Undocumented Deaf Students Documentary

Karen Ruiz, one of our undergraduate Deaf studies majors, and Ana Miriam Barragan, Deaf Studies, Psychology, and Chicano Studies (minor) alumni, Class of 2014, produced a documentary on undocumented Deaf students as a part of their Deaf Studies coursework under Dr. William Garrow’s guidance. In the documentary, two undocumented Deaf college students were interviewed about their experiences and challenges, and the goal for the project is to educate people about their experiences as undocumented Deaf students in order to foster the development of much needed support and resources. Karen and Ana presented their documentary for the first time to a group of students and faculty on a Friday afternoon film documentary showing event in May 2014. Last month, Karen presented and showed their documentary at the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing 2014 Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Both Karen and Ana will continue to expand on their documentary and to present their work at various events and conferences. Recently, the California State University Northridge Foundation received a donation of $1,000 to support the continued development and showing of this important documentary, which will allow Ana and Karen to continue with their project. To show their gratitude, they will add donor’s name to their Special Thanks film credit. If you are interested in contributing to this project in any way, please contact the department chair, Dr. Flavia Fleischer.

Ana Barragan (left), Karen Ruiz (right)