American Association of the Deaf-Blind

Jill Gaus is from Michigan and has Ushers Syndrome. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of American Association of the Deaf-Blind for approximately 9 years. Jill has been involved in many committees for AADB, as the chair of Fundraising, as member of both the Finance and Ad-Hoc committees. Jill is  also serving as a member of the NTFDBI, National Task Force on Deaf-Blind Interpreting.

Jill is active on the state level too, and is the Director of Michigan DBW (DeafBlind Workshop), which is held at the DeSales Conference Center in Brooklyn, MI, each year. Jil is a Co-founder, Past President and currently the Treasurer of SHI-M=DB (Self-Help for Independence in Michigan: Equalizing the DeafBlind Community). She currently works too as a Consultant for DB Central, MI Services for Children and Youths who are DeafBlind.

Other accomplishments for Jill includes being the Coordinator/Facilitator of the first ever DeafBlind Transition Camp (DBTC) for DeafBlind teenagers, that was held at Michigan State University. She is a member of the Michigan Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Council, and a volunteer nurse for several different groups including the MI Youth Leadership Forum, many of the Deaf Children programs at the Holley Family Village, the Michigan DBW, and DBTC. Jill is also an instructor at Lansing Community College teaching ITP (Interpreter Training Program) students, nursing students, and EMT staff & students, about working with DeafBlind 

Lynn received her Associates Degree in Business Administration at the Southern Ohio Business College, her Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting at the College of Mount St. Joseph, earned a certificate from Northern Illinois University on Studies on Deaf-Blindness. She has been an accountant working at various companies, including a CPA firm, in the Cincinnati area. Lynn recently started a business called Jansen Events, as an Event Planner.

Lynn has Usher Syndrome, Type II and is legally blind as well as being profoundly hearing impaired. She is currently working hard learning American Sign Language.

She is very active in local, state, national, and international organizations. Lynn is proud to say that she is the founder and President of the Deaf-Blind Explorers, Past-President and a support staff of the Ohio Association of the Deaf-Blind, the Treasurer of the Visions and Opportunities, and the founder of South Western Ohio Deaf-Blind Association. As a founder and member of the Accessibility for Deaf-Blind of Ohio, she was appointed Chair of task force to develop a State-Wide Support Service Provider Program for all age groups who are visually-hearing impaired. Over the years, Lynn was a board member of Trustees for the American Council of the Blind of Ohio, for the American Council of the Blind of Greater Cincinnati Chapter, and for the Self Help for the Hard of Hearing (now Hearing Loss Association of America). For over fifteen years, Lynn has been a member of the American Association of Deaf-Blind, American Council for the Blind, and Hearing Loss Association of America. She was also a member of the state Rehabilitation Services Commission's Consumer Advisory Council. Lynn had the privilege of being a mentor for four young mentees who are deaf-blind and trained others on how to become mentors. She also was a chair for several conferences and retreats.

Not only does Lynn love to travel, she likes to dabble in the arts and has some pottery/ceramics and paintings on displays in the local galleries. By attending Ski for Light, she has discovered the love for cross-country skiing, as well as other outdoor activities such as, walking, hiking, tubing, and white-water rafting. Lynn is the mother of three children who are now young adults.

Debby Lieberman currently lives in New Mexico. She has been a member of AADB since 1990 and is an active member of the Zia Deaf-Blind Club of New Mexico and the Northern California Association of the Deaf-Blind where she served as secretary from 1991 until moving to New Mexico in 2001, and still serves on the NCADB Newsletter Team and Bylaws Committee. She is a braille transcriber and instructor, a volunteer SSP, and participates on the New Mexico Task Force on Deaf-Blind and the Advisory Committee for the Project for New Mexico Children and Youth Who Are Deafblind. Debby enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, caring for her orchid collection and spending time with friends and family.

Mike was born with a severe-to-profound bilateral hearing loss and mild vision problems (including a congenital cataract, which was removed at age 9 months). He was declared legally blind in September 2006 after a bout of increased vision loss during that spring and summer. His vision problems consist of: hypersensitivity to light (thus the wraparound sunglasses), retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and severe astigmatism. Mike also has bilateral cochlear implants; the left one since 2002 and the right one since 2007.

Mike’s postsecondary education is the following: BS Computer Science, University of Michigan - Dearborn (1989); BA Sign Language Studies, Madonna University (1993); MSA Software Engineering Administration, Central Michigan University (1998); BS Mathematics, Madonna University (December 2009).

Mike has been employed by the Internal Revenue Service since January 1987, as an Information Technology Specialist.

