[NFB-DB] DB Leadership Now! A few hours left!

[Aimee]

Aimee, a DB Missourian.  I hope this will go through.  This is next to final draft.  Support the DB community who are us!  More job opportunities for the DeafBlind communities!

DeafBlind Leadership NOW <>
 
Final Edition
August 5/6, 2024
xx signatures
Including 5 current DeafBlind HKNC employees
And the sole DeafBlind member of the HKS Board of Trustees
 
Contents
 
Introduction
The Petition
The Signatures
Appendix: Bryen M Yunashko’s Statement
 
Introduction
 
This is a special kind of petition, signed only by DeafBlind. If you identify as DeafBlind and would like your name added to the petition: 
 
Please email jlc at johnleeclark.com <mailto:jlc at johnleeclark.com> with:
 
Your name
Your credentials, such as degrees and certificates--optional
Your current or former jobs or roles—optional
 
Hearing and sighted friends and DeafBlind alike are encouraged to spread our call for signatures and public statements of support. Anyone wishing to speak directly to Helen Keller Services Board of Trustees can write to Larry Kinitsky, Chair, at lkinitsky at helenkellerservices.onmicrosoft.com <mailto:lkinitsky at helenkellerservices.onmicrosoft.com>
 
A new, updated, and numbered edition of this petition will be circulated every day for eleven days as it gathers more and more names. Signatures are accepted until August 5, 2024, when the latest version will be sent to HKS Board of Trustees and the U.S. Department of Education.
 
Feel free to forward, post on Facebook and via other social media, discuss our cause across all media, and initiate a variety of other actions. Organizations and agencies, whether DeafBlind-related or -adjacent or in solidarity, are urged to consider making public statements.
 
Thank you for your support!
 
The Petition
 
We, the undersigned members of various DeafBlind communities, are fed up with Helen Keller National Center continuing to be controlled by hearing and sighted people. HKNC’s mission is to serve DeafBlind, yet has always resisted DeafBlind representation and leadership. 
 
Helen Keller Services, HKNC’s distant parent entity, recently selected yet another hearing and sighted person to be HKNC’s next executive director. Qualified DeafBlind candidates, including the top finalist, were passed over. HKNC has never had a DeafBlind person hold the position.
 
The current HKS Board of Trustees has only one DeafBlind representative.
 
Qualified DeafBlind leaders had expressed interest in the director position or applied for it since at least 1956, when HKNC was known as the Anne Sullivan Macy Services federal pilot program. There have been protests before. In recent years, HKNC made unspoken but clear promises that a DeafBlind director would be hired “next time.”
 
Enough is enough. It’s time.
 
We make the following four demands:
 
First, a DeafBlind person is appointed executive director of HKNC.
 
Second, HKNC is separated from Helen Keller Services (for the Blind), so that HKNC becomes its own, autonomous entity.
 
Third, HKNC’s newly created Board of Trustees is made up of 70 percent or more DeafBlind members.
 
Fourth, HKS and all of its subsidiaries will not retaliate against any HKS or HKNC employee, family member, or student for any civil action related to the selection process or related issues.
 
With this petition, we are also taking the opportunity to introduce ourselves a little, to demonstrate how diverse and talented we are. HKNC has no excuses.
 
The HKS Board of Trustees has until August 9, 2024, to comply with our first demand and begin legally binding transition processes toward fulfilling the next two demands. Failure to do so will prompt the second stage of our movement.
 
The Signatures
 
Five current DeafBlind HKNC employees
Requesting anonymity
 
Lisa Ainscough
Former fundraising specialist, DeafBlind Program, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Carolynsue M. Alflen 
Founder and former president, Missouri DeafBlind Association 
 
Bryan L. Alkire, J.D.
Former HKNC student
 
Nicole Alleman
Former board member, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Sue Anderson
Voracious reader, grandmother
 
Xayan al-Amin
Student, College of the Sequoias, Fashion Design and Merchandising
 
Annie LeJeune Arabie
Loving housewife
 
Dan Arabie
Founder, National Association of the DeafBlind
 
Kim W. Archer, Honors B.A.
Disability Studies
 
Jorge H. Aristizabal
“I vote for this petition!”
 
