DeafBlind Leadership NOW

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Seventh Edition

August 1, 2024

201 signatures as of 8 p.m.

Including 5 current DeafBlind HKNC employees

And the sole DeafBlind member of the HKS Board of Trustees

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Contents

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Introduction

The Petition

The Signatures

Appendix: Bryen M Yunashko’s Statement

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Introduction

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This is a special kind of petition, signed only by DeafBlind. If you identify as DeafBlind and would like your name added to the petition:

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Please email jlc@... with:

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Your name

Your credentials, such as degrees and certificates--optional

Your current or former jobs or roles—optional

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Hearing and sighted friends and DeafBlind alike are encouraged to spread our call for signatures and public statements of support. Anyone wishing to speak directly to Helen Keller Services Board of Trustees can write to Larry Kinitsky, Chair, at lkinitsky@...

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A new, updated, and numbered edition of this petition will be circulated every day for eleven days as it gathers more and more names. Signatures are accepted until August 5, 2024, when the latest version will be sent to HKS Board of Trustees and the U.S. Department of Education.

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Feel free to forward, post on Facebook and via other social media, discuss our cause across all media, and initiate a variety of other actions. Organizations and agencies, whether DeafBlind-related or -adjacent or in solidarity, are urged to consider making public statements.

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Thank you for your support!

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The Petition

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We, the undersigned members of various DeafBlind communities, are fed up with Helen Keller National Center continuing to be controlled by hearing and sighted people. HKNC’s mission is to serve DeafBlind, yet has always resisted DeafBlind representation and leadership.

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Helen Keller Services, HKNC’s distant parent entity, recently selected yet another hearing and sighted person to be HKNC’s next executive director. Qualified DeafBlind candidates, including the top finalist, were passed over. HKNC has never had a DeafBlind person hold the position.

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The current HKS Board of Trustees has only one DeafBlind representative.

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Qualified DeafBlind leaders had expressed interest in the director position or applied for it since at least 1956, when HKNC was known as the Anne Sullivan Macy Services federal pilot program. There have been protests before. In recent years, HKNC made unspoken but clear promises that a DeafBlind director would be hired “next time.”

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Enough is enough. It’s time.

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We make the following four demands:

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First, a DeafBlind person is appointed executive director of HKNC.

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Second, HKNC is separated from Helen Keller Services (for the Blind), so that HKNC becomes its own, autonomous entity.

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Third, HKNC’s newly created Board of Trustees is made up of 70 percent or more DeafBlind members.

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Fourth, HKS and all of its subsidiaries will not retaliate against any HKS or HKNC employee, family member, or student for any civil action related to the selection process or related issues.

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With this petition, we are also taking the opportunity to introduce ourselves a little, to demonstrate how diverse and talented we are. HKNC has no excuses.

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The HKS Board of Trustees has until August 9, 2024, to comply with our first demand and begin legally binding transition processes toward fulfilling the next two demands. Failure to do so will prompt the second stage of our movement.

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The Signatures

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Five current DeafBlind HKNC employees

Requesting anonymity

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Lisa Ainscough

“厂尘颈濒别!”

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Carolynsue M. Alflen

Founder and former president, Missouri DeafBlind Association

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Bryan L. Alkire, J.D.

Former HKNC student

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Nicole Alleman

Former board member, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Xayan al-Amin

Student, College of the Sequoias, Fashion Design and Merchandising

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Annie LeJeune Arabie

Loving housewife

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Dan Arabie

Founder, National Association of the DeafBlind

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Jorge H. Aristizabal

“I vote for this petition!”

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Heidi Aulenbach

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

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Karen Bailey, L.M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Michigan

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Jennifer Baratta

Former job seeker from Helen Keller National Center

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Denis Bardet

France?

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Laurie Barnes

President, Alberta Society of the DeafBlind

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Jeremy Best

Co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

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Nandani Bhowan

“Keep in touch!”

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Ed Borrone

Master woodworker

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Erin Bradford

Librarian

“DeafBlind Can!”

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Tashi Bradford, Ph.D. candidate

Linguistics, Radboud University; owner, Totaal Languaging

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Morgan Breese, M.A.

Manager, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

"No thanks to benevolent ableism"

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Becca Brenowitz, M.P.A.

Protactile Theatre actress; secretary, barista, and line cook

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Esty Brenowitz, Ph.D. candidate

Gallaudet University

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Hayley Broadway, M.Ed.

Co-principal investigator, Protactike Kids grant, National Institutes of Health; owner, Touch Seeds

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Maria V. Brook

Never misses a meeting or an event

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Scott Burch, B.S.

President's Scholar, Gallaudet University

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Roberto Cabrera, M.S.

Former Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

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Christian Call

Podcaster, volunteer, France

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Emili Capili, M.A.

Public relations coordinator, DeafBlind Community of Texas

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Dr. Francis Casale

Former candidate for the position of executive director of HKNC

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Krista Caudill

Advocate; former HKNC student

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Caroline Cerilli

Research Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

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Aimee Chappelow

Program Specialist, Missouri SSP-CN Program; former V.R. counselor; past president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Lisa Chiango

Assistive technology trainer, Perkins School for the Blind; vice president, DeafBlind Contact Center

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Fanny Chopot

Product Owner Cybersecurity, France

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John Lee Clark, Ph.D. candidate

Author of “Touch the Future: A Manifesto in Essays”

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Keith Clark, M.A., C.P.A.C.C.

Marketing manager; former director, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

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Vincent Clark, M.A.

Retired DeafBlind specialist; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Debra Cole

Educator, Lexington School for the Deaf

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Jason Corning

Accessibility consultant

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Iris Cruz-Whidden

Loyal member, Florida DeafBlind Association

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John Cunniff

Retired employee, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center

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Nykkolas C. Dauzyn?

ProTactile educator and mentor; Dialectical Behavioral Therapist;?Certified Trauma-Informed Care Peer

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Daniel Deschênes

Ex-directeur général et vice-président de l’Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec

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Mindy Dill, M.A.

Retired school counselor; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Melissa Doty

Former HKNC student; all-around DeafBlind services

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Marsha Drenth, C.V.R.T., C.A.T.I.S. and T.V.I. in process

Access Technology Instructor; Social Worker; student, Salus-Drexel University

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Paul Ducharme

“Feel me in or I mean count me in!”

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Rhonda Eernisse, B.A.

Leader, Texas DeafBlind Camp; former case manager, Access Alaska, University of Alaska-Anchorage

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Laura Engler??

"Anything is possible!"??

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Jackie Engler-Morris

Interpreting and Professional Services Manager, DeafBlind Service Center

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David Ernest Ennis, B.S.

