About

About

Our Mission

Learn.
Connect.
Transform.

We share information, networks, and strategies to improve continuing education and training for deaf people.

It includes sections on research and data, transition tools, online learning, and training and support. The platform seems to offer informative materials, tools, and support for deaf teens preparing for life after high school.

How Can NDC Help?

Our products and services are deaf-centered, evidence-based, and developed in response to community needs—all at no cost. We offer online courses, online gaming tools for youth, data reports, research summaries, evidence-based resources, and more. We also provide individualized consultation, training, assessments, strategic planning support, and resources that help community members, organizations, and schools improve outcomes for deaf people in continuing education and training. 

Our self-service support lets you explore at your own pace. Browse resources tailored for institutions, students, and professionals, get help with online learning modules and Deafverse, and dive into NDC’s research and data. If you’re ready to take it to the next level, we can provide you with free personalized support and guidance!

Resources for Institutions, Students, and Professionals

If you’re looking for support with access at your institution, you’re not alone.

For Students

If you’re a deaf student navigating college, we know it can be tough to figure out where to go for support. Whether you need help understanding your rights, filing a complaint, working with your disability services office, or asking for access in class or on campus—we’ve got your back. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.

We’re here to listen, support, and share helpful resources based on your situation.

For gamified support, play our Deafverse online game! Each world has something different to offer: Duel of the Bots can help you learn advocacy skills, build workplace confidence in Revenge of the Deep, and Legends of the Eldertree can help prepare you for college.

For Colleges, Universities, Training Programs, and Professionals

If you’re working in disability services, student affairs, career services, or a related department, we can help you strengthen support for deaf students on your campus. Whether you have questions about effective communication strategies, strategies for accommodation access like interpreters or speech-to-text services, or want guidance on campus-wide planning—we’re ready to connect. We offer tools, research, and expert insights that are grounded in real experiences from deaf students and professionals.

For specialized support, we recommend scheduling a one-on-one consultation with us to discuss your situation so that we can provide free guidance and support that is tailored for you.

Online Learning

Looking for help with our free online learning opportunities or certificate programs? If you’re having trouble, don’t worry! We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for answers, or send an email to us at learn@nationaldeafcenter.org and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Research, Data, and Publications

At NDC, we ground our work in research and evidence. Our Data Dashboard offers national facts, trends, and insights about deaf people in education and employment. You’ll also find reports and publications that highlight challenges, successes, and recommendations for change within our Research & Data resources. Questions about our data or research? Use our contact form, select “Research & Data” as the subject, and our team will connect with you as soon as we can.

More About Us

We are a technical assistance and dissemination center funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) (#H326D210002). The National Deaf Center is located at the University of Texas at Austin, based in the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at the College of Education.

Our Values

Our work is guided by our collective beliefs and commitments to:

  • Promoting individualized and person-centered approaches to each situation. 
  • Combining the lived experiences of deaf people with research and data to improve evidence-based decision-making.  
  • Partnering with communities to strengthen relationships, outreach, and engagement with members.
  • Centering the experience and expertise of deaf people in every aspect of our work.
  • Identifying systemic barriers to address root causes of problems and create solutions to make lasting impact.

Carrie Lou Bloom, PhD, and Tia Ivanko, MA, NIC, are Co-Directors of the National Deaf Center.

Meet Our Team

Leadership

Carrie Lou Bloom's Headshot

Carrie Lou Bloom, PhD

Leading with the power of research, data, and high expectations.
Co-Director
This is an image of Tia Ivanko. The image shows her smiling at the camera. she has curly hair and brown eyes.

Tia Ivanko, MA, NIC, ADAC

Believes in creating better opportunities and is ready to do the work together.
Co-Director
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a green short-sleeve top, smiles while standing outdoors in front of a light-colored stone pillar.

Sara Fair

Living at the intersection of communications and accessibility.
Communications Director
Lore Kinast's Headshot

Lore Kinast, EdD

Loves working toward better access for deaf students in higher education.
Co-Director of Strategic Support
A short black haired person in glasses and green button up shirt smiling.