Heidi Aulenbach
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Karen Bailey, L.M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Michigan
 
Jennifer Baratta 
Former job seeker from Helen Keller National Center
 
Denis Bardet
France 
 
Laurie Barnes
President, Alberta Society of the DeafBlind
 
Aziz Bennani  
"Bien à vous"
 
Nadyne Berger
Usher, aide social, membre de l’ASUQ, locataire de la MDS
 
Nandani Bhowan
“Keep in touch!”
 
Ed Borrone
Former HKNC student; master woodworker
 
Erin Bradford
Librarian
“DeafBlind Can!”
 
Tashi Bradford, Ph.D. candidate
Linguistics, Radboud University; owner, Totaal Languaging
 
Jay Breese
Set-up specialist, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Morgan Breese, M.A.
Manager, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
"No thanks to benevolent ableism"
 
Becca Brenowitz, M.P.A.
Protactile Theatre actress; secretary, barista, and line cook
 
Esty Brenowitz, Ph.D. candidate
Gallaudet University
 
Hayley Broadway, M.Ed.
Co-principal investigator, Protactike Kids grant, Gallaudet University; owner, Touch Seeds
 
Maria V. Brook
Never misses a meeting or an event
 
Scott Burch, B.S.
President's Scholar, Gallaudet University
 
Roberto Cabrera, M.S.
Former Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
 
Christian Call
Podcaster, volunteer, France
 
Emili Capili, M.A.
Public relations coordinator, DeafBlind Community of Texas
 
Dr. Francis Casale
Former candidate for the position of executive director of HKNC
 
Krista Caudill
Advocate; former HKNC student
 
Caroline Cerilli
Research Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Center
 
Aimee Chappelow
Program Specialist, Missouri SSP-CN Program; former V.R. counselor; past president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Colleen Charbonneau
“Please add my name”
 
Lisa Chiango
Assistive technology trainer, Perkins School for the Blind; vice president, DeafBlind Contact Center 
 
Fanny Chopot
Product Owner Cybersecurity, France
 
Daniel Chu
Canada
 
John Lee Clark, Ph.D. candidate
Author of “Touch the Future: A Manifesto in Essays”
 
Keith Clark, M.A., C.P.A.C.C. 
Marketing manager; former director, DeafBlind Program, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Vincent Clark, M.A.
Retired DeafBlind specialist; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Debra Cole
Educator, Lexington School for the Deaf
 
Elizabeth Cole-Pope
Arkansas
 
Steven D. Collins, Ph.D.
Retired linguist and professor, Gallaudet University
 
James Cooley, B.F.A.
Artist
 
Jason Corning
Accessibility consultant
 
Noëlie Coupin
Degree in Psychology, France
 
Hervé Couture
Usher, employé de la MDS, membre de l’ASUQ, locataire de la MDS
 
Iris Cruz-Whidden
Board member, Florida DeafBlind Association
 
John Cunniff
Retired employee, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center
 
Nykkolas C. Dauzyn 
ProTactile educator and mentor; Dialectical Behavioral Therapist; Certified Trauma-Informed Care Peer
 
Barbara Davis
Traveler
 
Dana Dehaesus
President, Northern California Association of Deaf-Blind
 
Daniel Deschênes
Ex-directeur général et vice-président de l’Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec
 
Mindy Dill, M.A.
Retired school counselor; former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Melissa Doty
Former HKNC student; all-around DeafBlind services
 
Jacqueline Doyle
"Please listen to the community"
 
Marie Doyle
Former executive director, DeafBlind Contact Center
 
Abigail Strauss Drake
Manager, Alumni Engagement, Gallaudet University 
 
Marsha Drenth, C.V.R.T., C.A.T.I.S. and T.V.I. in process
Access Technology Instructor; Social Worker; student, Salus-Drexel University 
 
Paul Ducharme
“Feel me in or I mean count me in!”
 
Rhonda Eernisse, B.A. 
Leader, Texas DeafBlind Camp; former case manager, Access Alaska, University of Alaska-Anchorage
 
Jagannath Einhorn
Performer and media artist; DeafBlind Entertainment
 
Kristeen Elliott
Giraffee and cat lover
 
Laura Engler   
"Anything is possible!"   
 
Jackie Engler-Morris
Interpreting and Professional Services Manager, DeafBlind Service Center
 
David Ernest Ennis, B.S.
Artist
 
Tom Erickson
Longtime member, Minnesota DeafBlind Association
 
Ridge G. Euler 
"Peace and many thanks!"
 