Artist

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Kristeen Elliott

Giraffee and cat lover

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Ridge G. Euler

"Peace and many thanks!"

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Lisa Ferris, M.Ed.

Curriculum specialist and co-owner, Miles Access Skills Training, LLC

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Victor Figuereo

Former HKNC student

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Lisa Flaherty-Vaughn

Vice president, DeafBlind Support and Access Network

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Zachary Fox, B.A.

Historian

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Michelle Franklin, B.A. candidate

Idaho

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Jon Gabry Jr., B.F.A., M.A.

Fine artist;?educator; former HKNC student

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Erick Gallegos

Website accessibility specialist

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Haben Girma, J.D.

Author of “Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law”

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Laura Godbold, M.A.

Former adjunct professor, University of North Florida and Carolina University

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Divya Goel

Former HKNC employee; co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

“This is my voice”

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Alberto Gonzales

Protactile Mentor

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Sarah Goodwin, M.S.

Adjunct instructor and doctoral student; board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas

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Andy Granda

Amateur endurance athlete

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Martin Greenberg

Stalwart

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Heather Grizzle

Horticulturalist, gardener, writer, mother of two young children, wife of a fellow DeafBlind

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James E. Groff, M.P.A.

“A qualified DeafBlind person should lead a DeafBlind-centered organization”

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Bryan R. Grubb

“I, Bryan R. Grubb, sign this petition”

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Jon Paul Guerci

Former trainer, iCanConnect

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Suzanne “Suzi” Guimond, M.A.

Former HKNC Regional Representative, Region 5; owner, Embrace Within LLC

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Diane Plassey Gutierrez

Retired guidance counselor

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Antonia Venesse Guy, B.A.

Certified Professional Astrologer; owner, Astro Woke; board member, Deaf Women United

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Thor Halvorsen, B.A.?
Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing

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John Hamilton, Jr.

HKNC student

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Cristina Hartmann, J.D., M.F.A.

Writer

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Casey Hassett

Founder, Tucson DeafBlind Social; chairperson, Community Outreach Program for the Deaf

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Guinevere Head-Allen

Associate teacher and paraprofessional; student, Gallaudet University

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Jennifer Hess, M.A.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling; president, Board of Trustees, DeafBlind Service Center

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Mike Higgins

Director, Linda Laurie Associates

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Chris Holbrook

“DeafBlind need to be on the board!”

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Donna Huff

Former coordinator, Pittsburgh DeafBlind Gathering

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Amanda Lee Huston

Former HKNC student

“You can’t put us in one mold”

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Sarah Idler, C.D.I.

ASL interpreter

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Katherine Inman, B.A.

Graduate student, T.V.I. in process

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Tracie Fields Inman

Writer; former first vice president, National Federation of the Blind Deafblind Division

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Tara L. Invidiato, M.Ed.

Former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind; Tactifying Language Integrations

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Ashley (AJ) Jackson, M.S.W.

Recent graduate, Gallaudet University

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Ronald Jackson

“MY name is Ronald Jackson”

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Timothy Jackson

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Linda Jacques?

Présidente de l'ASUQ, Montréal, Québec.

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James Jensen

Former HKNC student

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Najma Johnson, M.A.

Director, Multicultural Student Programs, Gallaudet University; owner, Grow Touch, plant shop tailored for DeafBlind

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Victor Jones

Chef; former HKNC student

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Debra Kahn

President, Washington State DeafBlind Citizens; Braille instructor

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Melissa Kosa

“I support this 100 percent!”

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Line Laforest

Agente de communication

Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec (ASUQ)

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Jaimi Lard

Retired spokesperson, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center

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Amanda Lee

Intermediate Typist Clerk, Los Angeles County Publc Works

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Jon Leitzke

Student, Rochester Institute of Technology

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Riss Leitzke, M.B.A. candidate

Accessibility Coordinator, Wilderness Inquiry

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Christopher Loomis

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

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Sheila Loos

“Proud DeafBlind mother and grandmother in Kansas City, Missouri!”

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Craig MacLean

Creator, Five-Star Disability blog

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Christopher Magliocchino

Retired IBM employee; proud sibling; cat lover

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Victoria Magliocchino, M.Ed.

Retired teacher, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; past president, Florida DeafBlind Associaton

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Maria Marquez

Loyal member, Florida DeafBlind Association

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Steven McCoy

Producer-Journalist, Sessions with Steven

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Deborah McKenney-McNally

In process of founding Michigan DeafBlind Advocates; former chairperson, American Deaf and Hard of Hearing Postal Workers

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Sarah K. McMillen, M.A.

Educator

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Anne McQuade

Director, DeafBlind Access of the South

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Kelly Monahan

Founder, DeafBlind Escape Cruises

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Victorica D. Monroe, PhD candidate

Author of “Swishing”

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Morrison, M.Ed.

Accessibility Consultant and Trainer?

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Eddie Morten

Brother of Pier

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Pier Morten

Brother of Eddie

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Lea E. Moynihan, M.A.

Former employee of ?the State of North Carolina

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Teresa Myers

Missouri

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Katie Noel

Mail inserter, Tandem

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Scott Oberg

Librarian

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Ryan Ollis, B.A.

DeafBlind Program Coordinator

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Angie C. Orlando, M.F.A.

Author of “Through the Tunnel: Becoming DeafBlind”

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Sonia Orsingher

France?

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Ruth Osorio

Associate Professor of English and Women's and Gender Studies

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Patrick Pallies, M.S.W.

DeafBlind Specialist, New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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Angela Palmer, M.A.

Artist

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Karen Park, B.A.?

Certified Horticulturist and Consultant; founder, Ecological Horticulture of Deaf; former coordinator, DeafBlind Communuty Class

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Heather Lee Pavey, B.S.

DB YEA! Mentor; retreat director, DeafBlind Community of Texas?

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René Pellerin

Sole DeafBlind member of HKS Board of Trustees; former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Angele Periard

"Thank you!"

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Matthew Pettit

Former HKNC student

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Randall Pope

President, North Carolina Association of the DeafBlind; former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Guillaume Portalier

Vocational rehabilitation counselor, France

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Samantha Porter

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Diane Poulin

Protactile Educator

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Roger Poulin

Technology instructor, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

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Kim Powers

Dynamo

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Lenore Pressley, B.S.W.

Vice President, Northern California Association of the DeafBlind

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Concetta Pucci, PhD., L.I.C.S.W., L.C.S.W.

University Professor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker?

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Amelia Puildo

Accountant

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Richard Putt

Former HKNC student; retired fiscal employee

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Timothy Putt

Former federal government employee

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Kayla Raquel, M.S.W.

