MISSION: To advance the self-determination of signing Deaf communities through local capacity building in developing countries. VISION: Recognizing that people who are Deaf or hard of hearing have the same human rights as those who are not Deaf, DDW envisions a global community of sign language users who can acquire an education, pursue a career, and live a life that is comparable to that of their non-Deaf peers. DDW envisions itself as a positive catalyst for change in partnership with signing Deaf communities in developing countries.