John Fenicle, M.S.
Teacher
 
Lisa Ferris, M.Ed.
Curriculum specialist and co-owner, Miles Access Skills Training, LLC
 
Victor Figuereo
Former HKNC student
 
Lisa Flaherty-Vaughn
Vice president, DeafBlind Support and Access Network
 
Stephanie (Steffy) Floux 
Belgium, DeafBlind mentor, co-founder and former president of the national French DeafBlind advocacy organization
 
Zachary Fox, B.A.
Historian 
 
Tammy Frost
Minnesota
 
Jon Gabry Jr., B.F.A., M.A.
Fine artist; educator; former HKNC student
 
Erick Gallegos
Website accessibility specialist
 
Haben Girma, J.D.
Author of “Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law”
 
Laura Godbold, M.A. 
Former adjunct professor, University of North Florida and Carolina University
 
Kevin Goodovin
Maintenance Services, Cherokee County Schools
 
Alberto Gonzales
Protactile Mentor
 
Sarah Goodwin, M.S.
Adjunct instructor and doctoral student; board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas 
 
Lue Gordon
“Sincerely”
Andy Granda 
Amateur endurance athlete
 
Martin Greenberg
Stalwart
 
Joseph Grigely, D.Phil.
Professor, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
 
Heather Grizzle
Horticulturalist, gardener, writer, mother of two young children, wife of a fellow DeafBlind
 
James E. Groff, M.P.A. 
“A qualified DeafBlind person should lead a DeafBlind-centered organization”
 
Bryan R. Grubb
“I, Bryan R. Grubb, sign this petition”
 
Jon Paul Guerci
Former trainer, iCanConnect
 
Suzanne “Suzi” Guimond, M.A.
Former HKNC Regional Representative, Region 5; owner, Embrace Within LLC 
 
Diane Plassey Gutierrez
Retired guidance counselor
 
Antonia Venesse Guy, B.A.
Certified Professional Astrologer; owner, Astro Woke; board member, Deaf Women United
 
Thor Halvorsen, B.A. 
Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing
 
John Hamilton, Jr.
HKNC student
 
Cristina Hartmann, J.D., M.F.A.
Writer
 
Casey Hassett
Founder, Tucson DeafBlind Social; chairperson, Community Outreach Program for the Deaf
 
Guinevere Head-Allen
Associate teacher and paraprofessional; student, Gallaudet University
 
Jose Herrera
Retired; longtime member, Minnesota DeafBlind Association
 
Jennifer Hess, M.A.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling; president, Board of Trustees, DeafBlind Service Center
 
Mike Higgins
Director, Linda Laurie Associates
 
Chris Holbrook
“DeafBlind need to be on the board!”
 
Rox’e Homstad
Assistive technology trainer, A.T.A.C.P., NolaVision LLC; service animal trainer, Believe Ability LLC
 
Brittany Houghton 
Job seeker; former HKNC student
 
Donna Huff 
Former coordinator, Pittsburgh DeafBlind Gathering
 
Amanda Lee Huston 
Former HKNC student
“You can’t put us in one mold”
 
Sarah Idler, C.D.I.
ASL interpreter
 
Katherine Inman, B.A. 
Graduate student, T.V.I. in process
 
Tracie Fields Inman
Writer; former first vice president, National Federation of the Blind Deafblind Division
 
Tara L. Invidiato, M.Ed.
Former vice president, American Association of the DeafBlind; Tactifying Language Integrations
 
Ashley (AJ) Jackson, M.S.W. 
Recent graduate, Gallaudet University
 
Ronald Jackson
“MY name is Ronald Jackson”
 
Timothy Jackson
Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Linda Jacques 
Présidente de l'ASUQ, Montréal, Québec.
 
Kathy Jankowski, Ph.D.
Retired Dean of Clerc Center, Gallaudet University
Author of “Agatha Tiegel Hanson: Our Places in the Sun”; 
 
James Jensen
Former HKNC student
 
Grace Johnson
Community member
 
Kristin Johnson
Community member
 
Najma Johnson, M.A.
Director, Multicultural Student Programs, Gallaudet University; owner, Grow Touch, plant shop tailored for DeafBlind
 
Victor Jones
Chef; former HKNC student
 
Debra Kahn
President, Washington State DeafBlind Citizens; Braille instructor
 
Florida Kivlin
“I support it!”
 
Melissa Kosa
“I support this 100 percent!”
 