“We want DeafBlind Leadership NOW!”

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Jaime Recht, B.S.

Program Analyst, Federal Railroad Administration

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Cheryl L. Rhodes

Co-founder, Florida DeafBlind Association

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Jay Rhodes

Graduate student, Gallaudet University

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Elio Riggillo

Protactile Educator

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Brenda Roberts

“Yes, I agree!”

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Jayce T. Romero

Former HKNC client

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Yashaira “Yash” Romilus

Protactile Educator; co-founder, Protactile Theatre; former HKNC student

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Amy Rowson, B.S.

Educator; former trainer, Missouri SSP Program

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Trudy Ryall

Australia

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Marc Safman

C.E.O., Safman Consulting; co-founder, New York DeafBlind Advocates

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Winfield Sainpreux

Artist; founder, Florida DeafBlind Events

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Jane Sayer

Chairperson, Mantioba Deaf-Blind Association

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Heather Schoenwald, M.S.

Johns Hopkins University; Liberty Resources Inc.; former director, Oregon Commission for the Blind

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Barry R. Segal, M.A.

Instructor, Saint Paul College

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Faruqee Sikder

“搁别蝉辫别肠迟蹿耻濒濒测”

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Robert T. Sirvage, M.A.

Design researcher

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Anna Slye

Co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

“Make sure you add my name to the petition”

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Shaunna Smith

Collector

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Allyson Snow

Protactile mentor

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Sidney Snow?

Board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas?

Debbie Sommer

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

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Nancy Sommer

Former Independent Living Skills instruction, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

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Thomas Soret

President, Unanimes France; co-chair, French national task force on deafblindness

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Jesse Stanley

President, DeafBlind Support and Access Network; director, DeafBlind Retreat of New England

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Patty Starr
Retired, New York DeafBlind Advocates

Tracy Stine, B.S.

ASL teacher and freelance writer?

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Cai Steele

“The irony is I’m (a student) here at HKNC right now”

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Angela Theriabult

Executive Director, DeafBlind Service Center

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André Thibeault, M.A.

Ancien chargé de cours, Faculté d'éducation de l'Université d'Ottawa; Ancien vice-président, Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec

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Jennifer Thompson

Former HKNC student, 2011

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Tonilyn Todd

Determined

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Barbie Tresnak

Entrepreneur, BYLD/Oncore Solar

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Jesus Valdes

Former HKNC student; board member, DeafBlind Contact Center

“Nothing about us without us!”

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Bert Van de Sompele

Multiple leadership roles, including with the European Deafblind Youth Camp

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Soline Vennetier, Ph.D. candidate

Co-founder, Réseau National des SourdAveugles

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Bruce Visser, M.A.

One of three DeafBlind siblings; master craftsman; access technology trainer

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Rhonda Voight-Campbell

Protactile Educator; owner, Two Fronds Consulting

“DeafBlind Know Best!”

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Angeli Wahlstedt

Former software developer

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Liz Walker

Former HKNC student; former board member, American Association of the DeafBlind

“I’m a supporter of the whole DeafBlind community!”

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Lara Rose Wall

President, Florida DeafBlind Association; founder, PT Dream Adventures and DeafBlind Voyage

“It’s time we kicked HKNC’s butt”

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Ann Warren

Vice president, Georgia Association of the DeafBlind; art director, DeafBlind Access of the South Retreat

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Annmaree Watharow, Ph.D.

Researcher, University of Sydney

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Krista Webb

Wood-burning artist

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Theresa Wells

Former HKNC student; founder, Breezin’ Bytes, LLC

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Arizona Welsh

Former treasurer, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Molly Wezel-Peterson

President, Minnesota DeafBlind Association

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Brett Wilhelm

HKNC student and intern; president, Sight and Sound Impaired of St. Louis; manager, Missouri and Nebraska SSP programs

“Time has long since come to spread a positive example”

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Ernest Willman, M.Ed.?

Certified Deaf Interpreter; Professional Life Coach

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John Winstead

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Bryen M Yunashko

Read his statement in the appendix below

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Melissa A. Zagarella

Certification in ceramics, Cecil College

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Kathryn Zarate

Former HKNC employee; current vice president, Florida DeafBlind Association

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Caterina Zorrilla

Artist; former HKNC student

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Appendix

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Bryen M Yunashko’s Statement

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August 1, 2024

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Hello, my name is Bryen M Yunashko, and I am a DeafBlind business owner.?I have also worked in various roles with the Helen Keller National Center, having done some technology training work and also briefly serving as a policy representative for governmental affairs.?In 2014, I was invited to join the Helen Keller National Center Executive Director Search Committee.?I was one of two DeafBlind members of the committee, which also included members of HKNC's parent organization, Helen Keller Services; board members, and the CEO of HKS himself.

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I was part of the committee during its last half of its functions.?So, I have limited knowledge of any discussions before my arrival.?But by the time I arrived, a plan was forming. I considered it a great hope for all DeafBlind. That hope is once again dashed.

?

In those final meetings, it was decided to create a new position for Chris Woodfill, a talented DeafBlind candidate for the top position.?The CEO himself expressed deep fondness for Chris and wanted to see him in the position but was concerned that Chris did not have enough financial management experience.

?

I personally approached Chris to find out how he really felt about this idea, since he apparently already knew of the plan as well.?It was clear he wanted the job, but he accepted that he needed more financial experience.?I did not press him any further to determine if this was his own words or not, but it was clear he was aware of the path and was willing to take this path.

?

It was during this search that the community held out hope that this time we would finally witness a DeafBlind leader at HKNC. And in my personal opinion, Chris was ready for the job, but I also respected the reservations being expressed and felt that Chris deserves to have a "learning period" before taking over the Center.

?

On the final day of interviews, Sue Ruzenski proved to be a well-prepared interviewee who presented very well. We agreed this would be the great union that not only achieves our goal of eventually having a DeafBlind executive director, but ensuring he would have the tools needed to keep the Center strong.

?

There was a previous conversation that stuck in my mind that day.?Sue expressed privately that she wanted the job but understood that now was the time for a DeafBlind to take over.?The tide was changing and like everywhere else in America, glass ceilings were being broken everywhere.

?

But she did get the job, with my endorsement of the plan that Chris would eventually fill the position when it became vacant again.?And although I had not been keeping tabs on HKNC activities in recent years, the several times I stopped by and had a conversation, I was always told that Chris was absolutely ready for the job. So I had no reason to question it.

?

It is now 2024.?HKNC has signed on yet another non-DeafBlind to be executive director of HKNC, this being the third hire since 2014.?It is clear that the promise has been broken and a betrayal exists.?This, I do not understand.

