Jason Herbers
Jason 'Jaz' Herbers (he/him) is a proud first graduate of Tactile Communications, a DeafBlind-led Training Center in Seattle, Washington, now located in Monmouth, Oregon. Currently, he serves as a technology consultant for Protactile Kids and is also a Protactile educator, co-navigator trainer, and I Can Connect trainer. Jaz is passionate about Protactile (PT) and fully embraces PT.
Before dedicating his career to the DeafBlind community, Jaz had a successful 15+ year career in the Information Technology sector, culminating in his role as Computer Support Team Leader at Gallaudet University, where he earned his degree in 1996.
Jaz resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Deanna, their two young adult children, and their beloved cat.
Before dedicating his career to the DeafBlind community, Jaz had a successful 15+ year career in the Information Technology sector, culminating in his role as Computer Support Team Leader at Gallaudet University, where he earned his degree in 1996.
Jaz resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Deanna, their two young adult children, and their beloved cat.
Kelly Monahan
Kelly Monahan (she/her), DeafBlind, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I am currently living in Vermont’s beauty natural. I took ProTactile training at Tactile Communication LLC and became a ProTacile trainer. I hosted many DeafBlind community events includes DeafBlind Escape Cruise (DBEC) I am making a ProTactile movement and building ProTactile community in Vermont. ProTactile is a beautiful language which creates new experiences. I enjoy outdoor activities, explore natures, tactile craft, social life and travel.
Lesley Silva-Kopec
Lesley ‘Les’ Silva-Kopec (she/her) is passionate about supporting the DeafBlind community.
Growing up, Les and her DeafBlind sister faced significant challenges during their transition from being deaf to becoming DeafBlind, navigating this journey without adequate support. However, as she connected with more DeafBlind individuals, Les found a sense of belonging and accepted her identity as a DeafBlind person. This personal journey inspired her to seek out, learn and live Protactile.
As a freelance Protactile educator and CoNavigator trainer, Les is dedicated to those within the DeafBlind community.
Residing in New York City with her husband and their cherished Yorkie, Les enjoys meeting new people and exploring diverse experiences.
Growing up, Les and her DeafBlind sister faced significant challenges during their transition from being deaf to becoming DeafBlind, navigating this journey without adequate support. However, as she connected with more DeafBlind individuals, Les found a sense of belonging and accepted her identity as a DeafBlind person. This personal journey inspired her to seek out, learn and live Protactile.
As a freelance Protactile educator and CoNavigator trainer, Les is dedicated to those within the DeafBlind community.
Residing in New York City with her husband and their cherished Yorkie, Les enjoys meeting new people and exploring diverse experiences.
Rhonda Voight-Campbell
Rhonda 'Rho' Voight-Campbell (she/her) is adjunct faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the ASL and Interpreting Education Department. Specifically, she teaches undergraduate students the necessary skills to work effectively with DeafBlind people.
Rhonda also has expertise in Protactile communication strategies and provides consultation on the topic throughout the DeafBlind community and other parties. She collaborates with many DeafBlind folks from all backgrounds and in different environments/platforms, such as retreats, through direct trainings and on listservs. Rhonda believes in the full inclusion of DeafBlind people by fostering fuller access to information through the sense of touch.
Rhonda also has expertise in Protactile communication strategies and provides consultation on the topic throughout the DeafBlind community and other parties. She collaborates with many DeafBlind folks from all backgrounds and in different environments/platforms, such as retreats, through direct trainings and on listservs. Rhonda believes in the full inclusion of DeafBlind people by fostering fuller access to information through the sense of touch.
Roberto Cabrera
Roberto Cabrera (he/him) is a Director of RIT/NTID’s STEM Academy, and Roberto is known for his work in policy writing and grant leadership in education, interpreting, and service fields including vocational rehabilitation.
Roberto is a co-founder of Golden State DeafBlind Service Center promoting quality life within the DeafBlind community in the state of California and is one of the leading interpreter educator/trainer nationwide. Roberto is a people person and loves spending his time on various community-led projects, and he is an advocate for equal access to promote the quality lifestyle in the community of choice.
Roberto is a co-founder of Golden State DeafBlind Service Center promoting quality life within the DeafBlind community in the state of California and is one of the leading interpreter educator/trainer nationwide. Roberto is a people person and loves spending his time on various community-led projects, and he is an advocate for equal access to promote the quality lifestyle in the community of choice.
Sarah Goodwin
Sarah Goodwin here, I am DeafBlind from Texas. I graduated with a master’s degree in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education in May 2013 and am currently working on my doctorate in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. In addition, I took Protactile training at Tactile Communication, LLC, in Fall 2018.
I am super motivated to expand Protactile language knowledge, support interpreters in improving their Protactile language skills, and provide more communication access to DeafBlind individuals.
I am super motivated to expand Protactile language knowledge, support interpreters in improving their Protactile language skills, and provide more communication access to DeafBlind individuals.
Yashaira Romilus
Yashaira “Yash” Romilus identifies herself as DeafBlind Latine Queer. Her pronouns are she/her/hers. Yash’s ethnic roots came from her parents who were born and raised in Puerto Rico. She brings to this world knowledge and experience that cannot be duplicated. She has studied Social Work and Spanish at Gallaudet University. She has worked as a PT Educator since 2016 on both national and international levels. Yash specializes in training and instruction in Protactile (PT) language. Her work in various leadership and mentorship roles has allowed her to share her many accomplishments with others through education and outreach connections. Her dedication for educating others about Protactile is the reason for continuing this work with PLI. Her work has also been recognized as a PT trainer under DBII (DeafBlind Interpreting Institute) located at Western Oregon University. In addition, her work in PT theatre is a testament to her creativity and passion to work with the DeafBlind community.
(Tactile description: upon connecting through touch, you will feel a warmth that sends off a bubbly sensation as she traces her signature hearts on your back.)
(Tactile description: upon connecting through touch, you will feel a warmth that sends off a bubbly sensation as she traces her signature hearts on your back.)
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