Diego Ozuna-Clark

A thinker, Diego values intentional conversations.
Co-Director of Strategic Support

NDC Team

Malibu Barron's Headshot

Malibu Barron

Lifelong learner navigating multiple truths and experiences via intersectional lens
Strategic Support Coordinator
A woman with long, wavy red hair and green earrings smiles while standing against a light-colored stone wall. She is wearing a black top and appears cheerful and relaxed.

Sarah Brown

An interpreter who likes to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table.
Designated Interpreter/Sr. Access Specialist
A short brown haired person in beard and glasses wearing blue dress shirt and red tie along with a rugged black suit jacket smiling.

Chase Burton

Creating change through visual mediums.
Media Producer
Erika Chirino's Headshot

Erika Chirino

A servant leader is a servant first, to empower success.
Operations Manager
A bald man with glasses and a mustache, wearing a blue checkered shirt, stands in front of a light-colored textured wall, smiling at the camera.

Zane Fleming

A believer in the power of gaming to create a lasting positive impact on deaf youth
Educational Outreach Coordinator
A portrait of a long brown haired woman in glasses wearing green shirt and white cardigan smiling.

Karla Giese, EdD

An educator passionate about knowledge…always learning!
Instructional Designer
This image is of a woman who is wearing a black full-sleeve t-shirt & standing and leaning on the wall. She has a gold chain around her neck.

Leelé Girma

An engager providing accessible content to strengthen advocacy and belonging.
Social Media Coordinator
The image shows a short brown haired person in purple shirt smiling.

Jen Higgins

Finds happiness at the intersection of accessibility, assessment, and research.
Strategic Support Coordinator
The image depicts a long blond haired person in a tan jacket smiling.

Kate Lewandowski, M.S.

A problem solver with a passion for access and inclusion
Strategic Support Coordinator
A long brown haired person in blue striped blouse smiling in front of a white wall.

Brit Macias

Bringing more creativity to our world.
Media Specialist
A short brown haired person in glasses and blue polo shirt smiling in front of a white wall.

Jeffrey Palmer, PhD

Believes every research question deserves consideration over coffee.
Senior Research Associate
Portrait of a person in formal black top with short sleeves wearing glasses, smiling in front of a wall.

Carmen Rodriguez, M.A.

Technology-savvy, advocating for equal opportunities for all!
Community Relations Manager
The image features a woman with long blonde hair and glasses, smiling outdoors. She is wearing a light blue shirt underneath a dark sweater. The background is filled with lush green foliage, indicating a garden or park setting

Mary Sanderson

A thoughtful team player dedicated to growth through research and collaboration.
Research Specialist

Affiliated Personnel

A short black haired person in glasses smirking and wearing a zipped up jacket posing for picture.

William Albright

Senior Software Engineer
Kelton Bloxham's Headshot

Kelton Bloxham

Graduate Research Assistant
This image is of a man named Crescenciano Garcia who is standing in front of a building on which the name " George L Sanchez Building " is mentioned. He appears to be wearing a brown jacket with a T-shirt inside and is sporting an "I Love You" sign with the fingers on his right hand.

Crescenciano Garcia

Access Specialist
A portrait of a person in blue and white striped shirt and glasses, smiling and is against a wall.

Isabelle Garreaud

Project Specialist
A portrait of a Person with blonde hair wearing a yellow necklace, black shirt and smiling outdoors, and there is a tree in the background.

Jana Mauldin

Access Coordinator
A woman with long dark hair and a nose ring smiles while standing outdoors in front of green leafy plants. She is wearing a sleeveless black top.

Vanessa Molina, M.A.

Accessibility Specialist
A person wearing glasses and a black suit with blue undershirt and tie and a smile.

Christopher Moreland

Professor – Internal Medicine
A bald haired person in a blue buttoned up shirt and white polka dots smiling.

Kent Turner

Game Designer

Need Help?

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National Deaf Center