Evan Kurth, Certification in I.T.
Amazon employee 
 
Line Laforest
Agente de communication
Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec (ASUQ)
 
 Mark Landreneau
Governmental relations specialist, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Jaimi Lard
Retired spokesperson, Perkins School for the Blind; former president, DeafBlind Contact Center
 
Amanda Lee
Intermediate Typist Clerk, Los Angeles County Publc Works
 
Jon Leitzke
Student, Rochester Institute of Technology
 
Riss Leitzke, M.B.A. candidate
Accessibility Coordinator, Wilderness Inquiry
 
Lucie Lessard
Cours Braille
 
Jacques Levesque
Sourd-aveugle, locataire de la MDS, membre de l’ASUQ
 
Christopher Loomis
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Sheila Loos
“Proud DeafBlind mother and grandmother in Kansas City, Missouri!”
 
Craig MacLean
Creator, Five-Star Disability blog
 
Christopher Magliocchino 
Retired IBM employee; proud sibling; cat lover
 
Victoria Magliocchino, M.Ed.
Retired teacher, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; past president, Florida DeafBlind Associaton
 
France Marchand
Sourde-aveugle, membre de l’ASUQ, locataire de la MDS
 
Josiane Marcoux
Sourde-aveugle, employée de l’ASUQ
 
Lisa van der Mark, Ph.D. candidate
The Netherlands
 
Maria Marquez
Loyal member, Florida DeafBlind Association
 
Eddie Martinez Jr., M.P.A. candidate
Accommodations Coordinator, Office of Students With Disabilities, Gallaudet University
 
Steven McCoy
Producer-Journalist, Sessions with Steven
 
Megan McHugh
Assistive technology instructor
 
Deborah McKenney-McNally
In process of founding Michigan DeafBlind Advocates; former chairperson, American Deaf and Hard of Hearing Postal Workers
 
Sarah K. McMillen, M.A.
Educator
 
Anne McQuade
Director, DeafBlind Access of the South
 
Kelly Monahan
Founder, DeafBlind Escape Cruises
 
Victorica D. Monroe, PhD candidate
Author of “Swishing”
 
Morrison, M.Ed.
Accessibility Consultant and Trainer 
 
Eddie Morten
Brother of Pier
 
Pier Morten
Brother of Eddie
 
Annie Moureau 
Secrétaire générale puis vice-présidente de Association Nationale pour les Personnes Sourdaveugles
 
Lea E. Moynihan, M.A. 
Former employee of  the State of North Carolina
 
Mae Mullen, B.A. 
CNC Machinist, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Teresa Myers
Missouri
 
Marquis Nath
“I’m DeafBlind!”
 
Katie Noel 
Mail inserter, Tandem
 
Chantal Nolin
Membre, Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec.
 
Scott Oberg
Librarian
 
Ryan Ollis, B.A.
DeafBlind Program Coordinator 
 
Angie C. Orlando, M.F.A.
Author of “Through the Tunnel: Becoming DeafBlind”
 
Sonia Orsingher
France 
 
Ruth Osorio
Associate Professor of English and Women's and Gender Studies
 
Patrick Pallies, M.S.W.
DeafBlind Specialist, New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
 
Angela Palmer, M.A.
Artist
 
Karen Park, B.A. 
Certified Horticulturist and Consultant; founder, Ecological Horticulture of Deaf; former coordinator, DeafBlind Communuty Class
 
Sricamalan Pathmanathan
Board member, Canadian National Society of the DeafBlind; chair, Action Committee, DeafBlind Association of Toronto
 
Heather Lee Pavey, B.S. 
DB YEA! Mentor; retreat director, DeafBlind Community of Texas 
 
René Pellerin
Sole DeafBlind member of HKS Board of Trustees; former president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Angele Periard
"Thank you!"
 
Matthew Pettit
Former HKNC student
 
Randall Pope
President, North Carolina Association of the DeafBlind; former president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Guillaume Portalier
Vocational rehabilitation counselor, France
 
Samantha Porter
Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Diane Poulin
Protactile Educator
 
Lawrence Poulin
Athlete
 
Roger Poulin, B.A.
Technology instructor, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Kim Powers
Dynamo
 
Lenore Pressley, B.S.W.
Vice President, Northern California Association of the DeafBlind
 
Concetta Pucci, PhD., L.I.C.S.W., L.C.S.W.
University Professor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker 
 
Amelia Puildo
Accountant
 
Richard Putt
Former HKNC student; retired fiscal employee
 
Timothy Putt
Former federal government employee
 
Kayla Raquel, M.S.W.
“We want DeafBlind Leadership NOW!”
 
