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Published by magazine, 2015-07-31 23:21:56

draft#5

draft#5

History.
 
 

 

When
 I
 was
 given
 the
 position
 of
 Director
 of
 Marketing,
 I
 certainly
 had
 no
 idea
 what
 to
 expect
 in
 my
 new
 

role.
 My
 first
 project
 was
 to
 help
 design
 a
 logo
 as
 we
 were
 in
 the
 process
 of
 renaming
 our
 organization.
 This
 
vital
 task
 required
 much
 brainstorming
 from
 our
 board
 members
 because
 we
 wanted
 to
 incorporate
 the
 

rich
 history
 of
 Latin
 America.
 During
 the
 process,
 I
 became
 reacquainted
 with
 the
 people,
 the
 culture,
 the
 

language,
 and
 especially
 the
 history
 of
 our
 Indigenous
 land.
 
 

 

Then
 it
 was
 time
 for
 me
 to
 undertake
 the
 next
 project….an
 online
 magazine.
 With
 the
 consensus
 of
 the
 
board,
 the
 online
 magazine
 was
 created
 as
 a
 vehicle
 to
 reach
 out
 to
 our
 community
 members
 and
 

strengthen
 our
 allies.
 The
 Board
 of
 Directors
 agreed
 our
 inaugural
 edition
 should
 pay
 tribute
 to
 our
 

founding
 and
 past
 board
 members
 as
 they
 paved
 the
 way
 for
 Council
 de
 Manos.
 
 

 

Our
 tag
 line
 is,
 “Know
 Your
 Story.”
 In
 this
 issue,
 the
 narratives
 of
 past
 Council
 de
 Manos
 board
 members
 is
 
celebrated
 as
 they
 share
 their
 experiences
 being
 in
 the
 organization
 as
 well
 as
 their
 cultural
 identity.
 The
 

task
 of
 contacting
 past
 board
 members
 to
 get
 their
 stories
 gave
 me
 newfound
 appreciation
 for
 our
 

organizational
 history.
 Without
 documenting
 our
 stories,
 our
 cherished
 history
 will
 be
 left
 
unacknowledged.
 
 


 

It
 is
 my
 hope
 that
 our
 readers
 will
 learn
 about
 the
 history
 of
 our
 people
 and
 the
 journey
 they
 travelled
 to
 
get
 to
 where
 we
 are
 today.
 Hope
 that
 we
 can
 empower
 ourselves
 as
 we
 work
 together
 through
 Council
 de
 

Manos.
 

 

Carlos
 Aponte,
 Jr.
 
  2
Editor-­‐In-­‐Chief
 

Original documents

21

Robert Davila Robert Davila
Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 1991-­‐1994
Founding
 Board
 Member

Question
 1:
 Why
 did
 you
 become
 involved
 with
 the
  It
  was
  not
  until
  President
  George
  H.
  W.
  Bush
  appointed
  me
 
organization?
  Assistant
  Secretary
  for
  Special
  Education
  and
  Rehabilitative
 

  Services
  in
  1988
  that
  I
  finally
  had
  an
  opportunity
  to
  assist
 
Throughout
  my
  life,
  from
  the
  time
  I
  entered
  the
  directly
 with
 the
 idea
 of
 establishing
 
 a
 national
 organization
 
California
  School
  for
  the
  Deaf
  at
  Berkeley
  and
  my
  for
 deaf
 and
 hard
 of
 hearing
 Hispanics.
 We
 had
 a
 great
 group
 
subsequent
 years
 as
 a
 student
 at
 Gallaudet
 College
 and
  of
  committed
  volunteers
  meeting
  and
  working
 
continuing
  well
  into
  my
  professional
  career,
  I
  was
  collaboratively,
  such
  as
  Angel
  Ramos,
  John
  Lopez,
  Cecilia
 
either
 the
 only
  Hispanic
 involved
 or
 one
  of
 a
 very
 few
  Madan,
  Tim
  Medina,
  Ralph
  Sedano,
  Ramon
  Rodriguez
  and
 
Hispanics
  involved.
  I
  entered
  the
  California
  School
  for
  Gilbert
  Delgado,
  and
  others,
  to
  work
  on
  the
  idea
  throughout
 
the
 Deaf
 at
 age
 10
 and
 without
 testing
 or
 assessment
 of
  the
 early
 1990’s.
 During
 this
 time,
 the
 African
 American
 deaf
 
my
  academic
  ability,
  I
  was
  placed
  in
  a
  class
  of
  all
  community
  was
  already
  deeply
  involved
  in
  its
  efforts
  to
 
Hispanics
  who
  were
  on
  the
  vocational
  track
  and
  were
  strengthen
  and
  expand
  its
  National
  Black
  Deaf
  Advocates
 
much
 older
 than
 me.
 
 In
 those
 years
 residential
 schools
  organization.
 
for
  the
  deaf
  had
  a
  two-­‐track
  system,
  a
  vocational
  track
 
 
for
  those
  who
  were
  expected
  to
  enter
 
 the
  job
  market
  In
  1990,
  my
  office
  awarded
  50
  thousand
  dollar
  grants
  to
 
upon
  graduation
  and
  an
  academic
  track
  for
  those
  with
  sponsoring
  agencies
  in
  San
  Antonio
 
 and
  Atlanta
  to
  hold
 
capable
  academic
  ability
  who
  were
  given
  a
  chance
  to
  national
  conferences
  to
  address
  the
  issues
  facing
  Hispanic
 
compete
 for
 admission
 to
 Gallaudet
  College
 (Gallaudet
  deaf
 and
 hard
 of
 hearing
 persons
 and
 their
 African
 American
 
did
 not
 become
 a
 university
 until
 about
 35
 years
 later).
  counterparts.
  It
  was
  a
  matter
  of
  great
  pride
  that
  I
  was
  the
 
Gallaudet
  was
 a
 very
  small
 college
 with
 an
  enrollment
  keynote
  speaker
  at
  both
  conferences.
  The
  historic
  event
  in
 
of
 200-­‐225
 and
 all
 students
 applying
 for
 admission
 had
  San
  Antonio
  paved
  the
  way
  for
  the
  establishment
  of
  the
 
to
 pass
  an
 examination.
  I
 became
  the
  first
 Hispanic,
 in
  NHCDHH.
  The
  progress
  that
  so
  many
  dedicated
  and
  active
 
fact,
 the
 first
 minority
 student,
 to
 qualify
 for
 admission
  volunteers
  have
  worked
  to
  create
  in
  the
  ensuing
  years
  has
 
to
 Gallaudet.
  The
  college
  was
  approaching
 90
  years
 of
  been
  great
  testimony
  to
  their
  commitment
  for
  such
  an
 
service
  when
  I
  was
  admitted.
 
 The
  first
  African-­‐ organization.
 
 
American
  student
 
 at
  Gallaudet
  followed
  me
  by
  two
 
 
years.
 
