Conservation Opportunity coordinates dynamic and fun activities related to fishing and environmental conservation through the Latino Conservation Week initiative..
[July 24, 2023 - Puerto Rico] During July 22, 2023, the non-profit organization Conservation Opportunity (CO) coordinated the “Hookeate con la Pesca!” activity, which is part of the “Latino Conservation Week” initiative, led by Hispanic Access Foundation (HAF) to hold and celebrate the second inclusive event for the deaf community at the Wildlife Refuge, Embalse Guajataca in San Sebastián. Thirty-two people participated in this activity, with the collaboration of non-profit organizations and companies such as Para la Naturaleza (PLN), Finca Martinet, Holsum and the Department of Natural Resources. Sign language interpreters were also provided by the corporation Advancement in Sign Language Education & Services.
In this event, dynamic and recreational activities were offered totally free of charge. These consisted of:
- Fishing workshop for beginners
- Fishing competitions
- Free tree distribution
- Artistic workshop with flowers
- Information desks
“It was a wonderful experience and to see them interested and enjoying themselves is my greatest satisfaction,” said María Irizarry González, interim management officer of the Wildlife Refuge. “It has even motivated me to at least have a basic knowledge so that if someone comes to the facilities I can guide them and make them feel good,” she added.
Recognition of the needs of the deaf community
“Through Conservation Opportunity and the Latino Conservation Week initiative, I have been able to meet, collaborate and connect with the Deaf community here in Puerto Rico at outdoor events that include sign language interpreters. The Deaf community in Puerto Rico is a marginalized community that lacks access to a wide range of issues. This motivated me to at least try to raise awareness of the issue and be inclusive in my environmental programming by making our initiatives accessible by providing sign language interpretation at least once a year, when funding is available. Last year we had a similar event with the community but related to the issue of the agroecology”said CO's founder, Fabiola Torres.
According to the Government of Puerto Rico's Institute of Statistics, the 8.4% of the adult population on the island identifies itself as deaf or hard of hearing. Likewise, according to a survey conducted in 2022, within the totally deaf population, a 86% of respondents reported feeling discriminated against frequently.
“In Puerto Rico there are approximately 289,000 deaf people who are currently deprived of information and do not have accessibility due to the lack of interpreters in outdoor activities, something necessary for them to have that information in sign language, which is the first language of many,” Torres added.
According to another statistic, from the Institute of Statistics, focused on the needs of the deaf community, the main methods of communication used by the fully deaf population are lip-reading (83%) and sign language (64%).