Mike brings a wealth of experience from various leadership positions, including all four officer positions, in various capacities. In addition, he is currently serving as President & Newsletter Editor for MI's SHI-M=DB, as Committee Member of MI's DeafBlind Workshop, President of the local mixed deaf/hearing bowling league, and Vice-President of the Great Lakes Chapter of VIEW (Visually Impaired Employee Workforce) and IRS/DEAF through IRS.

Mike is married and has two adult stepsons. His spare time activities include: spending time with his wife, studying French and Japanese, karate, swimming, bowling, and honing up his stand-up comedy skills..

Karyn graduated from college in May 1984 with a BA degree in Political Science. She has been happily married for 14 years as of August 2011. While she doesn’t have kids, she and her husband have 6 nieces and nephews. Karyn works as a receptionist in a small state agency, a job she has held for 20 years. She also really enjoys football and baseball.

Karyn is mostly blind, having only light perception with large objects up close, and has a mild to moderate hearing loss in which she wears hearing aids. Speech is her primary means of communication and she utilizes an FM system or Assistive Listening Device when necessary. She finds that she does better in meetings and large programs when using this type of equipment.

Karyn is also involved in the community, including the Illinois Council of the Blind (ICB) and its parent organization, the American Council of the Blind (ACB), as well as her local Lions Club. She has been involved in the Deaf-Blind community and active with these issues since 2000. At that time, Karyn joined the ACB Sight AND Sound Impaired (SASI) Committee, and became its program Chairperson in 2004 and then became its Chairperson in 2009. She also has served as ICB’s representative to the SSP Task Force in Illinois, serving since 2002. The Task Force has not been real active over the last couple of years as it is hoped that the new Illinois Association of the Deaf-Blind (ILADB) will take over this process. Karen is the President of this fledgling organization, having been elected in 2009 at the Illinois Deaf-Blind Weekend Retreat that year.

In creation of this organization, Karen is learning about leadership and how non-profits work. She feels that this work will serve her well in AADB as AADB moves forward.

Scott Davert has been serving on the Board of Directors since his appointment in March of 2010.

Education: Mr. Davert obtained his Bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005 with minors in creative writing and sociology. He also holds a Masters degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy from Western Michigan University. Mr. Davert completed internships at the Helen Keller National Center in Technology, Case Management, and the communications Learning Center. He also completed his internship for his Vision Rehabilitation Therapy degree at the Denver Department of Vocational Rehabilitation's division of Blind Services.

Serving the Deaf-Blind:

Mr. Davert first served as a member at large for SHI-M=DB, a consumer organization which advocates to further increase the rights of the Deaf-Blind in the state of Michigan. He later became their Webmaster and eventually served as the Vice President for this organization.

In addition, Mr. Davert has published articles on various forms of technology and services for those who are Deaf-Blind in SHI-M=db's news letter, as well as on the AADB website. He is currently serving as a member on The Board of Directors for AADB. He is also serving as a co-chair of the Multi-Media committee and is a member on the Advocacy committee.

Present Employment:

Mr. Davert works as a Senior instructor at the Helen Keller National Center, teaching various aspects of technology, as well as Braille, to individuals who are Deaf-Blind. Two of Mr. Davert's passions in life are reading and technology. He says: "Braille and technology are two things that open so many doors for those who are Deaf-Blind. These two things allow a Deaf-Blind person to access information, to have a higher chance of being gainfully employed, and allows those who are Deaf-Blind to lead more independent lives. As such, both in my career and in serving the Deaf-Blind community, it is my mission to do whatever I can to further the development of both services, and the technology itself that pertains to people who are Deaf-Blind."

Mark Gasaway has been a member of AADB since 1996 and was a board member from 1998 - 2004, running for the board again in 2007 after resigning at the end of 2004.

He has a BA in Social Work from Gallaudet University and MA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. He enjoys running, walking, biking, and other outdoor activities.

He has been very active in promoting awareness for the Deaf-Blind, serving on many state boards, committees, and stakeholder groups as well as attendiong many different meetings where he represented the deaf-blind community.

He serves on the Atlanta area Metro Transit Authority as a representative to their Elderly and Disabled Access Committee where he brings up concerns for the Deaf and the Deaf-Blind. He also speaks up for people with other disabilities.

Mark is also the Chairman for the Georgia Deaf-Blind Awareness event, which schedules a luncheon every year to celebrate deaf-blind awareness as well as a Proclamation Signing Day with the Georgia Governor. He is also the Vice-President for the Georgia Association of the Deaf-Blind.

Mark is also a clown where he entertains people of all ages!

Elizabeth Spiers is a long-term member of AADB and is a former AADB staff member.  She used to edit The Deaf-Blind American and "AADB Today." She now lives in Richmond, Virginia and is the DeafBlind Program Director at the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired.