Jaime Recht, B.S.
Program Analyst, Federal Railroad Administration
 
Cheryl L. Rhodes
Co-founder, Florida DeafBlind Association
 
Jay Rhodes
Graduate student, Gallaudet University
 
Elio Riggillo
Protactile Educator
 
Brenda Roberts
“Yes, I agree!”
 
Jayce T. Romero 
Former HKNC client
 
Yashaira “Yash” Romilus
Protactile Educator; co-founder, Protactile Theatre; former HKNC student
 
Christine ‘Coco’ Roschaert
Educator, writer, traveler
 
Amy Rowson, B.S.
Educator; former trainer, Missouri SSP Program
 
Trudy Ryall
Australia
 
Marc Safman 
C.E.O., Safman Consulting; co-founder, New York DeafBlind Advocates
 
Winfield Sainpreux
Artist; founder, Florida DeafBlind Events
 
Rosemary T. Sanborn
Community member
 
Jane Sayer
Chairperson, Mantioba Deaf-Blind Association
 
Heather Schoenwald, M.S. 
Johns Hopkins University; Liberty Resources Inc.; former director, Oregon Commission for the Blind
 
Barry R. Segal, M.A.
Instructor, Saint Paul College
 
Faruqee Sikder
“Respectfully”
 
Robert T. Sirvage, M.A.
Design researcher
 
Elsa Sjunneson
Author of “Being Seen: One Deafblind Woman’s Fight to End Ableism”
Shaunna Smith
Collector
 
Allyson Snow
Protactile mentor
 
Sidney Snow 
Board member, DeafBlind Community of Texas 
Romain Solinas, M.A. candidate
Linguistics; Protactile educator
 
Debbie Sommer
Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Nancy Sommer
Former Independent Living Skills instruction, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Thomas Soret
President, Unanimes France; co-chair, French national task force on deafblindness
 
Jesse Stanley
President, DeafBlind Support and Access Network; director, DeafBlind Retreat of New England
 
Patty Starr 
Retired, New York DeafBlind Advocates

Tracy Stine, B.S.
ASL teacher and freelance writer 
 
Cai Steele
“The irony is I’m (a student) here at HKNC right now”
 
Caryn Tenin, B.S.
Leader, Arizona DeafBlind Coalition
 
Angela Theriabult
Executive Director, DeafBlind Service Center 
 
André Thibeault, M.A.
Ancien chargé de cours, Faculté d'éducation de l'Université d'Ottawa; Ancien vice-président, Association du Syndrome de Usher du Québec
 
C. Thomas
“DeafBlind people should have an active role”
 
Tonilyn Todd
Determined
 
Barbie Tresnak
Entrepreneur, BYLD/Oncore Solar
 
Winnie Tunison, B.A. 
President, DeafBlind Contact Center
 
Jesus Valdes
Former HKNC student; board member, DeafBlind Contact Center
“Nothing about us without us!”
 
Bert Van de Sompele
Multiple leadership roles, including with the European Deafblind Youth Camp
 
Soline Vennetier, Ph.D. candidate
Co-founder, Réseau National des SourdAveugles 
 
Bruce Visser, M.A.
One of three DeafBlind siblings; master craftsman; access technology trainer
 
Rhonda Voight-Campbell
Protactile Educator; owner, Two Fronds Consulting
“DeafBlind Know Best!”
 
Angeli Wahlstedt
Former software developer
 
Liz Walker
Former HKNC student; former board member, American Association of the DeafBlind
“I’m a supporter of the whole DeafBlind community!”
 
