Deaf Filipinos have long faced barriers in education, equality, and cultural recognition. Limited access to linguistic and cultural role models has made it challenging for Deaf individuals to share their stories and affirm their identity.
To help address these gaps, the Benilde Center for Education Advancement of the Deaf (Benilde-CEAD) organized a Workshop for Deaf Writers to support Deaf storytellers in developing storybooks that highlight Deaf experiences, creativity, and identity. The activity aimed to strengthen Deaf-led creative expression through both written and video formats.
The workshop was held on October 11, 12, and 18, 2024, at the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, and welcomed Deaf participants of varying experience levels. Meals were provided to promote a collaborative and inclusive learning environment.
The sessions were facilitated by Mr. Michael Vea, a Deaf faculty member of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) and a PhD student in Cultural Anthropology at the University of the Philippines. Mr. Vea guided participants through the process of storybook development, focusing on conceptualization, structure, and visual storytelling in Filipino Sign Language (FSL).
The workshop forms part of Benilde’s continuing effort to promote Deaf-centered education and build a platform for Deaf-led creative initiatives.
This activity is implemented under the Model Learning Institute on Deaf-Centered Education (MLITEDCE) and is supported by a grant from The Nippon Foundation.
