Over tea at the Ambassador’s Residence on January 4, Deputy Chief of Mission Brian McFeeters welcomed 10 young deaf Americans and their eight Indonesian counterparts participating in the first deaf exchange conducted by Embassy Jakarta. The Deputy Chief of Mission acknowledged that these 10 prominent and successful Americans, including a lawyer, a doctor, a professional athlete, and a White House staff member, are an example of what can be possible for deaf individuals in Indonesia, particularly with the assistance of legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act and through the future leadership of the deaf Indonesian delegates.
The 18 participants, with their interpreters, will visit deaf communities and organizations throughout Indonesia for the next two weeks and continue exploring disability issues for another two weeks later in June in the United States.