 By
  the
  time
  I
  was
  a
  senior
  there
  were
  four
  Question
  2:
  How
  would
  you
  describe
  the
  goals
  of
  the
 
Hispanics,
  myself,
  Ramon
  Rodriguez,
  Arturo
  Montoya
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  organization
  achieve
 
and
 Dolores
 Ramirez.
 And
 by
 that
 time
 also,
 there
 were
  these
 goals?
 
five
 African-­‐Americans.
 Today,
 there
 are
 146
 Hispanics
 
 
and
  117
  African
  Americans
 
 among
  Gallaudet’s
  The
 goals
 of
 the
 organization
 have
 largely
 centered
 on
 giving
 
undergraduate
 enrollment
 of
 1,053.
  the
  Hispanic
  deaf
  community
  a
  voice
  and
  role
  at
  the
 

  conference
  table
  when
  all
  representative
  factions
  of
  the
  deaf
 
During
  the
  1940’s,
  1950’s
  and
  well
  into
  the
  1960’s,
  community
  convene.
  In
  the
  past
  many
  such
  conferences
  and
 
deaf
  Hispanics
  were
  conspicuous
  by
  their
  absence
  at
  meetings
  have
  taken
  place
  without
  the
  views
  and
  needs
  of
 
most
  events
  and
  programs
  serving
  deaf
  and
  hard
  of
  Hispanic
  deaf
  persons
  being
  considered
  or
  included.
  It
  is
 
hearing
 persons.
 The
 very
 few
 of
 us
 who
 were
 involved
  vital
  that
  the
  organization
  continue
  to
  function
  and
  remain
 
had
  to
  speak
  and
  act
  for
  ourselves
  because
  there
  were
  visible.
  Past
  Presidents,
  such
  as
  John
  Lopez
  and
  Ivy
  Velez,
 
no
  organizations
  devoted
  to
  opening
  doors
  to
  were
  visible
  as
  representatives
  of
  the
  Hispanic
  deaf
 
opportunities
 for
 Hispanics.
 
  community.
 The
 agenda
 and
 goals
 of
 the
 NHCDHH
 need
 to
 be
 
shared
 and
 advocated
 among
 all
 factions
 of
 the
 national
 deaf
 
community.
 
 

 
Who
  speaks
  for
  the
  NHCDHH?
  Obviously,
  the
  elected
 
members
  of
  the
  officer
  brigade
  and
  the
  board
  of
  directors
 
have
 the
 authority
 to
 determine
 how
 an
 issue
 or
 need
 will
 to
 
be
  addressed
  and
  who
  will
  have
  a
  role
  in
  responding
  or
 
advocating,
  etc.
  But,
  in
  order
  to
  be
  effective
  as
  the
  leading
 
advocate
  organization,
  the
  NHCDHH
  has
  to
  work
  hard
  to
 
establish
  the
  membership
  base
  necessary
  to
  assume
  and
 
carry
 out
 its
 speak-­‐with-­‐one-­‐voice
 advocacy
 role.
 This
 will
 be
 
the
  biggest
  issue
  the
  officers
  and
  board
  will
  have
  to
  resolve.
 
How
  can
  the
  organization
  earn
  the
  right
  to
  represent
  all
 
Hispanics?
 

 

Continued…

43

Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
  funds
  to
  pay
  for
  travel,
  materials
  and
  mailings.
  We
  had
  to
  chip
  Robert Davila
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?
  in
  to
  make
  good.
 
 I
  awarded
  a
  computer
  with
  printer
  to
  the
 

  organization
  after
  our
  2006
  re-­‐organization
  meeting
  in
  Santa
 
Assuming
  an
  appointed
  or
  elected
  role
  as
  an
  officer
  or
  Fe
  because
  the
  organization
  could
  not
  use
  NMSD
  resources.
 
board
  member
  is
  a
  tremendous
  and
  serious
  That’s
 pretty
 much
 what
 some
 officers
 had
 to
 do
 over
 the
 years
 
responsibility.
  Although
  attending
  meetings
  provide
  to
 keep
 things
 going
 well.
 
visibility,
  much
  work
  and
  detail
  takes
  place
  between
 
 
meetings.
 
 An
  ideal
  volunteer
  is
  a
  person
  with
  a
  strong
  Question
 5:
 
 What
 are
 some
 things
 that
 make
 your
 heritage
 
commitment
  to
  the
  goals
  and
  purpose
  of
  the
  special?
 
organization.
  Officers
  and
  board
  members
  do
  not
  speak
 
 
for
  themselves.
  They
  speak
  for
  the
  organization.
  As
  an
  I
  was
  fortunate
 to
  be
  in
  the
  founders’
  group
  and
  to
  be
  able
  to
 
officer
  or
  board
  member,
  you
  have
  to
  have
  good
  people
  make
  a
  number
  of
  direct
  contributions
  to
  getting
  the
 
skills,
 be
 a
 good
 listener
 and
 be
 patient
 and
 forthright.
  organization
  off
  the
  ground.
 
 It
 took
  hard
  work.
  It
 was
 not
 the
 

  work
  of
  one
  person,
  but
  the
  concerted
  effort
  of
  a
  group
  with
 
Question
  4:
  What’s
  the
  hardest
  thing
  you’ve
  ever
  members
 who
 supported
 each
 other
 and
 worked
 well
 together.
 
done
 for
 our
 organization?
  No
  organization
  can
  succeed
  without
  everyone
  pulling
  the
 

  same
  oars.
  I
  have
  aged
  and
  am
  retired
  now
  so
  I
  have
  less
 
I
  think
  the
  hardest
  thing
  I
  had
  to
  do
  was
  energy
 and
 passion
 than
 I
 used
 to
 have.
 But,
 I
 think
 getting
 our
 
getting
 
 authority
  and
  support
  from
  the
  Secretary
  of
  organization
 off
 the
 ground
 and
 deaf
 Hispanics
 recognized
 and
 
Education
 to
 fund
 the
 San
 Antonio
 and
 Atlanta
 meetings
  successful
 is
 a
 goal
 that
 would
 fulfill
 anyone’s
 desire
 for
 good.
 
in
 1992.
 At
 the
 federal
 level,
 everyone
 watches
 what
 you
 
 
do
  and
  when
  others
  see
  something
  they
  like,
  they
  want
  Additional
 Information:
 
 
some
  of
  the
  same.
  I
  got
  a
  number
  of
  requests
  to
  fund
 
 
organizations
  or
  conferences
  throughout
  the
  disability
  Roberto
  R.
  Davila
  was
  born
  to
  a
  Spanish-­‐speaking
  migrant
 
field
  and
  in
  deafness,
  too.
  Everyone
  wanted
  a
  grant.
  It
  family
 of
 ten
 who
 traveled
 north
 and
 south
 harvesting
 fruit
 and
 
was
  a
  hard
  decision
  to
  make,
  but
  one
  which
  I
  knew
  vegetable
 crops
 in
 California.
 At
 age
 10,
 he
 lost
 his
 hearing
 and
 
would
 open
 the
 future
 for
 all
 of
 us.
  began
  his
  formal
  education
  at
  the
  California
  School
  for
  the
 