?

We were very clear during our final deliberations that we wanted this and we wanted to send a clear message of accountability to the community about why we chose this path.

?

To Sue, I regret that it has come to this, because I do believe that, deep down, you do wish good things.?But it cannot be ignored that you were a direct beneficiary of this plan. When you were promoted to become CEO of HKS, you did not follow through with the plan. For this I am deeply puzzled.

?

And to the newly apppointed Executive Director, please be aware that your hiring was contingent on breaking a decade-old promise made to the very community you signed on to serve.

?

It is time for change.?It is time for priorities to be determined by DeafBlind. It is time that we are the ones who should determine our destiny.

?

HKNC gets a significant amount of funding from the Federal Government via vocational rehabilitation funding.?What is the point if that funding is used to tell DeafBlind that we can never lead ourselves? It is time for a change!

?

Sincerely,

Bryen M Yunashko

?

?

?

Bryen M Yunashko’s Statement

?

August 1, 2024

?

Hello, my name is Bryen M Yunashko, and I am a DeafBlind business owner.?I have also worked in various roles with the Helen Keller National Center, having done some technology training work and also briefly serving as a policy representative for governmental affairs.?In 2014, I was invited to join the Helen Keller National Center Executive Director Search Committee.?I was one of two DeafBlind members of the committee, which also included members of HKNC's parent organization, Helen Keller Services; board members, and the CEO of HKS himself.

?

I was part of the committee during its last half of its functions.?So, I have limited knowledge of any discussions before my arrival.?But by the time I arrived, a plan was forming. I considered it a great hope for all DeafBlind. That hope is once again dashed.

?

In those final meetings, it was decided to create a new position for Chris Woodfill, a talented DeafBlind candidate for the top position.?The CEO himself expressed deep fondness for Chris and wanted to see him in the position but was concerned that Chris did not have enough financial management experience.

?

I personally approached Chris to find out how he really felt about this idea, since he apparently already knew of the plan as well.?It was clear he wanted the job, but he accepted that he needed more financial experience.?I did not press him any further to determine if this was his own words or not, but it was clear he was aware of the path and was willing to take this path.

?

It was during this search that the community held out hope that this time we would finally witness a DeafBlind leader at HKNC. And in my personal opinion, Chris was ready for the job, but I also respected the reservations being expressed and felt that Chris deserves to have a "learning period" before taking over the Center.

?

On the final day of interviews, Sue Ruzenski proved to be a well-prepared interviewee who presented very well. We agreed this would be the great union that not only achieves our goal of eventually having a DeafBlind executive director, but ensuring he would have the tools needed to keep the Center strong.

?

There was a previous conversation that stuck in my mind that day.?Sue expressed privately that she wanted the job but understood that now was the time for a DeafBlind to take over.?The tide was changing and like everywhere else in America, glass ceilings were being broken everywhere.

?

But she did get the job, with my endorsement of the plan that Chris would eventually fill the position when it became vacant again.?And although I had not been keeping tabs on HKNC activities in recent years, the several times I stopped by and had a conversation, I was always told that Chris was absolutely ready for the job. So I had no reason to question it.

?

It is now 2024.?HKNC has signed on yet another non-DeafBlind to be executive director of HKNC, this being the third hire since 2014.?It is clear that the promise has been broken and a betrayal exists.?This, I do not understand.

?

We were very clear during our final deliberations that we wanted this and we wanted to send a clear message of accountability to the community about why we chose this path.

?

To Sue, I regret that it has come to this, because I do believe that, deep down, you do wish good things.?But it cannot be ignored that you were a direct beneficiary of this plan. When you were promoted to become CEO of HKS, you did not follow through with the plan. For this I am deeply puzzled.

?

And to the newly apppointed Executive Director, please be aware that your hiring was contingent on breaking a decade-old promise made to the very community you signed on to serve.

?

It is time for change.?It is time for priorities to be determined by DeafBlind. It is time that we are the ones who should determine our destiny.

?

HKNC gets a significant amount of funding from the Federal Government via vocational rehabilitation funding.?What is the point if that funding is used to tell DeafBlind that we can never lead ourselves? It is time for a change!

?

Sincerely,

Bryen M Yunashko

?

?

?

Hello everyone! John here:

?

The following is a bookmark I’m making for my French language textbooks!? For Braille readers, with displays turned keyed into contracted Braille, the following will appear as only the relevant symbols representing French accented letters and their Anglican equivalent letters.? For those reading this in uncontracted Braille or in print, it appears as a kind of poem.

?

Enjoy!

?

and can cedille

for every aigu

of a grave

the every grave

with us grave

child a circonflexe

gh every circonflexe

shall i circonflexe

this o circonflexe

which us circonflexe

ed every trema

er i trema

out us trema

ow oe

enough question mark

?

?

DeafBlind Leadership NOW

?

Fifth Edition

July 30, 2024

167 signatures as of 8 p.m.

Including: 5 current DeafBlind HKNC employees

?

This is a special kind of petition, signed only by DeafBlind. If you identify as DeafBlind and would like your name added to the petition:

?

Please email jlc@... with:

?

Your name

Your credentials, such as degrees and certificates--optional

Your current or former jobs or roles—optional

?

Hearing and sighted friends and DeafBlind alike are encouraged to spread our call for signatures and public statements of support. Anyone wishing to speak directly to Helen Keller Services Board of Trustees can write to Larry Kinitsky, Chair, at lkinitsky@...

?

A new, updated, and numbered edition of this petition will be circulated every day for eleven days as it gathers more and more names. Signatures are accepted until August 5, 2024, when the latest version will be sent to HKS Board of Trustees and the U.S. Department of Education.

?

Feel free to forward, post on Facebook and via other social media, discuss our cause across all media, and initiate a variety of other actions. Organizations and agencies, whether DeafBlind-related or -adjacent or in solidarity, are urged to consider making public statements.

?

Thank you for your support!

?

The Petition

?

We, the undersigned members of various DeafBlind communities, are fed up with Helen Keller National Center continuing to be controlled by hearing and sighted people. HKNC’s mission is to serve DeafBlind, yet has always resisted DeafBlind representation and leadership.

?

Helen Keller Services, HKNC’s distant parent entity, recently selected yet another hearing and sighted person to be HKNC’s next executive director. Qualified DeafBlind candidates, including the top finalist, were passed over. HKNC has never had a DeafBlind person hold the position.

?

The current HKS Board of Trustees has only one DeafBlind representative.

?

Qualified DeafBlind leaders had expressed interest in the director position or applied for it since at least 1956, when HKNC was known as the Anne Sullivan Macy Services federal pilot program. There have been protests before. In recent years, HKNC made unspoken but clear promises that a DeafBlind director would be hired “next time.”

