News

When the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in 2020, Deaf Reach had to adapt rapidly and innovate to ensure continuity and safeguard our decades of hard work building education for deaf children and youths in Pakistan. The year was spent learning and developing distance learning. Navigating the pandemic and working to ensure the best possible outcomes for our staff and students at Deaf Reach Schools, as well as the beneficiaries of the Eduserve Program, proved to be very challenging.

The Eduserve team had to shift from their model of hands-on training sessions in the heart of communities and educational institutes to hosting their programs online. They successfully made the transition, and were able to impact thousands of participants and community members. In addition, they conducted an online symposium for university students and faculty that focused on diversity, tolerance and peacebuilding.

The biggest challenge we faced during the closures of our Deaf Reach Schools was how to care for our deaf students’ education and prevent erosion of their language skills. With generous support from key donors, we set up an in-house studio and the Deaf Reach team began the process of digitizing a large repository of curricular resources in Pakistan Sign Language (PSL). Our students were supplied with refurbished low-cost laptops, and we delivered the digital content monthly during the entire lockdown period. Thus, this time of adversity has birthed a new and innovative program that has set the tone for the future of Deaf Education in Pakistan.

For more information, read our Annual Report 2020 – 2021

When the Covid-19 pandemic emerged in 2020, Deaf Reach had to adapt rapidly and innovate to ensure continuity and safeguard our decades of hard work building education for deaf children and youths in Pakistan. The year was spent learning and developing distance learning.

Deaf Reach is delighted to announce that 18 of our young scholars from our Karachi and Rashidabad campuses achieved A1 Grade (distinction) in the Higher Secondary (HSC 2) final year board exams.

For most of these students, their academic journey began over a decade ago at Deaf Reach. Enrolled in the primary education and vocational training programs, the students were nurtured in a holistic learning environment. To support their continued learning, Deaf Reach initiated a Parent Training Program to teach Pakistan Sign Language (PSL), foster deaf culture and solve any learning and behavioral challenges faced at home.

As the students progressed in their classes, the Deaf Reach Program evolved to cater to higher education. All 18 graduates will continue their education journey by enrolling in the Deaf Reach Bachelor of Arts Program in the next term. We are extremely proud of our students and their teachers for this great accomplishment.

Deaf Reach is delighted to announce that 18 of our young scholars from our Karachi and Rashidabad campuses achieved A1 Grade (distinction) in the Higher Secondary (HSC 2) final year board exams. All 18 graduates will continue their education journey by enrolling in the Deaf Reach Bachelor of Arts Program in the next term. We are extremely proud of our students and their teachers for this great accomplishment.

The First Lady of Pakistan, Mrs. Samina Alvi, was warmly welcomed by our students and staff on her recent visit to the Deaf Reach Sukkur Campus. While touring the facility, she interacted with the students in basic sign language to find out about their experiences in the classroom. Her visit of the campus included a tour of both the academic and vocational training facilities.

The First Lady has been a strong advocate for the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities and has reiterated that Pakistan is committed to greater inclusivity for all people with disabilities. Her visit to the Deaf Reach Sukkur Campus was a follow-up to her participation in the webinar hosted by Deaf Reach on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in December 2020.

The First Lady’s goal is to foster awareness and highlight the work being done to facilitate inclusivity across all spheres in Pakistan – in education, digital literacy, healthcare, in the workplace, access to government services, not only physically but digitally as well.

The First Lady of Pakistan, Mrs. Samina Alvi, was warmly welcomed by our students and staff on her recent visit to the Deaf Reach Sukkur Campus. While touring the facility, she interacted with the students in basic sign language to find out about their experiences in the classroom. Her visit of the campus included a tour of both the academic and vocational training facilities.

Our state-of-the-art Deaf Reach Lahore Campus celebrated its first year of operation. The Campus is located in Township, Lahore and currently accommodates a total of 115 students.

The Lahore Deaf Reach School and Training Center is spread across an area of 5,000 sq. yards, and covers academic and vocational costs for its beneficiaries, as well as providing pick-up and drop-off transportation for students within a 50 km. radius. Students also receive a healthy lunch, books, stationery, uniforms, and participate in extracurricular events.

During its first year of operation, the Deaf Reach Lahore job placement program assisted 136 deaf young adults to acquire gainful employment at Sapphire Textile, Indus Home, and IGI Life Insurance, in addition to the 100+ jobs already provided by KFC in the Punjab.

Our state-of-the-art Deaf Reach Lahore Campus celebrated its first year of operation. The Campus is located in Township, Lahore and currently accommodates a total of 115 students.