The target audiences for “Dante’s Story” are multicultural, both far-reaching and niche:

• People interested in inspiring stories of deep relationship that lead to awakenings and transformation. 

• Indigenous and disability human rights interest groups in Peru and internationally.

• Deaf communities in Peru and U.S., including deaf educators, Peru’s Ministry of Education, families and friends of deaf, interpreters. 

• Hearing parents of deaf children: Grassroots messages, such as: acceptance, learning sign language with their deaf child for relationship and support.

• Niche: Q’eros community. Awareness-raising about disabilities within indigenous communities. 

This documentary aims to be a catalyst for dialogue about educational issues, obstacles, language accessibility, change, empowerment, human rights, communication, and related issues.

Accessibility

The final version of the documentary will be accessible in five languages:

• LSP (Lengua de Señas Peruanas/Peruvian Sign Language)

• ASL (American Sign Language)

• Spanish and English subtitles 

• Quechua voiceover

These languages are integral to the story and the audiences who will view it. Dante himself has lived all languages: From a Quechua culture birth (exposed to lifestyle but no language access), then LSP as his first sign language, some written Spanish and now ASL and English.

Interpreters will be used for LSP and ASL in interpreting boxes on the screen. LSP interpreter is Judit Santillana, Peruvian deaf education specialist and interpreter, featured in the documentary. ASL interpreter is Fiorela Agusti, a trilingual interpreter (ASL, Spanish, English) originally from Peru now residing in Austin, who understands the deaf systems in both Peru and the U.S. Fiorela is also the mother of a deaf son.

Options of English and Spanish subtitles will be provided. The English version is translated by Holly Wissler, Spanish by Fiorela Agusti. 

Quechua will be voice-over as most monolingual Quechua speakers rely only on the oral, not written, system of communication. Gina Maldonado, Quechua tutor who worked closely on the Q’eros songs with Holly and the Q’eros during her dissertation writing, will do the Quechua translation and voice-over.

Distribution

Holly Wissler’s connections in the U.S. with the Deaf community, ethnomusicology, anthropology, visual anthropology, indigenous studies, and disability studies. 

Screenings in Lima, Cusco, Q’eros, and other parts of Peru, via schools, NGOs, the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Peruvian National Television, and public venues. 

One-on-one showings for grassroots reach. 

Through the distribution audience of our Peruvian collaborators “Mercado Central.” 

Distribution avenues range from: 

Gallaudet University Videolibrary Archive, Washington, D.C.  The only higher education institution in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

World Federation of the Deaf worldwide network

National Association of the Deaf (U.S.) network 

Film festivals – general and ones that target themes: Indigenous, Disabilities, Inner transformation.