?

Enough is enough. It’s time.

?

We make the following four demands:

?

First, a DeafBlind person is appointed executive director of HKNC.

?

Second, HKNC is separated from Helen Keller Services (for the Blind), so that HKNC becomes its own, autonomous entity.

?

Third, HKNC’s newly created Board of Trustees is made up of 70 percent or more DeafBlind members.

?

Fourth, HKS and all of its subsidiaries will not retaliate against any HKS or HKNC employee, family member, or student for any civil action related to the selection process or related issues.

?

With this petition, we are also taking the opportunity to introduce ourselves a little, to demonstrate how diverse and talented we are. HKNC has no excuses.

?

The HKS Board of Trustees has until August 9, 2024, to comply with our first demand and begin legally binding transition processes toward fulfilling the next two demands. Failure to do so will prompt the second stage of our movement.

?

Signed,

?

Five current DeafBlind HKNC employees

Requesting anonymity

?

Lisa Ainscough

“厂尘颈濒别!”

?

Carolynsue M. Alflen

Founder and former president, Missouri DeafBlind Association

?

Bryan L. Alkire, J.D.

Former HKNC student

?

Nicole Alleman

Former board member, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Xayan al-Amin

Student, College of the Sequoias, Fashion Design and Merchandising

?

Annie LeJeune Arabie

Loving housewife

?

Dan Arabie

Founder, National Association of the DeafBlind

?

Jorge H. Aristizabal

“I vote for this petition!”

?

Heidi Aulenbach

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Karen Bailey, L.M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Michigan

?

Jennifer Baratta

Former job seeker from Helen Keller National Center

?

Denis Bardet

France?

?

Laurie Barnes

President, Alberta Society of the DeafBlind

?

Jeremy Best

Co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

?

Nandani Bhowan

“Keep in touch!”

?

Ed Borrone

Master woodworker

?

Erin Bradford

Librarian

“DeafBlind Can!”

?

Tashi Bradford, Ph.D. candidate

Linguistics, Radboud University; owner, Totaal Languaging

?

Morgan Breese, M.A.

Manager, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

"No thanks to benevolent ableism"

?

Becca Brenowitz, M.P.A.

Protactile Theatre actress; secretary, barista, and line cook

?

Esty Brenowitz, Ph.D. candidate

Gallaudet University

?

Hayley Broadway, M.Ed.

Co-principal investigator, Protactike Kids grant, National Institutes of Health; owner, Touch Seeds

?

Maria V. Brook

Never misses a meeting or an event

?

Scott Burch, B.S.

President's Scholar, Gallaudet University

?

Roberto Cabrera, M.S.

Former Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

?

Christian Call

Podcaster, volunteer, France

?

Emili Capili, M.A.

Public relations coordinator, DeafBlind Community of Texas

?

Dr. Francis Casale

Former candidate for the position of executive director of HKNC

?

Caroline Cerilli

Research Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

?

Aimee Chappelow

Program Specialist, Missouri SSP-CN Program; former V.R. counselor; past president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Lisa Chiango

Assistive technology trainer, Perkins School for the Blind; vice president, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Fanny Chopot

Product Owner Cybersecurity, France

?

John Lee Clark, Ph.D. candidate

Author of “Touch the Future: A Manifesto in Essays”

?

Keith Clark, M.A., C.P.A.C.C

Marketing manager; former director, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Vincent Clark, M.A.

Retired DeafBlind specialist; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Debra Cole

Educator, Lexington School for the Deaf

?

Jason Corning

Accessibility consultant

?

Iris Cruz-Whidden

Loyal member, Florida DeafBlind Association

?

John Cunniff

Retired employee, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Nykkolas C. Dauzyn?

ProTactile educator and mentor; Dialectical Behavioral Therapist;?Certified Trauma-Informed Care Peer

?

Mindy Dill, M.A.

Retired school counselor; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Melissa Doty

Former HKNC student; all-around DeafBlind services

?

Marsha Drenth, C.V.R.T., C.A.T.I.S. and T.V.I. in process

Access Technology Instructor; Social Worker; student, Salus-Drexel University

?

Rhonda Eernisse, B.A.

Leader, Texas DeafBlind Camp; former case manager, Access Alaska, University of Alaska-Anchorage

?

Jackie Engler-Morris

Interpreting and Professional Services Manager, DeafBlind Service Center

?

David Ernest Ennis, B.S.

Artist

?

Kristeen Elliott

Giraffee and cat lover

?

Ridge G. Euler

"Peace and many thanks!"

?

Lisa Ferris, M.Ed.

Curriculum specialist and co-owner, Miles Access Skills Training, LLC

?

Lisa Flaherty-Vaughn

Vice president, DeafBlind Support and Access Network

?

Zachary Fox, B.A.

Historian

?

Jon Gabry Jr., B.F.A., M.A.

Fine artist;?educator; former HKNC student

?

Erick Gallegos

Website accessibility specialist

?

Laura Godbold, M.A.

Former adjunct professor, University of North Florida and Carolina University

?

Divya Goel

Former HKNC employee; co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

“This is my voice”

?

Alberto Gonzales

Protactile Mentor

?

Sarah Goodwin, M.S.

Adjunct instructor and doctoral student; board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas

?

Andy Granda

Amateur endurance athlete

?

Heather Grizzle

Horticulturalist, gardener, writer, mother of two young children, wife of a fellow DeafBlind

?

Bryan R. Grubb

“I, Bryan R. Grubb, sign this petition”

?

Suzanne “Suzi” Guimond, M.A.

Former HKNC Regional Representative, Region 5; owner, Embrace Within LLC

?

Diane Plassey Gutierrez

Retired guidance counselor

?

Antonia Venesse Guy, B.A.

Certified Professional Astrologer; owner, Astro Woke; board member, Deaf Women United

?

Thor Halvorsen, B.A.?
Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing

?

John Hamilton, Jr.

HKNC student

?

Cristina Hartmann, J.D., M.F.A.

Writer

?

Casey Hassett

Founder, Tucson DeafBlind Social; chairperson, Community Outreach Program for the Deaf

?

Adrienne Haugen

Past president, Minnesota DeafBlind Association; co-founder, Minnesota Speaking DeafBlind Group

?

Guinevere Head-Allen

Associate teacher and paraprofessional; student, Gallaudet University

?

Jennifer Hess, M.A.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling; president, Board of Trustees, DeafBlind Service Center

?

Mike Higgins

Director, Linda Laurie Associates

?

Chris Holbrook

“DeafBlind need to be on the board!”

?

