Colin Allen Headshot

Colin Allen

Lecturer

Center for International Outreach
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

585-371-6092
Office Location
Office Mailing Address
52 Lomb Memorial Drive, Office #2242, Rochester, NY 14623

Colin Allen

Lecturer

Center for International Outreach
National Technical Institute for the Deaf

Bio

Video Bio

Mr. Colin Allen AM* 

Colin is currently a Faculty Lecturer at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) within the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). In this role, he has developed courses focusing on the human rights of deaf and hard-of-hearing people under the Community Development and Inclusive Leadership (LEAD) Baccalaureate and he is a LEAD Program Coordinator. Colin is also a liaison officer for the Center for International Educational Outreach

Colin served as the President of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) from 2011 to 2019. Prior to this, Colin served as a board member for WFD from 2003 to 2011. Additionally, Colin served as Chair of the International Disability Alliance (IDA). He guided and represented the WFD and IDA in their engagement with the United Nations System and with other international human rights agencies and international development organizations.  

Colin has advanced the human rights of deaf people and persons with disabilities for over 40 years through political, professional, and social involvement. His contributions to the Deaf Community began locally in his home state and then broadened to encompass Australia and the international realm.

In June 2022, Colin Allen was presented with a Doctor of Literature from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland for contributions to the Deaf Community in both his home state and more broadly, Australia and in recognition of his career as a prominent world leader and expert in Deaf Community development, human rights, and advocacy.

(* The "AM" signifies that Mr. Allen is a Member of the Order of Australia.)

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Allen, C., Kurz, K., & Russell, D. (2021). A global report: International Perspectives on Leadership Among Deaf and Interpreter Communities
  • Russell, D., and Allen, C. (2013). Book foreword for Napier, J., & McKee, R., & Goswell, D. (Sign language interpreting: Theory & practice – Serbian version). Translated and adapted by D. Zizic & V. Jovanovic. Serbia
  • Haualand H., & Allen, C. (2009). Deaf People and Human Rights, World Federation of the Deaf and Swedish National Association of the Deaf
  • Allen, C. (2008). Seven Regional Survey Reports of the Deaf Human Rights Survey Report, World Federation of the Deaf & Swedish National Association of the Deaf
  • Allen, C. Walters, & S., Emerson, S. (2007). Balkan Survey Report (Insight into the situation of deaf people in Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey), Finnish Association of the Deaf

Currently Teaching

LEAD-101
3 Credits
This course is designed to provide a basic introduction to inclusive leadership and community development by focusing on what it means to be a good leader who facilitates community development. Emphasis in the course is on the practice of leadership. The course will examine topics such as: understanding leadership, recognizing leadership traits, engaging people’s strengths, understanding philosophy and styles, attending to tasks and relationships, developing community leadership skills, creating a vision, establishing a constructive community climate, listening to out‐group members, handling conflict, addressing ethics in community leadership, overcoming obstacles, and ensuring inclusion of racial and disability justice frameworks in various community leadership approaches. Students will assess their leadership traits and skills to improve their own leadership performance.
LEAD-199
1 - 3 Credits
The description will be specified on each Independent Study Contract.
LEAD-500
0 Credits
The experiential learning (EL) requirement may be fulfilled through a variety of methods, such as co-op, undergraduate research, summer research experiences, study abroad relevant to the major, or another activity approved by the experiential learning coordinator.

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