Global Context

The Deaf community represents a vibrant linguistic and cultural minority, often misunderstood through a narrow, medical lens. Unlike the medical model of disability, which views "Deafness" as an individual impairment to be cured or fixed, the Deaf community embraces a socio-cultural perspective. From this viewpoint, being Deaf is not a deficit but a facet of human diversity, enriched by shared experiences, values, and a unique visual-gestural language. This cultural identity is central to organizations like the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), which champion the human, civil, and linguistic rights of Deaf individuals worldwide. Their advocacy highlights that barriers to full participation are not inherent to Deafness itself but rather arise from societal structures and attitudes that fail to provide equitable access and recognition. Surrency Corporation is dedicated to supporting the Deaf community and these important Deaf-centered organizations.

Sign languages are the cornerstone of Deaf culture, serving as fully-fledged, natural languages with their own distinct grammar, syntax, and regional variations. Just as there are thousands of spoken languages, there are numerous national sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL) in the United States, each reflective of its community's history and evolution. These are not universal; however, a communication system known as International Sign (IS) exists. IS is not a complete language but rather a unique pidgin or "translanguaging practice" used in international settings where Deaf individuals from different linguistic backgrounds come together.

Sign Language interpreters work in both IS and in national sign languages. The World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) works with WFD to accredit IS interpreters. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) accredits interpreters who work in American Sign Language, the national sign language of the United States (as well as most of Canada and many other countries). WASLI, WFD, RID, and national interpreter organizations play vital roles in facilitating communication and promoting professional standards for interpreters, ensuring that language access is a right, not a privilege. Dr. Surrency is accredited to work in IS by WFD/WASLI. He is certified by RID to work in ASL. He also holds a special certification from RID to engage in interpretation in legal contexts. We work only with other interpreters who hold similar endorsements. 

Surrency Corporation's primary aim is to support the global disability rights movement. This movement is heavily influenced by the WFD, NAD, WASLI, RID and numerous disabled persons' organizations (DPOs). The movement operates on the powerful principle of "Nothing About Us Without Us." This slogan asserts that no policy or decision should be made about a group without their full and direct participation. It is a direct repudiation of the medical model's paternalistic approach, advocating instead for self-determination and the lived experience of disabled people to guide policy. This philosophy is deeply embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a landmark human rights treaty that the WFD and the International Disability Alliance (IDA) were instrumental in developing and continue to champion. The CRPD recognizes sign languages, promotes accessibility, and affirms the human rights of all persons with disabilities, shifting the paradigm from one of charity and medical intervention to one of rights, dignity, and inclusion. It is within this broader disability-rights context that Surrency Corporation operates.