Donna Huff

Former coordinator, Pittsburgh DeafBlind Gathering

?

Amanda Lee Huston

Former HKNC student

“You can’t put us in one mold”

?

Sarah Idler, C.D.I.

ASL interpreter

?

Katherine Inman, B.A.

Graduate student, T.V.I. in process

?

Tracie Fields Inman

Writer; former first vice president, National Federation of the Blind Deafblind Division

?

Tara L. Invidiato, M.Ed.

Former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind; Tactifying Language Integrations

?

Ashley (AJ) Jackson, M.S.W.

Recent graduate, Gallaudet University

?

Ronald Jackson

“MY name is Ronald Jackson”

?

Timothy Jackson

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

James Jensen

Former HKNC student

?

Najma Johnson, M.A.

Director, Multicultural Student Programs, Gallaudet University; owner, Grow Touch, plant shop tailored for DeafBlind

?

Debra Kahn

President, Washington State DeafBlind Citizens; Braille instructor

?

Melissa Kosa

“I support this 100 percent!”

?

Jaimi Lard

Retired spokesperson, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Jon Leitzke

Student, Rochester Institute of Technology

?

Riss Leitzke, M.B.A. candidate

Accessibility Coordinator, Wilderness Inquiry

?

Sheila Loos

“Proud DeafBlind mother and grandmother in Kansas City, Missouri!”

?

Craig MacLean

Creator, Five-Star Disability blog

?

Christopher Magliocchino

Retired IBM employee; proud sibling; cat lover

?

Victoria Magliocchino, M.Ed.

Retired teacher, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; past president, Florida DeafBlind Associaton

?

Steven McCoy

Producer-Journalist, Sessions with Steven

?

Sarah K. McMillen, M.A.

Educator

?

Anne McQuade

Director, DeafBlind Access of the South

?

Kelly Monahan

Founder, DeafBlind Escape Cruises

?

Victorica D. Monroe, PhD candidate

Author of “Swishing”

?

Morrison, M.Ed.

Accessibility Consultant and Trainer?

?

Lea E. Moynihan, M.A.

Former employee of ?the State of North Carolina

?

Teresa Myers

Missouri

?

Katie Noel

Mail inserter, Tandem

?

Ryan Ollis, B.A.

DeafBlind Program Coordinator

?

Angie C. Orlando, M.F.A.

Author of “Through the Tunnel: Becoming DeafBlind”

?

Sonia Orsingher

France?

?

Patrick Pallies, M.S.W.

DeafBlind Specialist, New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

?

Angela Palmer, M.A.

Artist

?

Karen Park, B.A.?

Certified Horticulturist and Consultant; founder, Ecological Horticulture of Deaf; former coordinator, DeafBlind Communuty Class

?

Heather Lee Pavey, B.S.

DB YEA! Mentor; retreat director, DeafBlind Community of Texas?

?

Angele Periard

"Thank you!"

?

Randall Pope

President, North Carolina Association of the DeafBlind; former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Guillaume Portalier

Vocational rehabilitation counselor, France

?

Samantha Porter

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Diane Poulin

Protactile Educator

?

Kim Powers

Dynamo

?

Lenore Pressley

Vice President, Northern California Association of the DeafBlind

?

Concetta Pucci, PhD., L.I.C.S.W., L.C.S.W.

University Professor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker?

?

Richard Putt

Former HKNC student; retired fiscal employee

?

Timothy Putt

Former federal government employee

?

Cheryl L. Rhodes

Co-founder, Florida DeafBlind Association

?

Jay Rhodes

Graduate student, Gallaudet University

?

Elio Riggillo

Protactile Educator

?

Jayce T. Romero

Former HKNC client

?

Yashaira “Yash” Romilus

Protactile Educator; co-founder, Protactile Theatre; former HKNC student

?

Amy Rowson, B.S.

Educator; former trainer, Missouri SSP Program

?

Trudy Ryall

Australia

?

Marc Safman

C.E.O., Safman Consulting; co-founder, New York DeafBlind Advocates

?

Winfield Sainpreux

Artist; founder, Florida DeafBlind Events

?

Jane Sayer

Chairperson, Mantioba Deaf-Blind Association

?

Heather Schoenwald, M.S.

Johns Hopkins University; Liberty Resources Inc.; former director, Oregon Commission for the Blind

?

Barry R. Segal, M.A.

Instructor, Saint Paul College

?

Faruqee Sikder

“搁别蝉辫别肠迟蹿耻濒濒测”

?

Robert T. Sirvage, M.A.

Design researcher

?

Anna Slye

Co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

“Make sure you add my name to the petition”

?

Allyson Snow

Protactile mentor

?

Sidney Snow?

Board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas?

Debbie Sommer

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Nancy Sommer

Former Independent Living Skills instruction, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Thomas Soret

President, Unanimes France; co-chair, French national task force on deafblindness

?

Jesse Stanley

President, DeafBlind Support and Access Network; director, DeafBlind Retreat of New England

?

Patty Starr
Retired, New York DeafBlind Advocates

Cai Steele

“The irony is I’m (a student) here at HKNC right now”

?

Angela Theriabult

Executive Director, DeafBlind Service Center

?

André Thibeault, M.A.

Ancien chargé de cours, Faculté d'éducation de l'Université d'Ottawa; Ancien vice-président, Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec

?

Jennifer Thompson

Former HKNC student, 2011

?

Tonilyn Todd

Determined

?

Jesus Valdes

Former HKNC student, 2023; board member, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Soline Vennetier, Ph.D. candidate

Co-founder, Réseau National des SourdAveugles

?

Bruce Visser, M.A.

One of three DeafBlind siblings; master craftsman; access technology trainer

?

Rhonda Voight-Campbell

Protactile Educator; owner, Two Fronds Consulting

“DeafBlind Know Best!”

?

Angeli Wahlstedt

Former software developer

?

Liz Walker

“I’m a supporter of the whole DeafBlind community!”

?

Lara Rose Wall

President, Florida DeafBlind Association; founder, PT Dream Adventures and DeafBlind Voyage

“It’s time we kicked HKNC’s butt”

?

Ann Warren

Vice president, Georgia Association of the DeafBlind; art director, DeafBlind Access of the South Retreat

?

Annmaree Watharow, Ph.D.

Researcher, University of Sydney

?

Krista Webb

Wood-burning artist

?

Theresa Wells

Former HKNC student; founder, Breezin’ Bytes, LLC

?

Arizona Welsh

Former treasurer, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Molly Wezel-Peterson

President, Minnesota DeafBlind Association

?

Brett Wilhelm

HKNC student and intern; president, Sight and Sound Impaired of St. Louis; manager, Missouri and Nebraska SSP programs

“Time has long since come to spread a positive example”

?