  Deaf
 
 at
 Berkeley.
 He
 was
 the
 first
 minority
 student
 to
 enroll
 at
 
Working
 and
 supporting
 NHCDHH
 events
  and
 activities
  Gallaudet
  two
  years
  before
  the
  first
  African-­‐American.
  He
 
during
  the
  early
  years
  after
  our
  organization
  had
  been
  became
  a
  good
  student
  and
  in
  later
  years
  earned
  a
  Master's
 
operating
  for
  a
  while
  was
  hard
  work.
  There
  were
  no
  degree
  in
  Special
  Education
  from
  Hunter
  College
  in
  NYC
  and
  a
 
Ph.D.
 in
 Educational
 Technology
 from
 Syracuse
 University.
 This
 
was
 at
 a
 time
 when
 interpreters
 and
 support
 services
 were
 not
 
available.
  He
  worked
  hard
  to
  achieve
  historic
  success
  as
  an
 
educator.
  He
  was
  the
  first
  deaf
  person
  to
  serve
  as
  president
  of
 
the
  top
  three
  national
  organizations
  for
  teachers
  and
 
administrators
  working
  with
  the
  deaf,
  the
  Convention
  of
 
American
  Instructors
  of
  the
  Deaf,
  the
  Conference
  of
 
Educational
  Administrators
  Serving
  the
  Deaf
  and
  the
  Council
 
on
  Education
  of
  the
  Deaf.
  He
  was
  also
  the
  first
  deaf
  person
  to
 
become
 head
 of
 the
 National
 Technical
 Institute
 for
 the
 Deaf
 at
 
the
  Rochester
  Institute
  of
  Technology
  and
  was
  the
  ninth
 
president
  of
  Gallaudet
  University.
  He
  was
  additionally
  the
 
highest
  level
  deaf
  employee
  to
  ever
  work
  in
  the
  U.S.
 
government
  when
  he
  served
  in
  the
  highest
  level
  of
  the
  Senior
 
Executive
 Service.
 Dr.
 Davila
 has
 traveled
 throughout
 the
 world
 
and
  has
  keynoted
  a
  number
  of
  national
  and
  international
 
conferences,
  including
  the
  World
  Federation
  of
  the
  Deaf,
 
National
  Association
  of
  the
  Deaf
  and
  the
 national
  associations
 
of
  the
  deaf
  of
  a
  number
  of
  countries.
  He
  has
  been
  the
  recipient
 
of
  numerous
  awards,
  including
  four
  honorary
  degrees
  from
 
colleges
 and
 universities.
 
Dr.
  Davila
  is
  a
  strong
  believer
  and
  supporter
  of
  the
 
Latino/Hispanic
 community
 of
 deaf
 persons
 in
 the
 U.S.
 and
 has
 
always
  endeavored
  to
  assist
  and
  support
  their
  well
  being
  and
 
progress
  in
  achieving
  all
  that
  is
  promised
  by
  our
  nation's
 
constitution.
 

 

 

21

Lele Dominguez-Ruiz Lele Dominguez-Ruiz
Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 2005-­‐2010
Position
 Held:
 Board
 Member

Question
 2:
 How
 would
 you
 describe
 the
 goals
 of
 
the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  organization
 
achieve
 these
 goals?

At
  the
  time
  I
  was
  involved,
 NCHDHH
  was
  very
  new
 
to
  the
  nation.
  We
  focused
  our
  time
  creating
  our
 
bylaws
  and
  completing
  many
  projects.
  I
  cannot
 
remember
  many
  projects
  that
  we
  completed
  back
 
then
  but
  it
  clearly
  shows
  that
  this
  organization
  is
 
still
 carrying
 on
 presently,
 which
 is
 great
 news.
 
 

Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?

Commitment,
  focus
  and
  teamwork-­‐
  these
  are
 
important
  to
  succeed.
  To
  be
  a
  good
  leader
  and
  role
 
model
 for
 the
 next
 generation.
 
 

Question
  1:
  Why
  did
  you
  become
  involved
  Question
 4:
 What's
 the
 hardest
 thing
 you've
 ever
 
with
 the
 organization?
  done
 for
 our
 organization?
 

I
 was
 asked
 to
 join
 this
 organization-­‐
 NCHDHH.
  We
  were
  working
  very
  hard
  to
  make
  this
 
In
  the
  past
  I
  was
 involved
  with
  California
  organization
  successful
  by
  training
  young
  leaders,
 
Latino
 Council
 for
 the
 DHH
 (CLC)
 for
 few
 years.
  encouraged
  more
  local
  chapters
  to
  become
 
Then
  I
  moved
  out
  of
 state,
  to
  pursue
  my
  affiliated,
  and
  to
  revised
  some
  bylaws
  and
  many
 
graduate
  degree.
  After
  I
  completed
  my
  master
  more.
  It
  was
  challenging
  experience
  for
  me
  while
 
degree,
 I
  joined
  National
  Deaf
  Latino
  serving
 on
 the
 board.
 
 
Conference
  (NDLC),
  which
  was
  not
  an
 
 
organization
  or
  agency
  but
  its
  mission
  is
  to
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  make
 
host
 conferences
  for
  our
  Deaf
  Latino
  your
 heritage
 special?
communities.
  After
  NCHDHH
  was
  established,
 
 
then
 I
  was
  invited
  to
  be
  on
  the
  board
  for
  about
  I
  was
  raised
  with
  8
  sisters
  and
  3
  brothers,
  I
  have
  a
 
four
 years.
  big
  family.
  I
  am
  10th
  child
  and
  fourth
  Deaf
  in
  the
 
family
  (just
  4
  of
  us).
 
 I
  grew
  up
 believing
 to
  bring
 
LOVE
  to
  our
  table,
  not
  money.
  I've
  learned
  so
  much
 
from
  my
  big
  family
  and
  they
  taught
  me
  to
  be
  who
  I
 
am
 today.
 So
 family
 values
 is
 more
 important
 to
 me,
 
I
  am
  proud
  to
  be
  Latina
  just
  because
  of
  my
  family,
  I
 
love
 them!
 

 

12

Lorraine Flores Lorranie Flores

Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 1991-­‐1994
Founding
 Board
 Member

news for national level of the organization is
that membership numbers are increasing
again which led to having more conferences
during the 2000s.

Question 3: What do you think are the
characteristics of a great board member?

I believe all board members should have a
strong background in Social Justice. A great
board member would be involved in Social
Justice issues and would have the
characteristics of confidence, integrity,
courage and motivation. All board members
should exhibit a commitment to professional
and ethical behavior at all times. There
should be zero tolerance for unethical
behavior among the board members.

Question 1: Why did you become involved Question 4: What's the hardest thing
with the organization? you've ever done for our organization?

