Deaf Equity

     

Deaf Equity is a local, community-based non-profit organization that serves the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community through volunteerism.

Our Mission is to advance equity and access for diverse communities of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing through Education, Community Engagement, Empowerment, and Advocacy. 

What Do We Do is to serve our community through dedicated volunteer work guided by kindness and a commitment to positive impact. Our efforts embrace individuals of all ages, backgrounds and intersecting identities.

Our programs

EMPOWERMENT SERIES

The Empowerment Series are immersive cultural awareness experiences designed to foster understanding, empathy, and social change. Through dynamic partnerships with paid presenters and Deaf Equity, these programs offer powerful learning opportunities that go beyond knowledge—they inspire action and create meaningful connections across diverse communities.

Image of past presenters (left to right), Ntxhee Sua Vang, Soo Sweeney, and audience view.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND E LEARNING CLASSES

Our community education and E-learning classes are offered at free or reduced rates with 100% access. These classes are usually one to two hours long and are offered in person or online.  The goal of these workshops is that often many classes offered in mainstream society are not accessible. It is frustrating to have to constantly request access and advocate for it. Having the class offered in your native language by the community. members who are experts in the field is a significant relief, one that should not be a burden the community should have to bear.

Image of Housing workshop, Image of Power of Attorney workshop, Image of Assist Training

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Our Community Engagement efforts aim to create opportunities for all members to come together and enjoy shared experiences. These events help reduce isolation, build new relationships, and foster a sense of belonging. Many of our members have shared that they appreciate the welcoming atmosphere, the free access to events (which removes financial barriers), and the opportunity to connect with others in their native language.

Images of Fall Adventures

Images of Community Gathering and Deaf Eco System. 

ADVOCACY, TRAINING AND CONSULTATIONS

Deaf Equity offers specialized Equity & Access Training to organizations, businesses, hospitals, clinics, and dental practices throughout Minnesota. Our goal is to enhance awareness and foster greater accessibility and equity for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals within the community. Deaf Equity offers specialized Equity & Access Training to organizations, businesses, hospitals, clinics, and dental practices throughout Minnesota. Our goal is to enhance awareness and foster greater accessibility and equity for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing individuals within the community.

Image and video of CAVES 

Image of partnership with WALKER ART CENTER

MEET NAVI THE BEE 

Deaf Equity welcomes Navi the Bee, is cheerful, kind, and optimism. We spread the positive affirmations over the world. We also are teaching in education and American Sign language for families to learn together. We make joyous moments with families and Navi the Bee together. Be always bee kind yourself and others!

The background is fully summer, and had some plants and trees. The sky is full of blue and some white clouds. Navi the Bee, stands outside next to the yellow flowers. They puts their hands on their cheeks with big smile. Their eyes are blue with some white shiny. Their head is full of yellow and grey on sides of the head. Their body is black and yellow stripes with the black circle, "Be Kind & Do Good - Deaf Equity" logo on the middle of the body. Their sleeves, pants and gloves are dark grey. Their wings are light blue. Their cap is full of black, antennae, and the "Deaf Equity" logo on the front cap.

Before they puts their hands on their cheek, they teach "Flower" word in American Sign Language in Walker Art Center video.

Learn more about us at www.deafequitymn.org 

Contact us at deafequity@gmail.com 

Follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/deafequity and Instagram, www.instagram.com/deafequity

Yellow square post with black text and icons. "Bee kind and support Deaf Equity today!" Flying bee below with a trail that makes a heart halfway through. e Caption

The act of kindness has a lasting impact

We thank all our volunteers, community partners, and organizations for being part of this work!  

We, Deaf Equity, wants to thank you for your support today, tomorrow, and in the days to come. 

Migdalia Rogers          Jer Loudenback           JulieAnn Scott           Riss Leitzke          Ntxhee Sua Vang 

John Fechter                Kyle Littlepage            Krissy Foreman           Pam Burry           Jessalyn Akerman-Frank 

Del Anderson              Navi the Bee 

ID: Group of signatures of the Deaf Equity Board.