Lara Rose Wall
President, Florida DeafBlind Association; founder, PT Dream Adventures and DeafBlind Voyage 
“It’s time we kicked HKNC’s butt”
 
Amanda Warren, M.P.A. 
Coordinator, DeafBlind Community Class and DeafBlind Retreat, Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind
 
Ann Warren
Vice president, Georgia Association of the DeafBlind; art director, DeafBlind Access of the South Retreat
 
Annmaree Watharow, Ph.D.
Researcher, University of Sydney
 
Janet Wayne
Member, DBCS
 
Krista Webb
Wood-burning artist
 
Theresa Wells
Former HKNC student; founder, Breezin’ Bytes, LLC
 
Arizona Welsh
Former treasurer, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Molly Wezel-Peterson
President, Minnesota DeafBlind Association
 
Brett Wilhelm
HKNC student and intern; president, Sight and Sound Impaired of St. Louis; manager, Missouri and Nebraska SSP programs 
“Time has long since come to spread a positive example”
 
Ernest Willman, M.Ed. 
Certified Deaf Interpreter; Professional Life Coach
 
John Winstead
Former president, American Association of the DeafBlind
 
Brandie Young
Employee, AlphaPointe; founder, DeafBlind Social Group of Kansas City; former HKNC student
 
Bryen M Yunashko
Read his statement in the appendix below
 
Melissa A. Zagarella 
Certification in ceramics, Cecil College
 
Kathryn Zarate
Former HKNC employee; current vice president, Florida DeafBlind Association
 
Caterina Zorrilla
Artist; former HKNC student
 
Appendix
 
Bryen M Yunashko’s Statement
 
August 1, 2024
 
Hello, my name is Bryen M Yunashko, and I am a DeafBlind business owner. I have also worked in various roles with the Helen Keller National Center, having done some technology training work and also briefly serving as a policy representative for governmental affairs. In 2014, I was invited to join the Helen Keller National Center Executive Director Search Committee. I was one of two DeafBlind members of the committee, which also included members of HKNC's parent organization, Helen Keller Services; board members, and the CEO of HKS himself.
 
I was part of the committee during its last half of its functions. So, I have limited knowledge of any discussions before my arrival. But by the time I arrived, a plan was forming. I considered it a great hope for all DeafBlind. That hope is once again dashed.
 
In those final meetings, it was decided to create a new position for Chris Woodfill, a talented DeafBlind candidate for the top position. The CEO himself expressed deep fondness for Chris and wanted to see him in the position but was concerned that Chris did not have enough financial management experience.
 
I personally approached Chris to find out how he really felt about this idea, since he apparently already knew of the plan as well. It was clear he wanted the job, but he accepted that he needed more financial experience. I did not press him any further to determine if this was his own words or not, but it was clear he was aware of the path and was willing to take this path.
 
It was during this search that the community held out hope that this time we would finally witness a DeafBlind leader at HKNC. And in my personal opinion, Chris was ready for the job, but I also respected the reservations being expressed and felt that Chris deserves to have a "learning period" before taking over the Center.
 
On the final day of interviews, Sue Ruzenski proved to be a well-prepared interviewee who presented very well. We agreed this would be the great union that not only achieves our goal of eventually having a DeafBlind executive director, but ensuring he would have the tools needed to keep the Center strong.
 
There was a previous conversation that stuck in my mind that day. Sue expressed privately that she wanted the job but understood that now was the time for a DeafBlind to take over. The tide was changing and like everywhere else in America, glass ceilings were being broken everywhere.
 
But she did get the job, with my endorsement of the plan that Chris would eventually fill the position when it became vacant again. And although I had not been keeping tabs on HKNC activities in recent years, the several times I stopped by and had a conversation, I was always told that Chris was absolutely ready for the job. So I had no reason to question it.
 
It is now 2024. HKNC has signed on yet another non-DeafBlind to be executive director of HKNC, this being the third hire since 2014. It is clear that the promise has been broken and a betrayal exists. This, I do not understand. 
 
We were very clear during our final deliberations that we wanted this and we wanted to send a clear message of accountability to the community about why we chose this path.
 
To Sue, I regret that it has come to this, because I do believe that, deep down, you do wish good things. But it cannot be ignored that you were a direct beneficiary of this plan. When you were promoted to become CEO of HKS, you did not follow through with the plan. For this I am deeply puzzled.
 
And to the newly apppointed Executive Director, please be aware that your hiring was contingent on breaking a decade-old promise made to the very community you signed on to serve.
 
It is time for change. It is time for priorities to be determined by DeafBlind. It is time that we are the ones who should determine our destiny.
 
HKNC gets a significant amount of funding from the Federal Government via vocational rehabilitation funding. What is the point if that funding is used to tell DeafBlind that we can never lead ourselves? It is time for a change!
 
Sincerely,
Bryen M Yunashko
 



Aimee Chappelow
Aimee14512 at gmail.com for emailing lists email groups only.





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