John Winstead

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Kathryn Zarate

Former HKNC employee; current vice president, Florida DeafBlind Association

?

Caterina Zorrilla

Artist; former HKNC student

?

?

?

DeafBlind Leadership NOW

?

Fourth Edition

July 29, 2024

137 signatures as of 8 p.m.

Including: 5 current DeafBlind HKNC employees

?

This is a special kind of petition, signed only by DeafBlind. If you identify as DeafBlind and would like your name added to the petition, please email jlc@...

?

Hearing and sighted friends and DeafBlind alike are encouraged to spread our call for signatures and public statements of support. Anyone wishing to speak directly to Helen Keller Services Board of Trustees can write to Larry Kinitsky, Chair, at lkinitsky@...

?

A new, updated, and numbered edition of this petition will be circulated every day for eleven days as it gathers more and more names. Signatures are accepted until August 5, 2024, when the latest version will be sent to HKS Board of Trustees and the U.S. Department of Education.

?

Feel free to forward, post on Facebook and via other social media, discuss our cause across all media, and initiate a variety of other actions. Organizations and agencies, whether DeafBlind-related or -adjacent or in solidarity, are urged to consider making public statements.

?

Thank you for your support!

?

The Petition

?

We, the undersigned members of various DeafBlind communities, are fed up with Helen Keller National Center continuing to be controlled by hearing and sighted people. HKNC’s mission is to serve DeafBlind, yet has always resisted DeafBlind representation and leadership.

?

Helen Keller Services, HKNC’s distant parent entity, recently selected yet another hearing and sighted person to be HKNC’s next executive director. Qualified DeafBlind candidates, including the top finalist, were passed over. HKNC has never had a DeafBlind person hold the position.

?

The current HKS Board of Trustees has only one DeafBlind representative.

?

Qualified DeafBlind leaders had expressed interest in the director position or applied for it since at least 1956, when HKNC was known as the Anne Sullivan Macy Services federal pilot program. There have been protests before. In recent years, HKNC made unspoken but clear promises that a DeafBlind director would be hired “next time.”

?

Enough is enough. It’s time.

?

We make the following four demands:

?

First, a DeafBlind person is appointed executive director of HKNC.

?

Second, HKNC is separated from Helen Keller Services (for the Blind), so that HKNC becomes its own, autonomous entity.

?

Third, HKNC’s newly created Board of Trustees is made up of 70 percent or more DeafBlind members.

?

Fourth, HKS and all of its subsidiaries will not retaliate against any HKS or HKNC employee, family member, or student for any civil action related to the selection process or related issues.

?

With this petition, we are also taking the opportunity to introduce ourselves a little, to demonstrate how diverse and talented we are. HKNC has no excuses.

?

The HKS Board of Trustees has until August 9, 2024, to comply with our first demand and begin legally binding transition processes toward fulfilling the next two demands. Failure to do so will prompt the second stage of our movement.

?

Signed,

?

Five current DeafBlind HKNC employees

Requesting anonymity

?

Lisa Ainscough

“厂尘颈濒别!”

?

Carolynsue M. Alflen

Founder and former president, Missouri DeafBlind Association

?

Xayan al-Amin

Student, College of the Sequoias, Fashion Design and Merchandising

?

Annie LeJeune Arabie

Louisana Acadiana DeafBlind Citizens

?

Jorge H. Aristizabal

“I vote for this petition!”

?

Heidi Aulenbach

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Jennifer Baratta

Former job seeker from Helen Keller National Center

?

Denis Bardet

France?

?

Jeremy Best

Co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

?

Nandani Bhowan

“Keep in touch!”

?

Ed Borrone

Master woodworker

?

Erin Bradford

Librarian

“DeafBlind Can!”

?

Tashi Bradford, Ph.D. candidate

Linguistics, Radboud University; owner, Totaal Languaging

?

Morgan Breese, M.A.

Manager, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

"No thanks to benevolent ableism"

?

Becca Brenowitz

Community member

?

Esty Brenowitz

Community member

?

Hayley Broadway, M.Ed.

Co-principal investigator, Protactike Kids grant, National Institutes of Health; owner, Touch Seeds

?

Maria V. Brook

Never misses a meeting or an event

?

Scott Burch, B.S.

President's Scholar, Gallaudet University

?

Roberto Cabrera, M.S.

Former Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

?

Christian Call

Podcaster, volunteer, France

?

Emili Capili, M.A.

Public relations coordinator, DeafBlind Community of Texas

?

Dr. Francis Casale

Former candidate for the position of executive director of HKNC

?

Caroline Cerilli

Research Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center

?

Lisa Chiango

Assistive technology trainer, Perkins School for the Blind; vice president, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Fanny Chopot

Product Owner Cybersecurity, France

?

John Lee Clark, Ph.D. candidate

Author of “Touch the Future: A Manifesto in Essays”

?

Keith Clark, M.A., C.P.A.C.C

Marketing manager; former director, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Vincent Clark, M.A.

Retired DeafBlind specialist; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Iris Cruz-Whidden

Loyal member, Florida DeafBlind Association

?

John Cunniff

Retired employee, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Nykkolas C. Dauzyn

Interviewed for the position at HKNC

?

Mindy Dill, M.A.

Retired school counselor; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Melissa Doty

Former HKNC student; all-around DeafBlind services

?

Marsha Drenth, C.V.R.T., C.A.T.I.S. and T.V.I. in process

Access Technology Instructor; Social Worker; student, Salus-Drexel University

?

Rhonda Eernisse, B.A.

Leader, Texas DeafBlind Camp; former case manager, Access Alaska, University of Alaska-Anchorage

?

Jackie Engler-Morris

Interpreting and Professional Services Manager, DeafBlind Service Center

?

David Ernest Ennis, B.S.

Artist

?

Ridge G. Euler

"Peace and many thanks!"

?

Lisa Ferris, M.Ed.

Curriculum specialist and co-owner, Miles Access Skills Training, LLC

?

Lisa Flaherty-Vaughn

Vice president, DeafBlind Support and Access Network

?

Zachary Fox, B.A.

Historian

?

Jon Gabry Jr., B.F.A., M.A.

Fine artist;?educator; former HKNC student

?

Erick Gallegos

Website accessibility specialist

?

Laura Godbold, M.A.

Former adjunct professor, University of North Florida and Carolina University

?

Divya Goel

Former HKNC employee; co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

“This is my voice”

?

Alberto Gonzales

Protactile Mentor

?

Sarah Goodwin, M.S.

Adjunct instructor and doctoral student; board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas

?

