Pioneers of the Deaf Community in Chile: Actions for the Rights of Deaf Women
December 9th, 2020 1:00PM -2:15PM
This event will take place on Wednesday, December 9th from 1:00 - 2:15 pm PT/4:00 - 5:15 pm ET.
In commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. State Department is spotlighting alumni of its prestigious professional exchange program, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), who are positively shaping their communities by advocating for disability rights. These IVLP alumni will “return” to the United States to connect with their U.S. counterparts as part of the first-ever virtual Gold Star program which recognizes outstanding international alumni who have used their IVLP experience to benefit their communities.
Join us for a conversation with IVLP Gold Star Vianney Sierralta, Chile’s leading advocate and activist in the field of rights of the hearing impaired. Vianney first visited Seattle in 2017 as a participant in the Women Leaders: Drivers of Social Change IVLP. Since returning to Chile, Vianney made history in January 2020 by becoming the first deaf lawyer in Chile. She proudly states that “Chileans now have an advocate and a lawyer within the judicial system who will fight for your rights and equal opportunity for the hearing impaired both within and outside the courtroom.” Vianney has focused her efforts on helping the deaf community gain greater independence in their daily lives while educating the Chilean government, the judicial system, and the general population about the needs of deaf men, women, and children.
About the Speaker
Vianney Sierralta is the founder and president of the Nellie Zabel Foundation dedicated to the empowerment of deaf women in Chile. Vianney also works as a lawyer at the Deaf People Support Center (CAPS Chile) providing legal advice and representation to deaf people in situations of vulnerability and low economic resources. She is currently implementing a project with Skadden Foundation and DLAW to develop a series of videos that are informing people about the rights of deaf people during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a leading expert on disability rights, Vianney conducts training for members of the national judicial academy while collaborating with the judicial branch on policies that promote equal access to the justice system for the hearing impaired.