Deaf Refugee Advocacy in Rochester

08/24/2026

Passionate about education?

DRA is looking for a Part-time Instructor to work with deaf adults across our community. This includes people who moved to the USA from other countries as well as those born and raised here.

Topics we teach include Digital Literacy, Job Readiness, ASL, English and more. Lessons are offered one-on-one and in group settings.
Want to learn more?

All the details, including how to apply, are on our website.

DeafRefugeeAdvocacy.org/careers

07/21/2026

Want to feel confident staying safe and protecting your information online?

Our Digital Literacy initiative covers "Online Safety & Security", including recognizing scams, online banking safety, spotting phishing, creating strong passwords, setting up two-factor authentication, and more. We can teach you how to recognize threats and keep your information safe.

Want to sign up or learn more? Give us a call at 585-286-3440, email us at [email protected], or visit our Digital Literacy page.

https://www.deafrefugeeadvocacy.org/services/education/digital-literacy

[Video Description]

A SPOKESPERSON stands in a classroom with a whiteboard behind her. The words "Everything is easier when you" are written on it. A title card at the top of the video reads "DIGITAL LITERACY: ONLINE SAFETY & SECURITY."

SPOKESPERSON (signing): "Do you want to learn more about Online Safety & Security? For example..."

The scene cuts to a MAN sitting at a table, browsing on his laptop.

The camera moves to show the back of the man as he looks at his screen. A popup alert appears on the laptop screen.

The camera cuts to a close-up of the screen showing the alert. It reads:

"MICROSOFT SECURITY ALERT

Your computer has been blocked

Your computer has been infected with a virus and spyware. The following data may have been stolen:

Banking information and credit card details

Email account login and passwords

Facebook and social media logins

Personal photos and files

Do not close this window or restart your computer.

Call Microsoft Support immediately: 1-800-642-7676"

The camera cuts back to the man from behind, startled, hands raised.

The camera cuts to the front of the man, visibly panicked.

MAN (signing): "Virus?! What am I going to do?!"

The scene cuts to Spokesperson, seated at her office desk. Contact information appears on screen above her: (585) 286-3440 and [email protected].

SPOKESPERSON (signing): "Do you want to learn how to protect your laptop from viruses, protect your private information on apps such as health or bank apps, recognize scams, and set up a password on your laptop, phone, or other devices? Do you want to learn how to stay safe online and protect everything you value? Go ahead and contact us!"

07/01/2026

06/30/2026

Want to feel confident finding the right information online and navigating websites and apps with ease?

Our Digital Literacy initiative covers "Internet Navigation", including how to search the web effectively, managing browser tabs and windows, using public transportation apps, finding reliable news and information online. We can teach you what works best for you.

Want to sign up or learn more? Give us a call at 585-286-3440, email us at [email protected], or visit our Digital Literacy page.

https://www.deafrefugeeadvocacy.org/services/education/digital-literacy

[Video Description]

A SPOKESPERSON stands in a classroom with a whiteboard behind her. The words "Everything is easier when" are written on it. A title card at the top of the video reads "DIGITAL LITERACY: INTERNET NAVIGATION."

SPOKESPERSON (signing): "Want to learn about Internet Navigation? For example..."

The scene cuts to a WOMAN standing at a bus stop, looking at her phone.

WOMAN (signing): "Which number?"

She looks up at the bus stop sign, which reads "6 North Goodman" and "8 East Main."

WOMAN (signing): "I'm still confused!"

She turns toward something off-screen and waves.

WOMAN (signing): "Maybe that bus... Hey! Excuse me!"

She runs out of frame.

The scene cuts to Woman walking into a different bus stop. She looks around, then checks her phone.

WOMAN (signing): "Wrong place..."

She puts a hand on her hip, looking frustrated.

The scene cuts to Spokesperson, seated at her office desk. Contact information appears on screen above her: (585) 286-3440 and [email protected].

SPOKESPERSON (signing): "It's scary to get lost! It shouldn't have to happen! We can teach you how to navigate the internet and phone apps, so you can find the right bus, find reliable websites, and stay safe online. Do you want us to teach you how? Contact us!"

06/18/2026

Do you have a phone, tablet, or other device and don’t know how to set it up or use it?

Our Digital Literacy initiative covers “Devices & Basic Operations”, including computer and smartphone basics, connecting to Wi-Fi, installing apps, wearables, and more. We can teach you what works best for you.