This was an easy question! In the 1990s there Back in 1994, the hardest thing I’ve ever
was no formal organization for our group. During done was to make the time to meet four
that time it was critical that we establish an times a year for our board meetings which
organization for our people. The number of were held at various locations. Oftentimes I
Hispanic people (remember, this is the word that had to use my personal money to pay for
we used to describe ourselves in this time frame) travel and hotel expenses!
was growing to the point that we were being
recognized as a rather impressive and important The second hardest thing that I have had to
minority group. There was a great need to get do was to recruit people to join NHC as a
ourselves organized in order to face the multiple member. Many people resisted the idea for
challenges that were in front of us. I took on the a number of different reasons. I wish I had
role of secretary for the organization and soon some information as to why people resisted
the National Hispanic Council (NHC) for the Deaf becoming members of NHC. One way to
and Hard of Hearing was born! determine this would be to create a survey
that would focus on asking people what it is
Question 2: How would you describe the that they would like to see NHC focus on.
This survey should be written in Spanish
goals of the organization, and how did the and English, along with video presentations
organization achieve these goals? in ASL and LMS.

When we began, our goals were rather vague. I The third hardest thing I did as Secretary
involved saving all of the organization's files
recall that one of our goals was to host a on a hark diskette - which has since become
obsolete! These days, the organization and
successful conference in San Antonio in 1994. it's members have access to modern
technology, such as being able to save files
This was our first attempt at hosting a on Google drive, or using video phones for
teleconferences in an effort to save on travel
conference and we set up several workshops for expenses. The only records that have
survives in tact from the 1990s were our
this 3-4 day event. The main topic we focused on group photos!

was trying to establish leadership training for our

youth. The conference was a huge hit! The

number of people in attendance was

approximately 400! The next following

conference was held in Boston and the

registration was approximately 300!

Unfortunately, the conferences stopped after we

met in Boston. I am please to hear that the latest

12

Carla García-Fernández Carla García-Fernández

Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 2005-­‐2007
Position(s)
 held:
 Board
 Member
 


  Question
 2:
 How
 would
 you
 describe
 the
 goals
 
of
  the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
 
organization
 achieve
 these
 goals?

In
  2005,
  we,
  the
  NCHDHH
  board
  of
  directors,
 
proposed
  a
  list
  of
  priorities
  to
  achieve
  as
  an
 
organization.
  We
  came
  up
  with
  these
  top
  four
 
priorities:
  1)
  public
  relations:
  press
  releases,
 
newspaper
  articles,
  website
  links,
  publishing
  a
 
story
  about
  our
  leadership
  retreat,
  developing
  an
 
organization
  newsletter,
  creating
  a
  new
  website,
 
publishing
  a
  PEPNET
  catalog;
  2)
  expansion
  of
 
membership:
  developing
  a
  database
  of
  all
  Deaf
 
and
  hard
  of
  hearing
  Hispano
  members,
  a
  new
 
state
  chapter
  affiliation,
  pursuing
  an
  affiliation
 
with
  Mano
  a
  Mano
  and
  other
  organizations,
 
increasing
  parental
  involvement,
  and
  involving
 
residential
  schools;
  3)
  establishing
  the
  NHCDHH
 
archives,
  and
  4)
  expanding
  NCHDHH’s
  role
  as
  a
 
conduit
  for
  information
  and
  referral:
  developing
 
categories
  of
  employment
  for
  members
  of
  the
 
network
  (mental
  health,
  education,
  interpreter,
 
etc.).
  The
  other
  priorities
  were
  to
  create
  a
 
scholarship
  for
  high
  school
  Deaf
  Hispano
 
students,
  conduct
  a
  Hispano
  leadership
  retreat
 
every
  or
  two
  years,
  and
  establish
  a
  Hispano
 
leadership
 camp
 for
 Deaf
 Hispano
 youth.

As
  a
  board
  of
  director
  in
  2005,
  some
  goals
  were
 
accomplished:

Question
 1:
 Why
 did
 you
 become
 involved
 with
  • Public
  relations-­‐
  The
  NCHDHH
  came
  up
 
the
 organization?
  with
  a
  press
  release,
  implemented
  a
  new
 
organization
  website,
  and
  presented
 
As
  a
  Multicultural
  Specialist
  at
  the
  New
  Mexico
  information
  about
  the
  organization
  at
  the
 
School
 for
 the
 Deaf
 (NMSD),
 I
 oversaw,
 sponsored,
  National
  Association
  of
  the
  Deaf
 
and
  promoted
  self-­‐advocacy
  and
  empowerment
  conference
 in
 Palm
 Springs,
 CA.
 
 
for
  two
  clubs:
  the
  Hispanic
  Club,
  and
  the
  Strong
 
Silent
  Council
  (Native
  American).
  As
  a
  believer
  in
  • Expansion
 of
 membership-­‐
 A
 database
  of
 
community
  work,
  I
  was
  eager
  when
  there
  was
  a
  all
 Deaf
 and
 hard
 of
 hearing
 Hispano
 Deaf
 
discussion
  about
  the
  possibility
  of
  re-­‐establishing
  members
 was
 compiled.
 
the
  national
  Latinx-­‐Deaf
  organization.
  As
  a
 
superintendent
  during
  that
  time,
  Ronald
  Stern
  • Establish
 NCHDHH
 archives-­‐
 As
 the
 home
 
approved
  Gilbert
  Delgado’s
  request
  to
  use
  a
  small
  office
  was
  created,
  we
  gathered
  and
 
room
  as
  a
  new
  home
  office
  for
  the
  national
  stored
  hard
  copy
  files
  from
  former
  board
 
organization.
  I
  encouraged
  the
  student
  members
  members.
 
of
  the
  Hispanic
  Club
  to
  come
  up
  with
  ideas
  for
 
renovating
  our
  office.
  Student
  members
  invested
  I
  was
  assigned
  to
  explore
  scholarships
  and
  create
 
many
 hours
 painting
 and
 decorating
 the
 new
 office
  a
 list
 of
 websites
 to
 access
 scholarships.
 I
 was
 also
 
and
 it
 turned
 out
 beautifully.
 When
 I
 was
 offered
 a
  asked
  to
  compile
  a
  list
  of
  known
  Hispano-­‐Deaf
 
position
  as
  a
  board
  member
  of
  the
  organization,
  I
  individuals
  across
  the
  nation,
  and
  recruited
  ten
 
jumped
  on
  that
  opportunity
  since
  I
  wanted
  to
  individuals
 to
 attend
 the
 Hispano-­‐Deaf
 Leadership
 
learn
  more
  about
  my
  Deaf-­‐Latinx
  identity
  -­‐
  retreat
  in
  Albuquerque,
  New
  Mexico
  before
  the
 
learning
 I
 missed
 out
 on
 during
 my
 childhood. National
  Deaf
  Latino
  Conference.
  Of
  the
  ten
 
selected,
  six
  were
  from
  the
  state
  of
  New
  Mexico:
 

 
 
 
 
 
Continued…

43

Juan
  Diego
  Gonzales,
  Sonia
  Garcia,
  Delia
  Lozano,
  Raul
  Question
  4:
  What's
  the
  hardest
  thing
  Carla García-Fernández
Lozano,
  and
  myself;
  and
  five
  were
  from
  other
  states:
  you've
 ever
 done
 for
 our
 organization?
Leticia
  Arellano
  (DC),
  Elvia
  Guillermo
  (DC),
  Rogelio
 
Fernández
  Jr.
  (TX),
  Franklin
  Torres
  (DC),
  Marta
  Ordaz
  I
  have
  tried
  to
  support
  the
  board
  members
 
