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accessibility in Beijing . As a young adult who was a wheelchair user , the trip was an eyeopener for both Amy and Aaron in an area of immense need . Thus began the journey of advocacy for Amy within China . For Kathryn , this meant finally finding someone who was just as passionate , dedicated , and determined to make a difference in the world .
An area of mutual expertise for both is in working with individuals who are Deaf , with both being fluent in American Sign Language and having strong connections to the Deaf community . This connection has strengthened their passion for working on a global stage . They have organized and led delegations to China for teachers and administrators from schools for the Deaf in the U . S . In June of 2018 , they collaborated with Changchun University on hosting a conference on Deaf education and employment in China . In addition , they facilitated a panel presentation of delegation members at the U . S . Embassy to a room filled with Deaf adults from Beijing . An outcome of this delegation was the initiation of the “ U . S . China Deaf School Project .” To support this initiative , the first cohort of Chinese student interns who were Deaf came to the U . S . to teach Chinese sign language and culture at three schools for the Deaf . This pilot team was supported by SCSU Visiting Scholar Xiaorong Zhou , who is Deaf . She has been researching and studying the teaching and learning of American Sign Language to help develop the learning of Chinese Sign Language . Kathryn , Amy , and Xiaorong have also been collaboratively researching the development of Chinese sign language interpreter education and certification in China , seeking partners for advancing this area of critical need within China .
Foundational to their continued work is advancing knowledge and understanding of the U . N . Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the U . N . Sustainable
Development Goals . With an emphasis on SDG # 17 , revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development , Kathryn and Amy have worked hard to develop a strong network of partners to support their work , including The Harkin Institute . Through this connection , Amy served as one of the first George H . W . Bush Fellows in 2018 , during which time she was able to complete her sabbatical in China researching Deaf education . The other George H . W . Bush Fellow was SCSU Visiting Scholar Dr . Xuan Zheng , who is also Deaf and the first Deaf person in China to earn a Ph . D . from a Chinese higher education institution , Fudan University . The opportunity for Amy to have dedicated time to research and study Deaf education in China contributed to and complimented the dissertation Kathryn completed 20 years
earlier . Kathryn and Amy have also become highly involved in working with the Zero Project Conference , based in Vienna , presenting their collaborative work and research since 2018 at the United Nations . In addition , the involvement
Senator Tom Harkin ( ret .) and Dr . Johnson and Xiaorong Zhou at the US State Department for a meeting with the Office of International Disability Rights representatives .