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About

About

Our Mission

Learn.
Connect.
Transform.

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

What We Do

Our products and services are deaf-centered, evidence-based, and developed in response to community needs.

We offer online courses, online gaming tools for youth, data reports, research summaries, evidence-based resources, webinars, and more.

We also provide individualized consultation, training, and resources that help community members, organizations, and schools improve outcomes for deaf people in continuing education and training. 

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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.
  • Working towards equity with a systems lens, rather than situations, that amplify the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations towards #Deafsuccess. 
 

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).  Project Officer: Dr. Louise Tripoli. 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.

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

Meet Our Team

Leadership

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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

An educator who values equity, diversity, and passionate people.
Co-Director

Lore Kinast, EdD

Loves working toward better access for deaf students in higher education.
Director of Strategic Support

Michelle Morris

Big picture thinker connecting ideas and people to drive positive change.
Director of Communications

NDC Team

Malibu Barron

Lifelong learner navigating multiple truths and experiences using intersectional lens.
Strategic Support Specialist
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Benjamin Suits Baer

Passionate about self advocacy and the power of accessible education.
Accessibility Resource Specialist

Sarah Brown

An interpreter who likes to ensure that everyone has a seat at the table.
Access Coordinator
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Chase Burton

Creating change through visual mediums.
Media Producer

Latoya Dixon, M.Ed.

A disability rights advocate, ADA critic, and believer in inclusive accessibility for all.
Accessibility Resource Specialist

Karla Giese, EdD

An educator passionate about knowledge…always learning!
Instructional Designer
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Leele Girma

An engager providing accessible contents in bettering for advocacy and inclusion.
Social Media Coordinator
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Jen Higgins

Finds happiness at the intersection of accessibility, assessment, and research.
Strategic Support Coordinator

Kate Lewandowski, M.S.

A problem solver with a passion for access and inclusion.
Accessibility Resource Coordinator

Brit Macias

Bringing more creativity to our world
Media Specialist
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Jay Mills, M.A.

Digital technologist with a passion for accessibility and inclusive education.
Digital Content Manager

Diego Ozuna-Clark

A thinker, Diego values intentional conversations.
Community Engagement Coordinator

Jeffrey Palmer, PhD

Believes every research question deserves consideration over coffee.
Research Associate

Kent Turner

A game designer who aims to level up self-advocacy skills for deaf youth.
Game Designer

Affiliated Personnel

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William Albright

Using hands to communicate with humans & machines.
Senior Software Engineer

Jenna Beacom

A believer in the power of the written word.
Content Development Specialist
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Crescenciano Garcia

Two signed and two spoken languages, plus a sprinkling of digital aptitude
Access Specialist

Isabelle Garreaud

Small person with a big passion for inclusivity & equal access
Admin Support

Caroline K. Koo

Empowerment & Connection through Accessible Education, Inclusion, and Equity
Graduate Research Assistant - Healthcare

Jana Mauldin

Vulnerable, passionate interpreter/presenter focused on authentic connections.
Consultant

Kah Mendoza

Channeling creativity in storytelling through all forms of art and media.
Media Support Specialist

Christopher Moreland

Engaged in driving equitable access to healthcare, education, and careers.
Professor - Internal Medicine

Jonah Winninghoff

Beyond crunching numbers, analyst delivers results with meaning and integrity.
Data Analyst
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National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
The University of Texas at Austin
College of Education, SZB 5.110
1912 Speedway, Stop D4900 Austin, TX 78712

Phone/VP (512) 436-0144

Quick Links

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons International License.

© 2021 The University of Texas at Austin/The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk

This website was developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, OSEP #H326D210002. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government. Project Officer: Dr. Louise Tripoli

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