(CA),
  and
  Ivelisse
  Velez
  (CT).
  The
  retreat
  was
  a
  huge
  ever
  since
  the
  re-­‐establishment
  of
  the
 
success!
  We
  discussed
  both
  our
  individual
  and
  group
  organization
  in
  2005.
  I
  have
  watched
  the
 
goals.
 As
 a
  group
 goal,
 we
 came
 up
 with
  a
 video
 where
  NCHDHH
  blossom
  through
  both
  pain
  and
  joy.
 
we
  introduced
  ourselves
  and
  discussed
  our
  heritage.
  The
  conference
  topic
  also
  expanded
  and
 
The
 video
 was
 shown
 at
 our
 booth
 at
 the
 conferences. diversified
  over
  the
  years
  where
  Deaf-­‐Latinx
 
members
  can
  find
  topics
  that
  specifically
 
After
  the
  retreat,
  we
  attempted
  to
  accomplish
  our
  interest
 them,
 which
 is
 very
 exciting.
 
individual
 goals.
 One
 of
 the
 participants,
 Franklin
 Torres
 
established
  a
  chapter-­‐
  Latino
  Deaf
  and
  Hard
  of
  Hearing
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
 
organization
  in
  the
  Metro
  DC
  area
  which
  continues
  to
  make
 your
 heritage
 special?
stand
  today!
  This
  chapter,
  and
  the
  NCHDHH,
  hosted
  a
 
conference
  in
  Washington
  DC
  for
  the
  new,
  revived
  Tracing
 my
 roots
 has
 been
 such
 an
 emotional
 
organization
  which
  attracted
  over
  300
  participants,
  and
  journey!
 However,
 it
 helps
  me
 know
 where
  I
 
was
 a
 huge
 hit.
  come
  from,
  and
  therefore
  enables
  me
  to
 
understand
  more
  about
  myself.
  My
  heritage
 
Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
  makes
 me
 who
 I
 am
 today!
 Therefore,
 I
 thank
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member? all
  my
  ancestors
  and
  all
  the
  many
  activists,
 
named
  and
  un-­‐named,
  for
  sacrificing
  their
 
A
 board
 member
 who
 is
 committed
 to
 recognize
 her/his
  lives
 for
 me.
dominant
  privileges
  and
  biases
  is
  an
  individual
  who
 
possesses
  characteristics
  that
  will
  make
  an
  outstanding
 
board
 member.
 This
 capability
 enables
 a
 board
 member
 
to
 recognize
 and
 validate
 multiple
 issues
 in
 terms
 of
 not
 
just
  Deaf
  identity,
  but
  multiple
  intersectional
  identities
 
of
  Deaf-­‐Latinx
  members.
  Once
  all
  board
  members
  are
 
committed
 to
 monitor
 their
  position(s)
  at
 all
  the
 times,
 
then
  they
  are
  prepared
  to
  work
  with
  Deaf-­‐Latinx
  from
 
different
  backgrounds,
  regardless
  of
  deaf
  status,
  class,
 
gender,
  disability,
  ethnicity,
  language,
  national
  origin,
 
race,
 religion,
 sexual
 orientation,
 or
 any
 of
 a
 multitude
 of
 
identities.
  With
  a
  safe
  space
  for
  all
  Deaf-­‐Latinx
 
individuals
  with
  multiple
  intersecting
  identities,
  board
 
members
  will
  be
  able
  to
  make
  a
  greater
  contribution
  to
 
social
  justice
  work.
  The
  terminology,
  “social
  justice,”
  is
 
often
  as
  associated
  with
  violence,
  trouble-­‐makers,
 
radicals,
  or
  many
  types
  of
  negative
  labels.
  But,
  on
  a
 
much
  broader
  scale,
  social
  justice
  addresses
  social
 
problems
  to
  raise
  the
  consciousness
  of
  Deaf-­‐Latinx
 
individuals,
  and
  gives
  them
  an
  appropriate
  channel
  for
 
real
  change
  in
  multiple
  areas
  of
  oppression,
  in
  both
 
hearing
 and
 Deaf
 communities.
 

12

Cecilia Madan Cecilia Madan

Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 1991-­‐1994
Position(s)
 held:
 Founding
 Board
 Member,
 
 
Secretary
 (2
 terms),
 Vice
 President
 (1
 term)
 

Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?

Being
  a
  visionary!
  Courage
  to
  embrace
  diversity
 
within
  the
  group
  but
  also
  outside!
 
 Embracing
 
challenges
  and
  defeating
  apathy.
 
 And
  most
 
importantly
  always
  recruiting!
  Not
  sure
  about
  the
 
hardest,
  but
  it
  was
  the
  most
  constant
  challenge
  of
 
bearing
  the
  burden
  of
  always
  having
  the
 
responsibility
  to
  teach
  and
  breaking
  down
 
stereotypes
 and
 apathy.
 Always
 advocating
 24/7.
 

 
Question
 4:
 What's
 the
 hardest
 thing
 you've
 ever
 
done
 for
 our
 organization?
 

Question
  1:
  Why
  did
  you
  become
  involved
  Not
  sure
  about
  the
  hardest,
  but
  it
  was
  the
  most
 
with
 the
 organization?
  constant
  challenge
  of
  bearing
  the
  burden
  of
  always
 
having
  the
  responsibility
  to
  teach
  and
  breaking
 
I
  became
  involved
  because
  I
  felt
  very
  strongly
  down
  stereotypes
  and
  apathy.
  Always
  advocating
 
that
  the
  Hispanic
  community
  needed
  to
  be
  24/7.
heard,
  seen
  and
  increase
  our
  presence
  with
  a
 
 
voice
  that
  was
  unique
  within
  each
  of
  our
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  make
 
Spanish
  culture.
  Whether
  it
  was
  a
  Cuban,
  your
 heritage
 special?
Mexican,
  Argentina,
  Puerto
  Rico
  etc.
 
 
nationality.
 
 So
  much
  work
  needed
  to
  be
  done!
  I
  love
  my
  home
  country,
  as
  a
  6th
  generation
  Cuban,
 
We
  recognized
  that
  the
  Spanish
  population
  who
  became
 an
  American-­‐-­‐my
 heritage
 serves
  as
  a
 
would
 explode
 and
 we
 wanted
 to
 be
 ready! reminder
  to
  always
  value
  my
  freedom
  and
  be
 
grateful
 for
 it.
 
 This
 is
 the
 home
 of
 wonderful
 music,
 
Question
  2:
  How
  would
  you
  describe
  the
  dances
  that
  can
  shakes
  our
  hips,
  and
  fantastic
 
goals
  of
  the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  mojitos
  which
  would
  be
  lost
  without
  the
  infamous
 
organization
 achieve
 these
 goals? cigars!
  Oh!
  Espresso!!
 
 I
  long
  for
  the
  freedom
  as
  we
 
remain
 in
 exile
 to
 go
 back
 home
 and
 kiss
 the
 ground
 
that
 my
 family
 walked
 on.
 
