Testimonials

The Impact of Our Tutoring Programs:

“Getting help for my children’s tutoring brings me a sense of relief and reduces my anxiety. It is comforting to know that they are getting the academic support they need. In past, I receive letters from the school reminding me of my responsibility to oversee my children’s schoolwork. These letters make me sad because I grew up with language deprivation and didn’t have the opportunity for an education. This makes it challenging for me to support my children’s academic needs effectively.

Thankfully, my children receive tutoring support on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This assistance not only helps my kids improve academically but also allows me to manage my responsibilities better. With the tutoring sessions in place, I can participate in the women’s group. Over the past year, I have developed skills such as sewing. I made small bag and pillowcases, which I am very proud of. I look forward to continuing these activities this year, enjoying the safe space with friends. I am looking forward this year of tutoring support for my children and participation in the women’s group. These opportunities not only help my children but also empower me to grow and develop skills. The combination of tutoring support for my children and the community involvement through the women’s group has had a tremendously positive impact on our lives. I am grateful for this support and optimistic about the future.”

-Mother of CODAS ( Child of Deaf Adults)

For Medical Care:

“My experience providing medical care to the community of Deaf New Americans has been incredibly rewarding. This is due to the tireless

efforts of the members of the Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. organization. Their presence during clinical encounters is critical in relaying important clinical information between members of the medical team and patients. Their outreach in the community provide support and information to patients that is invaluable. Treatment and control of serious medical conditions within the community is important to their ability to become members of our society, and is not possible without Deaf New American Advocacy Inc.”

-Dr. Archer

About Asha Laaya:

“Asha Laaya provides many benefits! When I arrived in the United States in 2018, I was diagnosed as diabetic and started treatments by taking medicine and having to monitor my glucose everyday. The information from Doctor regarding what food to eat was extremely overwhelming because what I normally ate was not listed on the doctor’s papers. Knowing what i could and could not eat was very confusing. All of the materials were in English and most were American foods. I also was often not given a culturally appropriate Deaf interpreter so I could understand my medical information. When I start working on the farm, after six months I went for a routine check at my doctor and he told me my glucose numbers were excellent and that my diabetes was gone and I no longer needed to take the medication. I have continued to keep fit and eat fresh vegetables. Working on the farm is what solved my health issues. It also gave me a place to find and give support to others to support others, like me.”

-Deaf Farmer

“I am a farmer at Asha Laaya. I have loved going to the farm my whole life . I never had the chance to go to school because I am Deaf. Instead, I have dedicated my life to working on the farm. Every day, I love the activities of the farm from planting to harvesting and also the celebrations. During the summer, I especially enjoy going to the farm with my friends. Working together on our own plots, we share laughter and hard work, making the experience fulfilling and enjoyable. Growing up without the opportunity to go to school and being Deaf added to my difficulties. However, I found solace and purpose in farming. It has been my happiness, and being able to be who I am and having work that I enjoy allows me to thrive despite the obstacles. Farming has a profound positive impact on my health. The camaraderie with friends and the satisfaction of working the land lift my spirits. The farm also provides a necessary break from caring for my family members who have health issues. This time spent outdoors with friends engaged in meaningful work, is invaluable to my well-being. Every year when harvest is over, I eagerly anticipate the next farming season. The farm is where I truly find myself, by growing and bringing home healthy vegetables. My favorite vegetables are pumpkin shoots and long gourds, and I take pride in cultivating them. Asha Laaya has been a huge blessing in my life”.

-Asha Laaya Farmer

“I arrived in America in 2012, six months pregnant. When my daughter was born, we discovered she was Deaf. As a first time mother, I was already overwhelmed and sadly most of the Doctors we saw, gave us much scary information about deafness. When I found the Deaf New Americans Group, especially Monu and Tamla, they played an essential role model and supported me on this journey. They shared with me much new information, and took the time to understand and explain and help me know the options for my child. One of the biggest forms of support that we are thankful for was the Deaf New American Advocay. Organization for their help and comfort while we were having a hard time making the decision to send my daughter to the Rochester School for the Deaf. However, watching her flourish now, we know we made the right decision for her future. As parents, we want the best for our daughter, especially since we didn’t get education in our refugee camp in Nepal. In just one year, so much has changed and been accomplished. We are forever grateful to DNAA and now we can support other parents who need help, when they learn they have a Deaf child!”.

-Amrita

For the Communication Work:

“I have great appreciation for Deaf New American Advocacy Inc.! Last year, I met a deaf refugee client with limited ASL. They had encountered many obstacles and struggles because of communication difficulties, and had been in our Albany area for several years with very little access to interpretation. Deaf New American Advocacy helped me communicate with them to understand and begin to address their problem. We had many meetings with a culturally and linguistically appropriate effective team of interpreters over zoom. Team interpreters from Deaf New Americans were absolutely essential in the process, and made great efforts to facilitate meaningful communication. We do not yet know the results of our representation, but nothing would have been possible without the help of Deaf New American Advocacy”.

-Michelle-Staff Attorney

“It can be difficult to navigate the health care system when someone has significant medical issues. That difficulty is magnified a great deal if someone has barriers to communicating. These barriers can make it much more likely that someone can get lost in the shuffle especially if they don’t have anyone to advocate for them. It makes a huge difference when someone in the Deaf New American community is connected with the team at Deaf New American Advocacy Inc. The DNAA team goes above and beyond to provide advocacy and interpreting to help that person and their family better understand their health issues and lessen the barriers so that they are able to receive the care and services they need. Deaf New American Advocacy Inc. is an invaluable resource for both sides... to assist the dialysis team (doctor, nurse, social worker, and dietitian) with communication so that we can provide better care and also to assist a patient with understanding their health issues and their role in taking care of themselves. Their warmth and caring and dedication are very clear whenever they visit the dialysis center. I have witnessed this first-hand and seen what a positive impact the DNAA team makes on a patient’s overall quality of life. I am very thankful to have Monu Chhetri and Deaf New American Advocacy Inc. to work with!”

- Amy Griffen, LMSW (Social Worker with Dialysis Clinic Inc.)

Our Mission

Testimonials