[music] wondering how they will understand me. But don't be afraid. My interpreter will explain everything to you.Hello everyone. I'm Abdullah. As you can see, I'm an hearing and speech impaired person.I grew up deaf in a hearing world. My entire family is hearing except my younger brother who is also deaf. At home, communication was a daily struggle for me.My parents and my siblings didn't know how to sign and how to communicate with sign language. Only my mother could communicate a little, but it wasn't e ...

Communication & Inclusion - Real communication begins with effort and non-verbal cues, not just words [1] - Feeling unfamiliar or unsure is a natural part of trying new things [1] - Failure is not final; it's an opportunity to try again, think, and listen better [3] - Inclusion involves being quiet at times and recognizing small gestures [3] Project SignVerse & Impact - Project SignVerse was born from a moment of understanding and a desire to not repeat past mistakes [3] - 135 students were willing to learn sign language, demonstrating a willingness to care and try [3] - The project started with teaching basics of Indian Sign Language to 9th and 10th graders [1] Personal Growth & Reflection - It took two years to understand that inclusion is not a task to check off, but something to learn again and again [2] - The speaker initially aimed to teach Korean or the power of Mandarin, but shifted to Indian Sign Language [1] - The speaker realized the importance of being present and listening, even without sound [1]

Accessibility Challenges in the Business World - The business world is largely designed by and for hearing individuals, representing 99.9% of the ecosystem [7] - Deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing individuals often encounter "stops" or communication barriers in everyday interactions [2][6] - Access to resources like sign language interpretation for business workshops can be a significant obstacle [9][10] Navigating Ambiguity and Building Resilience - Deaf individuals often develop resilience and problem-solving skills by navigating ambiguous situations [3][4][5][7] - The ability to navigate ambiguity can be a valuable asset for deaf entrepreneurs [7] - Deaf individuals develop strategies to succeed in a hearing-dominated world [13] Deaf Habitus and Capital - Deaf habitus encompasses the norms, traditions, and values within the deaf community, with sign language as a central element [11] - Hearing capital and deaf capital represent different sets of values and skills valued by each community [15][16] - Success in the hearing market requires deaf entrepreneurs to demonstrate the capital they bring to the table [17] Entrepreneurial Journey and Leadership - Deaf entrepreneurs may face challenges due to a lack of role models and resources [8][18] - Building a personal leadership blueprint can be a solution for deaf entrepreneurs navigating the business world [20] - External influences and a strong deaf staff can provide support for deaf leaders [19]