Andy Granda

Amateur endurance athlete

?

Heather Grizzle

Horticulturalist, gardener, writer, mother of two young children, wife of a fellow DeafBlind

?

Bryan R. Grubb

“I, Bryan R. Grubb, sign this petition”

?

Suzanne “Suzi” Guimond, M.A.

Former HKNC Regional Representative, Region 5; owner, Embrace Within LLC

?

Diane Plassey Gutierrez

Retired guidance counselor

?

Antonia Venesse Guy, B.A.

Certified Professional Astrologer; owner, Astro Woke; board member, Deaf Women United

?

Thor Halvorsen, B.A.?
Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing

?

Cristina Hartmann, J.D., M.F.A.

Writer

?

Casey Hassett

Founder, Tucson DeafBlind Social; chairperson, Community Outreach Program for the Deaf

?

Adrienne Haugen

Past president, Minnesota DeafBlind Association; co-founder, Minnesota Speaking DeafBlind Group

?

Guinevere Head-Allen

Associate teacher and paraprofessional; student, Gallaudet University

?

Mike Higgins

Director, Linda Laurie Associates

?

Chris Holbrook

“DeafBlind need to be on the board!”

?

Donna Huff

Former coordinator, Pittsburgh DeafBlind Gathering

?

Amanda Lee Huston

Former HKNC student

“You can’t put us in one mold”

?

Katherine Inman, B.A.

Graduate student, T.V.I. in process

?

Tracie Fields Inman

Writer; former first vice president, National Federation of the Blind Deafblind Division

?

Tara L. Invidiato, M.Ed.

Former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind; Tactifying Language Integrations

?

Ronald Jackson

“MY name is Ronald Jackson”

?

Timothy Jackson

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Najma Johnson, M.A.

Director, Multicultural Student Programs, Gallaudet University; owner, Grow Touch, plant shop tailored for DeafBlind

?

Jaimi Lard

Retired spokesperson, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center

?

Jon Leitzke

Student, Rochester Institute of Technology

?

Riss Leitzke, M.B.A. candidate

Accessibility Coordinator, Wilderness Inquiry

?

Craig MacLean

Creator, Five-Star Disability blog

?

Christopher Magliocchino

Retired IBM employee; proud sibling; cat lover

?

Victoria Magliocchino, M.Ed.

Retired teacher, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; past president, Florida DeafBlind Associaton

?

Steven McCoy

Producer-Journalist, Sessions with Steven

?

Sarah K. McMillen, M.A.

Educator

?

Anne McQuade

Director, DeafBlind Access of the South

?

Kelly Monahan

Founder, DeafBlind Escape Cruises

?

Victorica D. Monroe, PhD candidate

Author of “Swishing”

?

Morrison, M.Ed.

Accessibility Consultant and Trainer?

?

Lea E. Moynihan, M.A.

Former employee of ?the State of North Carolina

?

Teresa Myers

Missouri

?

Katie Noel

Mail inserter, Tandem

?

Angie C. Orlando, M.F.A.

Author of “Through the Tunnel: Becoming DeafBlind”

?

Sonia Orsingher

France?

?

Angela Palmer, M.A.

Artist

?

Karen Park, B.A.

Certified horticulturist; founder, Deaf and DeafBlind Ecological Horticulture Community Class

?

Heather Lee Pavey, B.S.

DB YEA! Mentor; retreat director, DeafBlind Community of Texas?

?

Angele Periard

"Thank you!"

?

Randall pope

President, North Carolina Association of the DeafBlind; former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Guillaume Portalier

Vocational rehabilitation counselor, France

?

Samantha Porter

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

?

Diane Poulin

Protactile Educator

?

Lenore Pressley

Vice President, Northern California Association of the DeafBlind

?

Richard Putt

Former HKNC student; retired fiscal employee

?

Timothy Putt

Former federal government employee

?

Debbie Sommer

Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Nancy Sommer

Former Independent Living Skills instruction, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind

?

Cheryl L. Rhodes

Co-founder, Florida DeafBlind Association

?

Jay Rhodes

Graduate student, Gallaudet University

?

Elio Riggillo

Protactile Educator

?

Jayce T. Romero

Former HKNC client

?

Yashaira “Yash” Romilus

Protactile Educator; co-founder, Protactile Theatre; former HKNC student

?

Amy Rowson, B.S.

Educator; former trainer, Missouri SSP Program

?

Marc Safman

C.E.O., Safman Consulting; co-founder, New York DeafBlind Advocates

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Winfield Sainpreux

Artist; founder, Florida DeafBlind Events

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Barry R. Segal, M.A.

Instructor, Saint Paul College

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Heather Schoenwald, M.S.

Johns Hopkins University; Liberty Resources Inc.; former director, Oregon Commission for the Blind

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Faruqee Sikder

“搁别蝉辫别肠迟蹿耻濒濒测”

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Robert T. Sirvage, M.A.

Design researcher

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Anna Slye

Co-founder, DeafBlind Social of Central Florida

“Make sure you add my name to the petition”

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Thomas Soret

President, Unanimes France; co-chair, French national task force on deafblindness

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Jesse Stanley

President, DeafBlind Support and Access Network; director, DeafBlind Retreat of New England

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Cai Stelle

“The irony is I’m (a student) here at HKNC right now”

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Angela Theriabult

Executive Director, DeafBlind Service Center

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André Thibeault, M.A.

Ancien chargé de cours, Faculté d'éducation de l'Université d'Ottawa; Ancien vice-président, Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec

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Jennifer Thompson

Former HKNC student, 2011

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Tonilyn Todd

Determined

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Jesus Valdes

Former HKNC student, 2023; board member, DeafBlind Contact Center

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Soline Vennetier, Ph.D. candidate

Co-founder, Réseau National des SourdAveugles

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Bruce Visser, M.A.

One of three DeafBlind siblings; master craftsman; access technology trainer

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Rhonda Voight-Campbell

Protactile Educator; owner, Two Fronds Consulting

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Liz Walker

“I’m a supporter of the whole DeafBlind community!”

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Lara Rose Wall

President, Florida DeafBlind Association; founder, PT Dream Adventures and DeafBlind Voyage

“It’s time we kicked HKNC’s butt”

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Annmaree Watharow, Ph.D.

Researcher, University of Sydney

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Krista Webb

Wood-burning artist

?

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Theresa Wells

Former HKNC student; founder, Breezin’ Bytes, LLC

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Arizona Welsh

Former treasurer, American Association of the DeafBlind

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John Winstead

Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind

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Kathryn Zarate

Former HKNC employee; current vice president, Florida DeafBlind Association

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Caterina Zorrilla

Artist; former HKNC student

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