New Jagna Dormitory for the Deaf

Among the five IDEA dormitories in Bohol, the dorm in the town of Jagna is the only one not situated on the school premises. Students in Jagna walk back and forth between their dorm to get to meals and classes. While the distance to the dorm is not more than 600 meters from the school grounds, walking off campus causes …

Sign Language Class for the Local Government in Jagna

Visiting a local government office is often challenging for the Deaf. Some Deaf are courageous enough to overcome the communication barrier with basic gestures while many decide to avoid the difficulties of public communication altogether. The unfortunate reality is that the communication gap isolates many Deaf from the public. As advocates for our Deaf brothers and sisters, IDEA knows that …

Loon Parents

Parents Sign Language Class

Claudio thought that all he needed to communicate with his Deaf son were basic gestures and body language. When his son enrolled in school and learned sign language, Claudio soon realized how much he was missing. Claudio’s son, Dayjhay, actually had a lot to say, and Claudio could now see how limited their communication really was. Even though Dayjhay can …

Christmas 2017 Newsletter

Here is IDEA’s  Christmas 2017 Newsletter.

Cheer Dance Blue Team

BDA Intramural Games 2017

It had been a tense few weeks, and the pressure was building at Bohol Deaf Academy (BDA) as students pushed through challenging projects and exams. One sunny day on September 26, 2017, the atmosphere suddenly changed from one of intense pressure to excitement. Maricel leapt into the sunshine with eager eyes and a wide grin. As a freshman student, Maricel …

BDA Culminates Buwan ng Wika

Joross and Glenda have been very excited for August to come. Both of them spent their weekends searching for the best traditional Filipino attire to wear for their school culmination activity during the National Language Month celebration. Joross and Glenda are both in the 7th grade and this was their first opportunity to participate in such a celebration with other …

Changing the Fate of a Deaf “House help”

An IDEA documentary, named “Amang,” follows the story of a nine-year-old Deaf named Aires. Like so many Deaf children growing up in the Philippines, she did not attend school. Instead, she stayed home to do chores like washing clothes and taking care of her younger siblings. Education for a Deaf child was simply out of reach for her family. Aires’ …

Hard Work Pays Off

  The students were beaming with self-fulfillment as they received their graduation diplomas and achievement awards. Their parents couldn’t keep their eyes dry as they recalled the countless sacrifices that gave the moment special meaning. Their teachers’ faces lit up to see their students achieving a great milestone in their lives. The Commencement, or Moving Up Ceremony, for Bohol Deaf …