students (Batch 124) through the Hawak-Kamay sa Pag-Gabay program. The workshop equips parents with fundamental skills in Visual Gestural Communication (VGC) and Benildean Deaf culture awareness. By providing structured communication training and family guidance, the initiative fosters an accessible and supportive environment both at home and within the academic community, ensuring holistic support for Deaf students
Photo: Hawak-Kamay sa Pag-Gabay: Benildean Expressions and Parent Visual Arts – Photo Documentation
Parents’ Recollection
June 28, 2025
This Parents’ Recollection serves as a support program that strengthens family relationships and promotes mutual understanding between parents and their Deaf children. It provides a safe and inclusive environment where parents and children can share their reflections, insights, and experiences, fostering open communication, mutual respect, and deeper appreciation of one another. Through this activity, families are encouraged to strengthen their bonds, support the holistic development of Deaf children, and nurture their spiritual growth together.
Photo: Parents Recollection – Photo Documentation
View Parents’ Recollection Photos
DepEd Manila Community Engagement
August 12, 2025
SDEAS provided support services to the Special Needs Education (SNED) Center at P. Gomez Elementary School through a donation of 300 Happy Meal toys to support its learners.
Photo: DepEd Manila Community Engagement – Photo Documentation
View Community Engagement Photos
SDEAS Caravan – Deaf Awareness and FSL Advocacy
AY 2024-2025
The SDEAS Caravan is a Deaf Awareness and Filipino Sign Language initiative that educates students (Grade 11-12) about Deaf culture, respectful communication, disability rights, and inclusive practices while encouraging FSL use and building a network of allies and advocates for the Deaf community.
The initiative promotes equal participation and inclusion by addressing misconceptions, reducing communication barriers, and empowering students to become advocates for Deaf rights and accessibility in their schools and communities.
Photo: SDEAS Caravan – Young Deaf Summit at Apolinario Mabini Elementary School
Clinic and Other Medical Assistance
AY 2024-2025
SDEAS provides dedicated sign language interpreting services for Deaf students (SDEAS) when visiting the campus clinic for urgent medical concerns or health consultations. By providing real-time interpreting support, the school ensures clear communication between clinic personnel and Deaf students, enabling equal access to medical guidance, healthcare services, and health safety accommodations on campus.
Photo: SDEAS and CRD Student Handbook Orientation for Students – Photo Documentation
Written Language Support Sessions
AY 2024-2025
SDEAS provides Written Language Support Sessions as an academic support service specifically tailored for Deaf students. Conducted through individual student consultations and faculty referrals, the sessions utilize specialized writing strategies to assist Deaf students in developing written language proficiency, bridging language barriers, and achieving academic success.
Photo: Written Language Support Sessions – Photo Documentation
Deaf Awareness Orientation for Varsity Players and Staff
AY 2024-2025
SDEAS promotes accessible communication in athletics by conducting Deaf Awareness and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) orientation sessions for hearing varsity players, coaches, and sports staff. While the school provides sign language interpreters for official campus programs, this initiative builds peer-level support capacity within sports teams. By equipping student-athletes and athletics staff with basic FSL skills, the program ensures accessible communication during games, training, and athletic events, fostering an inclusive environment for Deaf student-athletes, volunteers, and sports officials.
Photo: 2024-2025 Deaf Awareness Orientation with CSB Varsity Players and Staff
View Orientation Photos; View SDEAS Facebook Post
Industry Outlook
AY 2024-2025
Industry Outlook provides graduating Deaf students with insights into current industry trends, in-demand skills, workplace expectations, and emerging career opportunities. It helps students make informed career decisions, understand employer needs, and prepare for the transition from college to employment. It equips Deaf students with industry knowledge, career direction, and an understanding of the competencies and professional expectations needed to succeed in their chosen fields. It promotes equitable access to career information and employment opportunities, helping address information gaps and systemic barriers that may limit Deaf graduates’ participation in the workforce.
Photo: Industry Outlook – Career Preparation and Employer Engagement
NESTLE: View Facebook Post; MOCK INTERVIEW: View Facebook Post; SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES: View Facebook Post
Industry Visit
AY 2024-2025
Industry Visit provides graduating Deaf students with firsthand exposure to actual workplaces, organizational cultures, job roles, and industry practices. Through direct engagement with employers and professionals, students gain a clearer understanding of workplace expectations, explore career opportunities, and learn how to navigate professional environments.
Through industry visit, students gain workplace readiness by connecting classroom learning with real-world practice, building professional confidence, and facilitating meaningful connections with potential employers. It also encourages inclusive employment by creating opportunities for Deaf students and employers to engage directly, challenge misconceptions about Deaf professionals, and identify practical ways to improve workplace accessibility and inclusion.
Photo: Industry Visits – Workplace Exposure and Career Readiness
QC KABAHAGI: View Facebook Post; SHELL PHILIPPINES: View Facebook Post; AYALA MUSEUM: View Facebook Post; DSWD NVRC: View Facebook Post; ACCENTURE: View Facebook Post; NESTLE: View Facebook Post; SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES: View Facebook Post
Young Deaf Summit
AY 2024-2025
The Young Deaf Summit is an initiative designed for Deaf learners, particularly senior high school students, to develop their leadership skills, expand their knowledge, and explore opportunities for personal growth through seminars, interactive learning, and engagement with Deaf leaders and role models. It empowers young Deaf individuals to build confidence, recognize their potential, and become active contributors to their communities.
The initiative promotes equal opportunities for Deaf learners to access leadership development, education, and personal growth. By amplifying Deaf voices, fostering self-advocacy, and creating inclusive spaces for participation, the summit helps address barriers to empowerment and supports the meaningful inclusion of Deaf youth in society.
Photo: Young Deaf Summit – Leadership and Youth Empowerment
YDS: A. Mabini Elementary School in Davao City View SDEAS Facebook Post; YDS: Benilde Manila View SDEAS Facebook Post
Career Orientation for Deaf High School Students
AY 2024-2025
Career Orientation introduces Deaf high school students to diverse career pathways, educational opportunities, and employment possibilities. It helps them identify their interests, recognize their strengths, and make informed decisions about their future careers.
The initiative promotes equal access to career guidance and opportunities, empowering Deaf students to pursue their aspirations, overcome barriers to employment, and participate meaningfully in an inclusive workforce.
Photo: Career Orientation for Deaf High School Students
LSGH Career Orientation: View SDEAS Facebook Post
Deaf Awareness Orientation
AY 2024-2025
The Deaf Awareness Orientation promotes understanding of Deaf culture, Filipino Sign Language (FSL), communication accessibility, and Deaf rights. It also introduces students to Benilde SDEAS academic programs, including its pioneering Bachelor’s Degree in Sign Language Interpretation, inspiring future advocates and professionals in Deaf inclusion.
DAO helps reduce communication barriers, challenge misconceptions, and promote equal access to education and public participation. By encouraging FSL learning and awareness of Deaf-centered academic pathways, it cultivates allies and future professionals who can advance accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities for the Deaf community.
Deaf Awareness Orientation – Photo Compilation View DAO Compilation
WorkAbility Asia Conference 2025
AY 2024-2025
Highlights the importance of support and inclusive practices that enable persons with disabilities to participate in employment.
Photo: WorkAbility Asia Conference 2025 – Event Highlights
Future-Ready Deaf Professionals
AY 2024-2025
Supports Deaf students in preparing for future employment.
Future-Ready Deaf Professionals – Photo Documentation
