Promoting Sign Language in Deaf Education!
Fundraising campaign by
Melissa Angus
-
US$993.00raised of $993.00 goal goal
Hello everyone! I am a PhD student in the University of Puerto Rico that is very interested in sign language linguistics and Deaf education. Most of my research revolves around sign language acquisition, sign language in Deaf education, and language contact in Deaf communities (usually communities in the Caribbean, but at times in the US as well).
Recently, I was accepted to present my MA thesis, The Importance of Early Sign Language Acquisition for d/Deaf Infants (I placed an image of the title page below), as a workshop in the Deaf Education Conference to be held in Indianapolis on June 22-24. This opportunity means a great deal to me for two major reasons:
- One of my goals for writing this thesis was to promote early sign language acquisition for d/Deaf children. My thesis is a collection of research that supports early sign language acquisition for the academic, linguistic, and emotional development of d/Deaf individuals, something that is not highly promoted outside of academia. Being able to present my research to an audience of Deaf educators will help me achieve this goal, as they are one major contributor to this cause.
- Because there are no classes in my department that explicitly teach Deaf education or sign language linguistics (I can only take those classes as electives from a different department), the opportunity to attend a conference that is dedicated to Deaf studies is invaluable to me. It will allow me to (a) make contacts, (b) learn a great deal of the current state of Deaf education and sign language linguistics, and (c) receive 10.5 hours of professional development which will help advance my career in academia.
The total cost of this trip thus far is of $993 and includes the following:
- Hotel
accommodation is
$349.44.
- Ground
transportation estimates (Uber estimate from and to airport, screenshot of
estimate below):
$80.
- The
flight to Indianapolis, IN costs
$260.
- The
flight home from Indianapolis, IN costs:
$223.
- Food/miscellaneous expenses: $80 (this would include dinners Wednesday-Saturday and unexpected expenses).
- Total: 992.44.
I sincerely appreciate any help that you may provide! I have added some modest incentives for you if you donate $10, $20, or $30+. Below is the title page of my thesis (signatures and all) and an image of me presenting previous research:
This campaign has almost reached its goal. If you would like to help me further, please visit my second GoGetFunding Campaign for another conference trip: https://assets.gogetfunding.com/destination-toronto-prese...
Rewards
Personalized postcard from Indianapolis, the location of the conference.
If you donate this amount I am willing to share handouts provided in my presentation.
If you donate this amount I am willing to share all audiovisual materials used in the presentation, such as handouts, the presentation, and videos.
If you donate this amount I am willing to share all audiovisual materials used in the presentation as well as a recording of my presentation and a letter of ackwnoedgements.
If you donate this amount I am willing to share all audiovisual materials used in the presentation, a recording of the presentation, a letter of appreciation and formal acknowledgements during the presentation.
Organizer
- Melissa Angus
- Campaign Owner
- PR
I am a PhD student in the University of Puerto Rico. I do research on sign language linguistics as well as Deaf studies in general.
I am a PhD student in the University of Puerto Rico. I do research on sign language linguistics as well as Deaf studies in general.
Donors
- Danilo Giordano
- Donated on Apr 17, 2017
- Guest
- Donated on Apr 17, 2017
Fully Funded! YAY
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 01:06 amI just wanted to thank all of my backers. This experience is certainly going to be of great importance for my career. I am very thankful that I will have the opportunity to go, and I hope to share my experience with all my backers after the conference. If you
Almost Fully Funded. Thanks!
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 01:03 pmI am so thankful that so many have helped me fund this amazing experience of presenting my MA thesis. I am eternally grateful. I hope that many of you will also be able to help me present another paper of mine "Language Planning: The Curious Case of Sign Language in
Over 85% Funded, Many Thanks!
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 08:46 pmI never expected to get this much support for a conference. I have always either gotten funds through my university or saved for months to be able to present my work. I am VERY grateful that so many have made donations, big or small, as they all helped me so. . . . .
Change of Estimated Funding Required
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 01:20 pmI want to start by staying that I will supposedly receive a refund of the registration fee (but it has yet to arrive) due to being awarded free registration. I have also added the expenses of my flight back (which include staying an extra two nights at a hotel than. . . . .
Special Shoutouts to my Backers
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 11:57 amI want to start by thanking all of my new backers, but I would like to give a major shoutout to my most contributing donors (those who donated 50+): (1) my dad, Harry Angus, (2) my cousin, Gian Higuera, (3) my professor, Prof. A. Pousada and (4) my old friend,
Many Thanks
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 12:39 pmI wanted to take time to thank my new two backers and all of my friends and family that have shared the link to my campaign on social media. I am now 25% funded and have managed to pay the registration fee for the conference (and in time to pay
Flight Info
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 07:51 pmI have added the price for the airfare TO the conference ($260), information I did not have when I created the campaign. I do not have the flight back, but I don't think I will add it. I am already asking (and receiving!) so much, I would not want to
My First Backer
Update posted by Melissa Angus at 06:25 pmI want to thank my father for being the first to pledge on my campaign! With that, I have the Uber from and to the airport covered as well as partially covering something else. As always: greatly appreciated!
Donors & Comments
- George Angus
- Donated on Apr 18, 2017
Good luck Melissa! May you achieve your dreams, love Uncle George and Auntie Josie
- Danilo Giordano
- Donated on Apr 17, 2017
- Guest
- Donated on Apr 17, 2017
- Lilymar Collazo
- Donated on Apr 16, 2017
- Anonymous
- Donated on Apr 16, 2017
- Niki
- Donated on Apr 16, 2017
Not much but dream on girl, yo voy a ti
- Juan Sepulveda
- Donated on Apr 15, 2017
- Alejandro Vega
- Donated on Apr 15, 2017
You got this!
- Anonymous
- Donated on Apr 15, 2017
- David Baez
- Donated on Apr 15, 2017
Thank you for showing interest in the development in education for the sign language community. Your research will create awareness and debate that not only will improve their educational opportunities, but also, will help them attain full inclusion and expression in our society. Keep up the good work!
Good luck Melissa! May you achieve your dreams, love Uncle George and Auntie Josie