Want to sign up or learn more? Give us a call at 585-286-3440, email us at [email protected], or visit our Digital Literacy page.

https://www.deafrefugeeadvocacy.org/services/education/digital-literacy

[Video Description]

A SPOKESPERSON stands in a classroom with a whiteboard behind her. The words “Everything is easier” are written on it. A title card at the top of the video reads “DIGITAL LITERACY: DEVICES & BASIC OPERATIONS.”

SPOKESPERSON (signing): “Want to learn more about devices, their basic operations and uses? For example…”

The scene cuts to a living room. A WOMAN sits on a couch with a purse beside her.

WOMAN (signing): “I’m so excited! I just got a new smartwatch!”

She reaches into her purse and pulls out the smartwatch, then signs:

WOMAN (signing): “Uh oh… How do I set it up? I need help…”

The camera cuts to Friend.

FRIEND (signing): “Hey! You know that DRA will teach you how?”

The camera cuts back to Woman.

WOMAN (signing): “Now I can set up health information, get e-mail notifications, appointment reminders, and set up tap payments. So excited!”

The scene cuts to Spokesperson, now seated at her office desk.

SPOKESPERSON (signing): “You feel the same? You got devices, such as a smartwatch, tablet, phone, or laptop, and don’t understand how it operates or struggle with using it? Don’t worry, we can teach you how! You will understand clearly. Go ahead and contact us!”

06/12/2026

We are proud to share that our Casework Coordinator, Andrea Oppedisano, wrote an article that has been published in The Resource, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center ( NSVRC ) 2026 online magazine special issue on disability, ableism, sexual violence, and healthy sexuality.

Her article, "Beyond Silence: How Language Deprivation Increases Sexual Violence Vulnerability Among Deaf Refugees," examines how language deprivation creates compounded vulnerability for Deaf refugees and what systemic change is needed to address it.

Read the full article:

https://www.nsvrc.org/blog_post/beyond-silence-how-language-deprivation-increases-sexual-violence-vulnerability-among-deaf-refugees/

Guest Author May 28, 2026 Guest Blog Author: Andrea Oppedisano, Deaf advocate and Casework Coordinator at a Deaf Refugee Advocacy, Inc. The Foundation: Language Deprivation and Human Development Language and education fundamentally shape how we experience and perceive the world from birth through ev...

06/05/2026

Did you know that your phone or computer can help you communicate with hearing people in real time?

Our Digital Literacy initiative covers "Deaf Accessibility and Resources", which includes captioning tools, Video Relay Services, finding ASL content online, and more. We can help you find what works best for you.

Want to learn more? Give us a call at 585‑286‑3440 or visit our Digital Literacy page.

https://www.deafrefugeeadvocacy.org/services/education/digital-literacy



[Video Description]

A blonde woman with long hair wearing a dress with a casual business suit is in a classroom with a white board behind her with the words, "Everything is" written on it. A title card at the top of the video reads "DIGITAL LITERACY: DEAF ACCESSIBILITY AND RESOURCES."

DEAF WOMAN (signing) "Do you want to learn more about deaf accessibility and resources?"

A man in a cap, work jeans, sweater, and tool belt approaches the office entrance and rings the bell. The door opens as a man with black curly hair, a button-up shirt, and one hand (right) answers in sign language:

DEAF MAN: (signing) “How can I help you?”

The hearing man begins to speak. The deaf man realizes this man doesn't sign, he raises a hand asking him to hold on. He pulls out his phone and holds it near the hearing man, gesturing for him to speak into it. The hearing man leans in slightly and speaks.

On the phone screen, text populates in real time: "I came to fix..."

The words continue, then grow too small to read. The deaf man reads the screen, nods and steps aside as he opens the door wider, welcoming the hearing man in.

DEAF WOMAN from the beginning returns on screen: (signing) "Do you want to know how? Contact us!”

Contact information appears on screen: (585) 286-3440 and [email protected].

05/27/2026

Exciting news! We thank the Deaf Organizations Fund (DOF) for awarding us $20,000 to expand our Digital Literacy instruction initiative.

Our instruction now offers more topics and more flexibility. Our instructors can meet you at your home, library, coffee shop, or wherever works for you. You decide!

We teach:

• Online Safety & Security
• Social Media & Online Presence
• Internet Navigation
• Devices & Basic Operations
• And more!

Questions or want to sign up? Visit our Digital Literacy page to learn more and contact us.

https://www.deafrefugeeadvocacy.org/services/education/digital-literacy

05/04/2026

Big news!

Rochester Area Community Foundation awarded us $25,000 to support our year-end operations. United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes just awarded us $50,000 for 2027, marking three consecutive years of support!

This support means we can keep showing up for deaf refugees, immigrants, and the deaf community in Monroe County. Thank you, RACF and United Way!