 Spanish
 is
 still
 spoken
 at
 
home
  although
  I
  must
  admit
  looking
  more
  like
 
"Spanglish".


 

Our
 goals
 as
 being
 one
 of
 the
 founding
 members,
 
was
  community
  outreach,
  education,
  and
 
advocacy.
 
 We
  achieved
  many
  aspects
  of
  this
  by
 
linking
 up
 with
 other
 Hispanic
 groups
 within
 the
 
community
  across
  the
  country.
 
 This
  was
  all
  in
 
attempt
  to
  gain
  a
  foothold
  our
  presence.
 
 A
 
tremendous
  challenge!
  John
  Lopez
  was
  a
 
consummate
  politician
  and
  understood
  the
 
power
 behind
 advocacy
 groups,
 such
 as
 La
 Raza,
 
Hispanics
  in
  Higher
  education,
  Hispanic
  parents
 
who
  lacked
  the
  English
  skills
  also
  lacked
  ASL
 
within
  the
  education
  mainstream.
 
 It
  was
  all
 
about
  building
  bridges
  and
  once
  made
  was
  to
 
keep
 it
 open,
 through
 trainings
 and
 outreaches-­‐-­‐
many
 of
 them!!
 

12

Angel Ramos Angel Ramos

Years Involved with NCHDHH: 1991-1994
Position held: Founding Board Member

Question
  1:
  Why
  did
  you
  become
  Question
  2:
  How
  would
  you
  describe
  the
 
involved
 with
 the
 organization?
  goals
  of
  the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
 
organization
 achieve
 these
 goals?
The
  seeds
  of
  the
  NHC
  started
  at
  Gallaudet
 
University
  when
  I
  was
  studying
  for
  my
  NHCDHH
  was
  officially
  formed
  at
  the
 Hispanic
 
doctorate
  degree.
  I
  had
  several
  social
  Deaf
  Experience:
  Excellence
  &
  Equity
  -­‐
  San
 
gatherings
  of
  Deaf
  Latinos
  at
  my
  home
  in
  Antonio,
  TX,
  (photos
  attached)
  where
  I
  was
 
Maryland
 and
 it
 became
 obvious
 we
 needed
  voted
  to
  the
  position
  of
  President
  of
  the
 
an
  organization
  to
  support
  each
  other
  and
  organization.
 One
 of
 the
 big
 issues
 we
 discussed
 
focus
  on
  our
  needs
  which
  Gallaudet
  nor
  was
  the
  name
  of
  the
  organization
  -­‐
  whether
  we
 
NAD
  were
  doing.
  From
  these
  meetings
  should
  call
  ourselves
  Latinos
  or
  Hispanics.
  The
 
grew
  the
  idea
  of
  a
  national
  organization.
  votes
  for
  Hispanics
  won
  and
  thus
  the
  name
 
John
  Lopez
  and
  I
  got
  together
  and
  NHCDHH.
  One
  of
  the
  major
  goals
  was
  to
  help
 
brainstormed
  on
  who
  would
  be
  a
  good
  our
  community
  create
  their
  own
  organizations
 
board
  member
  and
  invited
  them
  to
  an
  in
 their
 communities.
 During
 the
 first
 two
 years
 
organizational
  meeting
  in
  1992
  at
  the
  NHC
  succeeded
  in
  helping
  to
  create
  similar
 
Hispanic
  conference
  in
  San
  Antonio.
 Since
  organizations
  in
  Dallas
  and
  Philadelphia.
  We
 
the
  Hispanic/Latino
  community
  is
  actually
  also
  succeeded
  in
  hosting
  a
  successful
  NHC
 
a
  community
  of
  over
  20
  Spanish
  speaking
  conference
 in
 Boston
 in
 1993.
 
countries,
  John
  and
  I
  opted
  to
  have
  at
  least
 
one
  representative
 from
  the
 major
 Spanish
  Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
 
speaking
  countries
  on
  the
  board.
  For
  this
  characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?
reason,
 the
 initial
 NHC
 board
 had
 almost
 20
 
members,
  both
  hearing
  and
  Deaf/hard
  of
  A
  board
  member
  needs
  to
  put
  the
  community
 
hearing
  (D/HH),
  with
  the
  majority
  being
  first
  and
  themselves
  second.
  A
  board
  member
 
D/HH
  (photo
  of
  original
  Board
  members
  needs
 to
 understand
 that
 a
 leader
 does
 what
 the
 
attached).
 John
 and
 I
 developed
 the
 By-­‐laws
  membership
  wants
  -­‐
  not
  what
  the
  board
 
together
  and
  had
  it
  approved
  at
  the
  first
  member
  wants.
  The
  board
  member
  should
 
NHC
 meeting.
Continued…

43

certainly
  try
  to
  convince
  others
  to
  his/her
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  Angel Ramos
thinking
  or
  desires
  but
  once
  a
  decision
  is
  made
  make
 your
 heritage
 special?
he/she
  must
  follow
  the
  decision
  of
  the
  group.
 
Another
  characteristic
  of
  a
  great
  board
  member
  FAMILY.
  I
  find
  it
  so
  ironic
  that
  in
  one
  breath
 
is
 dedication
 to
 the
 organization.
 It
 is
 not
 enough
  politicians
  talk
  about
  the
  importance
  of
  the
 
to
  be
  on
  the
  board
  and
  say
  "I
  am
  a
  NCHDHH
  family
  and
  in
  the
  other
  breath
  they
  talk
 
board
  member."
  You
  have
  to
  prove
  it
  by
  your
  about
  deporting
  Latinos/Hispanics.
  Really,
 
actions,
  and
  that
  means
  devoting
  time
  and
  when
  it
  comes
  to
  discussing
  the
  role
  of
 
energy
  to
  the
  success
  of
 NCHDHH.
  If
  an
  family
  it
  has
  to
  start
  with
  the
 
individual
  cannot
 do
  this
  they
  should
  not
  be
  on
  Latino/Hispanic
  community
  -­‐
  we
  are
  second
 
the
 board. to
 none.
 Then
 there
 is
 the
 culture
 -­‐
 the
 music,
 
the
 food,
 our
  language.
 Ok,
  I
  have
 to
 include
 
Question
  4:
  What's
  the
  hardest
  thing
  you've
  the
  margaritas,
  the
  pina
  coladas,
  the
  ropa
 
ever
 done
 for
 our
 organization? vieja,
  the
  tostones,
  the
  pico
  de
  gallo,
  la
 
The
 hardest
 thing
 was
 letting
 go
 of
 NHC.
 I
 put
 my
  musica,
 cha
 cha
 cha,
 meringue...our
 culture
 is
 
heart
  and
  soul
  into
  creating
  and
  making
  NHC
  a
  FUN.
  Life
  is
  to
  be
  enjoyed
  and
  who
  does
  it
 
success.
  Unfortunately,
  any
  time
  you
  take
  a
  better
  than
  us
  Latinos/Hispanics?
  I
 
leadership
  role
  you
  have
  to
  expect
  people
  to
  remember
  my
  first
  visit
  to
  Colombia,
  South
 
start
 taking
 shots
 at
 you.
 As
 I
 said,
 I
 created
 NHC
  America,
  where
  I
  met
  so
  many
  Colombians
 
and
  was
  their
  first
  and
  only
  president.
 I
  wrote
  who
  had
  two
  jobs
  to
  support
  their
  families.
 
