In the heart of Miraflores, Lima, resides a woman whose life’s journey echoes resilience, activism, and boundless dedication to advancing the rights of the deaf community. Meet Susana Stiglich, a visionary educator, activist, and the driving force behind numerous initiatives aimed at empowering deaf individuals not only in Peru but on a global scale.
Susana’s story is one of triumph over adversity. At the tender age of one and a half, she became deaf to meningitis. Undeterred by this profound challenge, she embarked on a remarkable journey of communication and discovery. Initially learning to navigate the world through lip-reading and spoken language, Susana’s trajectory took a transformative turn when she enrolled at Gallaudet University in the United States. Here, she immersed herself in American Sign Language (ASL), laying the foundation for her fluency in Peruvian Sign Language, ASL, and International Sign.
Raised in a diplomatic household, Susana’s upbringing transcended geographical boundaries, instilling in her a profound appreciation for diversity and cultural richness. These formative experiences endowed her with resilience, independence, and an unwavering commitment to championing the rights of marginalized communities.
Today, Susana Stiglich stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment for the deaf community. As the president of the Fundación Personas Sordas del Perú and the Sign Language Rights Officer at the World Federation of the Deaf, she spearheads initiatives that promote inclusivity, equality, and accessibility. Her multifaceted role extends to academia, where she imparts her expertise as a professor of Peruvian Sign Language at two esteemed universities in Lima.
Susana’s impact transcends borders. Her visionary leadership has led to groundbreaking developments in the realm of deaf rights advocacy. Notably, she played a pivotal role in advocating for legislation recognizing Peruvian Sign Language—a landmark achievement that catalyzed transformative changes within Peru’s deaf community.
In addition to her advocacy work, Susana is known for her recent and innovative training programs focused on human rights and sign language rights. One such initiative saw her develop a comprehensive workshops conducted across six Asian countries, delivering invaluable insights in International Sign and empowering local communities to advocate for their rights.
Among Susana’s recent accomplishments is the publication of the “Guidelines for Sign Language Rights,” a seminal advocacy toolkit developed in collaboration with the World Federation of the Deaf. This pioneering resource promises to shape discourse and policy surrounding sign language rights globally, amplifying the voices of deaf communities worldwide.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Susana remains deeply engaged in social media, utilizing platforms like Twitter with the handle @sustiwa to amplify her message of inclusion and empowerment.
Susana Stiglich’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, empathy, and unwavering dedication. Through her tireless advocacy and visionary leadership, she continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society—one where the voices of the deaf community are not only heard but celebrated.
Published by: Khy Talara