Elizabeth grew up in Richmond and returned to her home town after many years of living in the Washington, DC area. Before that, she used to run a program for DeafBlind people in the Washington DC area. She set up the volunteer SSP services for DeafBlind residents in the Washington, DC area and has long been interested in the subject of SSPs and SSP programs. Elizabeth loves to read and run, and is an avid Harry Potter fan.

Kacie Weldy is a long time member of AADB after being diagnosed with Usher Syndrome type II in 2001. Kacie is a native to Indiana, having been born and raised there and mainstreamed through the public school system. She later graduated college from Purdue University with degrees in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. She has worked in the Medical industry and currently is a homemaker, wife to her husband of 15 years, Mike, and Mom to two girls and a boy, along with being an advocate whenever the need arises.

Kacie has been active since her collegiate career, serving on Residence Hall governing bodies as Treasurer and Vice President. After her diagnosis with Usher Syndrome, she has become very involved with the Indiana Deaf Blind Association, serving as Treasurer, Secretary, and Vice President. She is currently serving on the committee for the 2012 InDBA Deaf-Bind Workshop as the SSP Coordinator. She has also learned to work as an advocate through attending the Partners in Policymaking program, IN Class of 2009. This program has allowed her to create and utilize an extensive network of collegues when needed. Since then, Kacie and her guide dog, Rei, has given testimony at the IN State House in support of legislation for guide dog users in 2009 and in 2010 fought for community inclusion through the ability to participate and walk in the Indianapolis Mini Marathon with her guide dog, Rei.

Kacie is also busy and committed to her family and church, as she is on the Disabilities Leadership Team, is active with the Indy West Great Banquet Community, and leads a bible study group with her husband. In her role as Mom, she is busy with her children's school activities and studies, as well as extracurricular activities such as competition gymnastics, travel basketball, and football. She also participates within her community, giving presentations about guide dog and Deaf-Blind awareness.

Christopher C. Woodfill is from Wisconsin and has Usher Syndrome Type I. He is a culturally Deaf ASL user with extensive leadership experience in the Deaf community. He joined the DeafBlind community after attending the Helen Keller National Center for the first time during the summer of 2008. Since then, he has co-facilitated the HKNC summer DeafBlind teen camp program with Angela Brown-Greer in 2009 and 2010 and with Amy Griffin-Otterberg in 2011. Chris has also served on the HKNC Advisory Council since the spring of 2010. He also serves on the Wisconsin DeafBlind Technology Assistance Project Board, which is administered by the Wisconsin Educational Service Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since 2009. Lastly, he has presented on topics relating to DeafBlindness in Wisconsin, primarily to the Deaf and interpreting communities. He became an AADB member in the spring of 2010 and attended his first AADB Symposium during the summer of 2011. He then joined the AADB board after the symposium, by appointment.

Chris is a cheese head being born and raised in Wisconsin. He attended and graduated from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf and spent his senior year in Merida, Venezuela as an American Field Service exchange student in 1993. Chris graduated from Gallaudet University with Bachelor’s degrees in history and Spanish. Chris then received his Masters degree in Latin American Studies; specializing in history, politics and regional development from George Washington University in 1999. Chris then returned back to Wisconsin to teach high school education at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf where he has been employed since 1999. In 2005, Chris completed a second Masters degree in Secondary Deaf Education at McDaniel College.

In Wisconsin, he has been heavily involved in the Deaf community. Chris was secretary of the Southern Lakes Association of the Deaf from 2000 to 2004. He was also president of Wisconsin School of the Deaf Alumni Association (WSDAA) from 2000 to 2006 and a board member-at-large from 2006 to 2008. WSDAA hosted a very successful 150th anniversary celebration in 2002 and added to its programs, the Service Hall of Fame as well. Chris then joined the Wisconsin School for the Deaf Foundation board in 2003; became the secretary from 2004 to 2007, then president from 2007 to 2010. Now Chris is a board member until his term expires in 2013. Focused on fundraising and board recruitment, he became vice-president of the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf in a competitive election in 2009.

Some of his other key accomplishments are that he played a key role in shepherding the sign language interpreter licensure bill through the state legislature in 2009 and 2010. Chris is currently the Chair of the legislative and bylaws committee and he was re-elected by acclimation in 2011 for another term until 2013. Chris currently serves on the Sign Language Interpreter Council appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin until 2014. He has also completed the administrative rule-writing process and is now on the exemption request and disciplinary action subcommittees. Last, but not least, he is working on a project for National Association of the Deaf related to creating a set of composite bylaws for the various state associations of the Deaf to emulate.

His hobbies are traveling all over the United States and the world, chatting till his hands fall off, having hot political discussions, learning new things every day, eating ethnic cuisines, reading books, Deaf history, watching HGTV, History, Food, Discovery and other such channels, as well as spending time with family and friends.