the
  by-­‐laws
  in
  such
  a
  way
  that
  the
  board
  could
  They
  worked
  so
  hard,
  took
  a
  taxi
  or
  bus
  to
 
remove
  me
  as
  president
  if
  they
  were
  not
  work,
  and
  never
  complained.
  They
  were
 
satisfied
  with
  my
  leadership.
  In
  1994
  the
  board
  actually
  happy
  -­‐
  they
  had
  a
  family,
  a
  roof
 
met
 and
 abolished
 the
 position
 of
 president.
 I
 did
  over
 their
 heads
 and
 food
 on
 the
 table.
 That's
 
not
  fight
  this
  decision
  as
  the
  board
  had
  every
  all
  they
  needed
  to
  be
  happy.
  I
  grew
  up
  dirt
 
right
  to
  do
  so
  according
  to
  the
  by-­‐laws
  I
  poor
  in
  the
  slums
  of
  NYC
  with
  my
  mother,
 
wrote.
 When
 they
 voted
 to
 reduce
 the
 board
 to
 4
  grandmother,
  grandfather,
  and
  sister
  in
  a
 
people,
 something
 which
 I
 totally
 disagreed
 with,
  small
  two
  bedroom
  apartment
  (along
  with
 
I
  also
  did
  not
  fight
  it
  even
  though
  it
  meant
  I
  was
  plenty
  of
  cockroaches
  and
  rats).
  My
  mother
 
also
 no
 longer
 on
 the
 board.
 I
 knew
 that
 reducing
  worked
  in
  the
  garment
  district
  sewing
 
the
  board
  to
  4
  people
  would
  put
  too
  much
  buttons
  and
  sleeves
  on
  shirts
  for
  5
  cents
  a
 
responsibility
  in
  the
  hands
  of
  a
  few
  people
  and
  piece.
  We
  were
  dirt
  poor
  but
  we
  never
 
we
 were
 not
 ready
 for
 that.
 Sure
 enough,
 a
 short
  complained.
  We
 took
 care
 of
 each
 other
  and
 
while
  later
  NHC
  became
  inactive.
  I
  continued
  to
  there
 was
 plenty
 of
 love
 going
 around
 in
 our
 
be
  involved
  in
  Deaf
  Hispanic/Latino
  issues
  just
  family.
  When
  life
  gave
  us
  lemons
  we
  made
 
not
 as
 a
 member
 of
 NHC.
  lemonade
 and
 it
 was
 good.
 This
 is
 what
 is
 so
 
special
 about
 my
 heritage.

21

Rosie Serna Rosie Serna
Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 1991-­‐1994
Founding
 Board
 Member

Question
  1:
  Why
  did
  you
  become
  involved
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  make
  your
 
with
 the
 organization?
  heritage
 special?

Because
  of
  the
  excitement
  and
  making
  history
  I'm
  a
  sixth
  generation
  Tejana,
  which
  I
  am
  proud
  of.
  My
 
and
  being
  honored
  as
  one
  of
  the
  first
  Deaf
  late
  parents
  taught
  me
  how
  to
  cook
  genuine
  Mexican
 
Hispanic
 woman
 to
 serve
 on
 the
 original
 board
 in
  food
 and
 how
 to
 make
 the
 "perfect"
 round
 tortilla.
 They
 
1992
 (?). also
  taught
  me
  to
  love
  the
  Catholic
  faith;
  as
  a
  result
  I
 
have
  taught
  Sunday
  school
  for
  40
  years.
 
 Families
 
Question
 2:
 How
 would
 you
 describe
 the
 goals
  always
  get
  together
  faithfully
  after
  church
  in
  the
  olden
 
of
  the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  days.
  Unfortunately,
  today's
  generation
  of
  Mexican-­‐
organization
 achieve
 these
 goals? Americans
  do
  not
  always
  cherish
  that
  tradition.
  Seven
 
Sisters
 is
 the
 name
 of
 a
 town
 in
 South
 Texas.
 They
 were
 
If
  you
  are
  referring
  to
  the
  goals
  in
  the
  early
  my
 aunts
 and
 their
 brother
 is
 my
 late
 father.
 
 One
 of
 the
 
1990s,
  our
  goals
  were
  simple,
  clear
  and
  7
  sisters
  is
  still
  alive!
  The
  aunts
  were
  "pure"
  Tejanas
 
reasonable.
  Then
  we
  lost
  sight
  of
  the
  goals.
  and
  always
  wore
  Mexican
  attire.
  All
  spoke
  Castilian
 
Leaders
 changed,
 first
 few
 years
 were
 good,
 then
  Spanish
  fluently.
  Their
  love
  for
  music
  and
  dance
 
a
  kind
  of
  decline
  took
  place.
  Different
  officers,
  influenced
  me
  to
  became
  a
  professional
  dancer.
 
 Here's
 
high
  turnover
  and
  declining
  number
  of
  the
  link
  about
  the
  town's
  history
  and
  a
  photo
  of
  the
 
conference
  attendees
  and
  members
  probably
  led
  founder
  (Refugio
  Serna,
  owner
  of
  an
  original
  Spanish
 
to
 apathy. land
 grant)
 with
 my
 two
 of
 the
 seven
 aunts,
 dated
 about
 
1900.
Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member? Additional
 Information:
  From
 1967
 to
 present:
 Texas
 
Association
  of
  the
  Deaf,
  Catholic
  organizations,
  Austin
 
Honesty,
  focus,
  teamwork
  believer,
 fairness,
  Deaf
  Abused
  Children
  and
  Women,
  TSD
  alumni,
  dance
 
open-­‐minded,
  and
  friendly
  to
  all
  races
  and
  age
  companies,
 Deaf
 Hispanic
 Women
 and
 NCHDHH.
 TAD
 is
 
groups.
  more
  diversified
  than
  before
  and
  they
  represent
  me
  as
 
a
 Deaf
 Texan.
 
Question
  4:
  What's
  the
  hardest
  thing
  you've
 
ever
 done
 for
 our
 organization?
 
 

Being
  accepted
  as
  equal
  before
 most
  "macho"
 
men.
 The
 hardest
 thing
 as
 a
 deaf
 Hispanic
 woman
 
from
  Texas
  was
  accepting
  the
  word
  "Latino"
 
instead
  of
  "Hispanic"
  or
 even
  the
  sign
  for
  both
 
words.
 
 

 

21

Ronald Stern Ronald Stern
Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 2005-­‐2008
Position
 Held:
 Treasurer

Question
  1:
  Why
  did
  you
  become
  involved
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  make
  your
 
with
 the
 organization?
 
  heritage
 special?
 

