Ashley Benton
A white woman with platinum, chin-length hair and glasses is smiling confidently at the camera with her arms crossed and tucked in front of her. She is wearing a white blouse with a tan parka sweater over it. She is standing outside on a grassy hill with a partial view of a lake behind her.
Ashley Benton, MSW is an advocate with more than 20 years of experience in providing a wide array of services to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind communities. She has been recognized for outstanding leadership and service within these communities. Ms. Benton is currently the Deaf/DeafBlind Services Coordinator and a member of the Executive Program Coordination Team with the NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH). Prior to joining DSDHH, she was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Mental Health and Substance Abuse therapist. She is DeafBlind with Usher Syndrome and communicates using tactile American Sign Language, ProTactile and Haptics. Ms. Benton received her MSW with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind specialty certification from East Carolina University. Her experience includes serving as director of the NC Deaf-Blind Associates (NCDBA) DeafBlind Weekend at Camp Dogwood, board member of DeafBlind Citizens in Action (DBCA), long-time representative of the Deaf and DeafBlind communities on the NC Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, board member of the NC Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing Board, member of the National Task Force on DeafBlind Interpreting and serving as coordinator of the AADB Mentoring Pilot Project. Ms. Benton grew up on a farm in eastern NC, is married to a sign language interpreter and has a teenage son. She enjoys reading, socializing with friends, and riding her tandem bike.
Liam Coleman
Bio coming soon!
Korian DeMont Thomas
Koko, a Black DeafBlind man, with a bald head and a long salt and pepper curly beard, is wearing a gray button up shirt and cream colored suit jacket, and is looking directly into the camera and smiling. The background is dark blue.
Korian “Koko” DeMont Thomas was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and identifies as Black DeafBlind. Thomas earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree specializing in HIV education and a Master of Public Administration, both from Gallaudet University, and a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas.
Pronouns: Koko/he/him/his
Pronouns: Koko/he/him/his
Rhonda Eernisse
Bio coming soon!
Christina Gralak
Bio coming soon!
Venesse Guy
Bio coming soon!
Sonia Hernandez
Bio coming soon!
Jose Isais
Bio coming soon!
Juan Isais
Bio coming soon!
Peter JameS
Bio coming soon!
Andrew KopeC
Bio coming soon!
Jaimi Laird
Bio coming soon!
Lorita MoorE
Bio coming soon!
Jelica NucciO
Bio coming soon!
Ginny Nyholm
Bio coming soon!
HEATHER PAVEY
Pavey, a white female with short salt and pepper hair wearing a golden rainbow mirrored aviator sunglasses, Forest green button up collared shirt with a dark camel colored leather jacket, and is smiling at the camera. Trees in the background.
Pavey is a professional independent consultant, educator, mentor, and presenter. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Prior work experience includes but is not limited to employment at University of Rochester Medical Center and at Texas School for the Deaf. A proud Michigan native, Pavey is now a resident of Austin, Texas for over 15 years. She enjoys taking on a variety of education and mentoring opportunities. Pavey is also a well known massage therapist. She devotes her free time to co-hosting community events for DeafBlind inclusion. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, hiking, SUP, camping, and other indoor hobbies like crocheting, playing cards, and is also a budding artist.
Pronouns; she / they.
Pronouns; she / they.
Diane PouliN
Bio coming soon!
Rossana “RoRo” ReiS
Bio coming soon!
Sharon SackS
Bio coming soon!
Phillip Smith
Bio coming soon!
Allyson Snow
White female with brown hair in a ponytail with bangs on one side. She is wearing brown and black frame eyeglasses with a black scoop t-shirt and smiling at the camera.
Allyson Snow is a homemaker who adores her fur babies (4 cats and a guide dog). Originally from Long Island, NY she grew up attending a Deaf School and graduated from NTID with an AA degree in Liberal Arts in 1999. With many years of experience in the DB community in Minnesota, this socialization and connection led to an acceptance of her DeafBlind identity. She has been involved on several Boards and committees related to DeafBlind events, particularly those related to the DeafBlind Service of Minnesota and the Association of DB of Minnesotans. She played an active role in these organizations from 2004 to 2007.
She moved to North Carolina in 2015 and began to engage with the local DeafBlind community there through the DeafBlind Self Advocacy Forum, and she now serves on the Board for the NC DeafBlind Association, and works hard to ensure everyone in the DeafBlind Community has the opportunity to participate in activities and leadership roles at various fun events. She started to learn Protactile language a year ago and continues on this journey of learning each day. She is very excited to be part of Protactile Language Interpreting Institute and is eager to learn more so she can take that knowledge back to NC and share it with other DeafBlind people in NC.
Allyson also loves swimming in herendless pool and loves visiting any place with pools and socializing with interesting people.
She moved to North Carolina in 2015 and began to engage with the local DeafBlind community there through the DeafBlind Self Advocacy Forum, and she now serves on the Board for the NC DeafBlind Association, and works hard to ensure everyone in the DeafBlind Community has the opportunity to participate in activities and leadership roles at various fun events. She started to learn Protactile language a year ago and continues on this journey of learning each day. She is very excited to be part of Protactile Language Interpreting Institute and is eager to learn more so she can take that knowledge back to NC and share it with other DeafBlind people in NC.
Allyson also loves swimming in herendless pool and loves visiting any place with pools and socializing with interesting people.
Jesse StanleY
Bio coming soon!
Patty StarR
Bio coming soon!
Cai SteelE
Bio coming soon!
Savi ToolE
Bio coming soon!
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