Due to the lack of disability awareness in communities within Guinea, Africa, as well as the lack of equal opportunity for education when one has a disability, this organization aspires to establish a program in the U.S. and Guinea that raises awareness and promotes the acceptance of African women with disabilities, particularly hearing impairments. At the forefront of this enterprise will be a sc
hool for the deaf, where children with hearing impairments and related/secondary disabilities can gain a quality education within an accepting and accessible community, giving them hope for a better future. The purpose of this page is to introduce this foundation to you. The motivation behind this project comes from the founder's personal struggles and triumphs, particularly through her experience living as a person with a disability in a world that is not always so accepting. The founder of this organization, Fatu Sheriff, had the opportunity to learn to advocate and teach people about her deafness, achieving empowerment and esteem through education. We want to provide others with the same opportunity for success. We are here to guide people by providing resources, education, advice, and opportunity. We want to help those with special needs reach their full potential. We are eager to engage in any work that will provide us with the opportunity to empower other women with disabilities. Fatu Sheriff (founder) is available to speak to other women with varying disabilities about their futures. We also wish to help others analyze the notion and use of the label "disabled" and influence the general public to see people with disabilities for who we really are — strong, ABLE individuals. We are hoping for support in sustaining this start-up and carrying out the mission of this nonprofit organization. Whether you can contribute financially as a donor, promote us as an outreach worker, train others about accessibility and acceptance, or advocate for the disabled and disability awareness, we would fully appreciate your contributions. Donate your time, money, or mind to helping us turn this dream into a reality! I-DEAF, the International Deaf Education Alliance Foundation, Inc., a U.S.- and Africa-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering the deaf through education, worldwide.
