In the Dominican Republic, many deaf individuals face profound challenges due to limited education, isolation, and barriers to communication — even within their own families. Recognizing these needs and in an effort to help, Drs. Doug Coatsworth and Mary Held from the UT College of Social Work, along with Dr. Nicole McFarlane from the UT College of Engineering, have joined forces with Comunidad Connect, a nonprofit organization. Together, they are designing innovative tools to improve social connections and mental health for the deaf community.
Through this collaborative effort, the team is working to create solutions that foster independence, enhance communication, and provide much-needed support for this underserved population.
In the Q&A below, Drs. Coatsworth and Held share the story behind this project and their vision for its impact.
Q: What inspired you to focus on the deaf community in the Dominican Republic?
A: Our partnership with Comunidad Connect (CC) began in 2017. This nonprofit, with branches in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, invited us in 2023 to collaborate on mental health research in the Dominican Republic. During our visit in December of that year, we were introduced to their work with the deaf community.
In the Dominican Republic, the first School for the Deaf opened just 50 years ago. Many deaf individuals, especially those in areas without access to such schools, have limited education and minimal connections with others in the deaf community. Compounding this isolation, families rarely have access to sign language classes, leaving many deaf individuals unable to communicate fully even with close relatives. For instance, we met a woman in her 40s who can sign fluently, yet her mother and siblings, who live with her, communicate only through gestures and a few written words.
This communication gap has significant repercussions, including heightened isolation and mental health challenges. By working with CC and the deaf community, we aim to better understand their needs and co-develop solutions.
Q: What have been the biggest takeaways from your work so far?
A: Though we’re still in the early stages, our observations and interviews with deaf community members have highlighted two critical needs: fostering a stronger sense of community and providing opportunities for independence.
Most deaf individuals in the Dominican Republic lack regular interactions with others who know sign language and have limited opportunities to work or become self-sufficient. Many rely entirely on their families for support, raising concerns about what will happen to them when their parents are no longer able to care for them.
We also learned about the profound boredom and lack of purpose many experience due to the barriers in communication and employment. These issues, coupled with isolation and loneliness, make improving social connections and self-sufficiency urgent priorities.
Q: How do the app and sensor-based device you’re developing address these challenges?
A: We’re developing two innovative tools: a social media application and a sensor-based device, each tailored to meet the needs of the deaf community.
The app will serve as a social and educational platform specifically designed for deaf users. Unlike conventional apps, which often rely heavily on text and closed captions, this app will use sign language videos to share information and enable communication. Deaf individuals told us how current apps fail to meet their needs, especially for health and wellness content. One woman expressed frustration at not finding exercise or healthy eating videos in sign language, making existing resources inaccessible.
The second tool, a wrist sensor, detects small muscle movements to translate sign language into spoken language and vice versa. This bi-directional communication capability has the potential to bridge gaps in family interactions and open employment opportunities.
For example, Comunidad Connect plans to open a coffee shop staffed by deaf individuals. The sensor will allow them to communicate with customers without needing interpreters, expanding their career possibilities. Additionally, these sensors could address critical gaps in health care and emergency situations, where a lack of interpreters leaves deaf individuals unable to convey vital information.
Q: If your team secures funding, what’s next for this project?
A: With funding from the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, we’ll develop prototypes for pilot testing. Feedback from these trials will guide further refinements to ensure the tools are both practical and impactful. Looking ahead, we envision these technologies being adapted for other underserved communities globally. Once proven effective in the Dominican Republic, they could transform lives in other low-resource settings.
