History

Empowering Deaf Women Across Communities

DEWA, formerly known as the Asian Deaf Women’s Association, was founded in 1992 with the support of the London Borough of Newham. It was created in response to a clear gap in services for Deaf women who used Asian sign languages and faced barriers to culturally and linguistically appropriate support. Many of these women were vulnerable, isolated, and excluded from mainstream services.

From its early days, the charity has worked to break down these barriers – enabling Deaf women to take part in cultural and religious celebrations that were previously inaccessible due to the lack of sign language provision. These events not only fostered inclusion but also created vital social opportunities, drawing participants from across the UK and inspiring similar initiatives in other communities.

In November 2008, we changed our name to DEWA to better reflect the evolving diversity of the women we serve. As migration patterns shifted, our community grew to include Deaf women from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Today, EWA stands as the UK’s only independent Deaf women’s charity – uniquely positioned to support a group that is often overlooked and underserved.