Participants will receive a pre-assessment form with questions related to diversity topics. 

Lydia Callis is an RID nationally certified Sign Language Interpreter who comes from 3 generations of Deaf family. American Sign Language is Lydia’s native language because her mother and three younger siblings are all profoundly Deaf, and it is through ASL that she feels most able to express herself and connect with her roots. Growing up as a Latinx (Mexican-American) OHCoda, she realized at a young age that not many other people shared her intersecting cultural identities — the first time Lydia connected with other Codas of Color, she finally felt truly seen and understood, in ways that she never expected or had known possible. She graduated in 2006 from the RIT ITP program and, after years of interpreting in the field, Lydia founded her own agency in 2014 called SignNexus where she is able to educate hearing entities, ensure equal access, and help raise the standards of quality within the interpreting profession. She is involved in various professional affinity groups, including Codas of Color and Diversity Academy, and is in the process of developing a mentorship program for BIPOC interpreters that creates a clear pathway for more passionate, aspiring young interpreters to pursue ASL interpreting as a career. In 2021, she completed the DeafBlind Interpreting National Training and Resource Center DBII Cohort training program for tactile and protactile interpreting to better understand, honor, and effectively meet the distinct communication needs of those who are DeafBlind. Coming from a Deaf family and being engaged to DeafBlind woman, Lydia is truly humbled to serve the expansive Deaf community, the interpreter community, and the hearing community through her work.

Celeste S. Owens-Samuels, a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) is a native of New York City who served as a community advocate, sign language interpreter and community organizer for 30+ years. She presently holds (NADV) certification with National Association of the Deaf and (NIC) with Registry Interpreters for the Deaf. A committed advocate for Black Deaf and Black Interpreters. Celeste founded several organizations and served in numerous roles over the last 30 years. Several years ago, Black interpreters were few in numbers. Celeste's concerns for increasing the numbers locally and nationally, led to the formation of the NYC chapter of the National Alliance of Black Interpreters (NAOBI-NYC). She served as President of the local NYC Chapter and then was elected as Vice President for NAOBI National. Celeste also founded the Stuyvesant Association for the Deaf (SAD). An organization established to provide social, cultural and recreational activities. She also was key in assisting with the establishment of NYC Black Deaf Advocates chapter (NYCBDA). Where she served as a board member and board chair. To address issues on education, employment and lack of services in the Black Deaf community. She then was elected to serve as assistant Executive Director and Acting Executive Director for National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA). A position held by the only hearing person since its inception. Celeste also founded NYC Deaf & HH Parents Association, CODAs of Color and most recently a summer camp program for KODAS (Kids of Deaf Adults) of Color. Supporting Deaf families, CODAS and Interpreters will forever be a passion for Celeste.

Gloria C. Izaguirre-Vargas was born and raised in “Bed-Stuy”, Brooklyn, New York. As the youngest of seven children and a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she was inspired to become an ASL Interpreter after seeing her older sister excel in the field. Since then, Gloria has achieved National Certifications, interpreted in various settings and platforms, and earned a Master’s in Social Justice. She also participated in a project with the University of Northern Colorado (UNCO) called CLIMB (Cultivating Legal Interpreters from Minority Backgrounds) which served to increase the number of interpreters of color and/or from heritage signing backgrounds through the creation of career paths for specialization in legal interpreting for practitioners from these underrepresented communities. Gloria continued with CLIMB as a facilitator for those interested in entering the field of legal interpreting. She is currently on staff with the State of New York Unified Court System. Gloria dedicates herself full-time to ASL interpretation and continues to expand her skills and knowledge. Recently, she had the pleasure of interpreting for Alicia Keys, “Hell’s Kitchen”, on Broadway. Outside of her career, Gloria cherishes her family and actively serves the Deaf Community through her local church.

Mona Mehrpour is a heritage signer of ASL and the daughter of two deaf parents. Over the past 15 years, she has interpreted in a variety of settings, including educational interpreting in K-12 and post-secondary settings, video relay, medical, community, theater and public services throughout Northern California. Throughout her interpreting journey, she has completed an interpreting training program, received a 4.0 on the EIPA, and became a nationally certified interpreter (NIC). Mona currently resides in Virginia, continuing her interpreting journey by engaging in both community and virtual work. She currently volunteers and serves as Member At Large under the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She previously served in numerous roles including as Chair for Deaf-Parented Interpreters Member Section. As an immigrant and a child of immigrants from Iran, Mona grew up in multiple deaf communities which is her source of inspiration for continual growth. She thrives on the connections she makes with her peers in dialogues about personal development and dissecting interpreting work in order to understand the decision-making processes to provide the best possible access for our diverse deaf communities. She is an avid language learner of the Persian language and is training to become a poly-lingual interpreter.

Educational Objectives - Participants will:

1. Understand the unique challenges faced by COC interpreters in diverse settings.
2. Develop strategies for effectively navigating language and cultural barriers while interpreting for marginalized communities as a COC.
3. Enhance interpreting skills to promote accurate and culturally sensitive communication.
4. Explore ways to address power dynamics and advocate for equitable access to language services.
5. Build a supportive network of COC interpreters to share experiences and resources for professional growth.

Participants will receive a Post-Assessment form that will identify their involvement and understanding of diversity topics covered in the webinar. 

Participants will provide feedback via a presenter evaluation form. 

This course is being offered for 0.2 PS PPO (Power, Privilege, and Oppression) CEUs.

Diversity Academy Online provides:

PowerPoints

Pre/post assessment questions

Active participation in the webinar and Q&A