Because
  NMSD
  and
  New
  Mexico
  are
  at
  least
  It
  was
  not
  until
  after
  I
  moved
  to
  New
  Mexico
  that
  I
 
50%
  Hispanic
  and
  the
  growing
  nature
  of
  the
  fully
  understood
  the
  special
  tug
  I
  have
  felt
  to
  the
 
population,
 I
 very
 much
 recognized
 the
 need
 to
  Hispanic
  population
  and
  its
  cultures
  and
 
have
  a
  vibrant
  national
  organization
  of,
  by
  and
  languages.
 
  From
  my
  mother,
  I
  learned
  that
  family
  on
 
for
 Hispanic
 Deaf. my
  mother’s
  side
  was
  originally
  from
  Spain
  during
 
Inquisition
 and
 that
 it
 was
 because
 of
 it
 that
 they
 had
 
Question
  2:
  How
  would
  you
  describe
  the
  immigrated
  to
  Germany.
 
  So
  in
  addition
  to
  being
 
goals
  of
  the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  Jewish
  and
  a
  member
  of
  a
  minority
  that
  has
  been
 
organization
 achieve
 these
 goals?
 
  oppressed
  and
  discriminated
  against
  for
  many,
  many
 
years,
 
 I
  now
  know
  I
  also
  have
  Hispanic
  blood.
 
  I
  am
 
While
  the
  goals
  of
  the
  organization
  are
  multi-­‐ now
 more
 convinced
 than
 ever
 that
 I
 understand
 why
 
faceted
  impacting
  the
  lives
  of
  Hispanic
  Deaf
  in
  I
  am
  passionate
  about
  social
  justice
  and
  cultural
 
many
  different
  ways,
  there
  is
  a
  distinct
  sensitivity.
common
  thread.
 
  And
  this
  is
  to
  enhance
  the
 
 
quality
 of
 life
 of
 today
 and
 tomorrow’s
 Hispanic
  Additional
 information:
 
 
Deaf
 via
  empowerment
  and
 advocating
  for
 the
  My
  involvement
  started
  along
  with
  the
  other
  charter
 
unique
  and
  common
  needs
  and
  issues
  of
  this
  members
  of
  the
  current
  NHC
  organization
  from
  the
 
Hispanic
 but
 also
 diverse
 population. get-­‐go
  in
  the
  early
  2000’s.
 
  I
  was
  also
  treasurer
  at
 
first.
Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?
 
 
 

One
  who
  is
  passionate,
  committed,
  sensitive,
 a
 
team
  player,
  a
  great
  listener
  and
  has
  integrity
 
and
 humility.

Question
  4:
  What's
  the
  hardest
  thing
  you've
 
ever
 done
 for
 our
 organization?
 
 

To
  be
  a
  part
  of
  the
  group
  that
  was
  trying
  to
 
bring
  people
  back
  on
  board
  and
  raise
  interest
 
nationally
  in
  the
  resurrection
  of
  having
  a
 
national
 organization

12

Angelina Tejeda Ortiz Angelina Tejeda Ortiz
Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 2005-­‐2009
Position
 held:
 Board
 Member
 and
 Secretary

“Deaf”
 person
 just
 because
 I
 didn’t
 attend
 a
 Deaf
 school.
 
 I
 
had
 little
 influence
 in
 Deaf
 communities
 at
 that
 time,
 other
 
than
 my
 own.
 
 I
 had
 to
 resign
 to
 help
 raise
 my
 Deaf
 
grandson
 who
 was
 born
 dead
 but
 resuscitated
 and
 was
 left
 
with
 hearing
 loss.
 
 I
 have
 since
 become
 his
 role
 model,
 
homeschooling
 him.
 

Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  make
  your
 
heritage
 special?
 

Its
  language,
  culture
  and
  customs
  (traditions)
  that
 
differentiate
  it
 from
 other
  cultures
  yet
 at
 the
 same
 time
 it
 
participates
  in
 it.
 
 I
  taught
  Mexican
  folklorico
  for
 40
 years
 
to
  many
  hearing
  children
  (no
  Deaf
  children
  registered),
 
retiring
  some
  8
  years
  ago.
 
 I
  have
  loved
  teaching
  dancing
 

and
 miss
 it
 so
 very
 much….
 

Additional
 Information:
 
 

Question
 1:
 Why
 did
 you
 become
 involved
 with
 the
  Born
 in
 Arturo
 Martinez
 Adame,
 Durango,
 Mexico
 
organization?
 
 
I
  had
  just
  been
  appointed
  by
  Governor
  Janet
  Present
 Residence:
 Lake
 Havasu
 City,
 Arizona
 
Napolitano
  to
  the
  Arizona
  Commission
  for
  the
  Deaf
 
and
  Hard
  of
  Hearing
  (ACDHH)
  when
  I
  was
  requested
  Father
  Deaf,
  Aztec
  Indian.
  Mother
  Hearing,
  Tarahumara
 
to
 attend
 the
 NCHDHH
 conference
 in
 Washington,
 D.C.
  Indian
 
without
  understanding
  what
  was
  going
  on.
 
 I
  did
  not
 
expect
 to
 be
 appointed
 Secretary
 but
 accepted
  it
 with
  Oral
  Schooling,
  Avondale
  School
  district/Agua
  Fria
  Union
 
grace.
 
 As
  I
  became
  involved
  I
  felt
  honored,
  humbled
  High
 School
 (one
 older
 Deaf
 sister
 orally
 schooled
 with
 me,
 
and
 fortunate
 to
 join
 such
 a
 stellar
 organization
 whose
  younger
  Deaf
  sister
 attended
  Arizona
  State
  School
  for
  the
 
goals
 matched
 mine
 but
 on
 a
 national
 scale.
  Deaf
  at
  Tucson,
  Arizona).
 
 Older
  sister
  and
  I
  were
  refused
 
entrance
  to
  ASDB
  since
  we
  already
  spoke
  three
  (3)
 
Question
  2:
  How
  would
  you
  describe
  the
  goals
  of
  languages:
 
 Nahuatl,
 Raramuri
 and
 Spanish
 
the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  organization
 
achieve
 these
 goals?
  Deaf
 Advocate
 in
 Lake
 Havasu
 City,
 Mohave
 County,
 Az
 

Reach
  out
  to
  all
  Deaf
  Latinos
  and
  invite
  them
  to
  Member
 of
 non-­‐profit
 Boards:
 
become
  participatory
  in
  the
  national
  group
  to
  achieve
 
national
  goals.
 
 Goals
  achieved
  state
  wide
  impact
  the
  Colorado
  River
  Association
  of
  the
  Deaf
  and
  Hard
  of
 
group
 nationally.
 
 At
 that
 time
 we
  tried
 to
 raise
 funds
  Hearing
 (CRADHH),
 President
 2005-­‐2009
 
state
 by
 state,
 by
 holding
 fundraisers
 and
 exposing
 the
 
public
  to
  the
  customs,
  traditions
  and
  different
  Latino
  Americans
  with
  Disabilities
  Act
  Advisory
  Board,
  Board
 
signed
 languages.
  Member,
 2005-­‐2010
 

Question
 3:
 What
 do
 you
 think
 are
 the
  Arizona
  Commission
  for
  the
  Deaf
  and
  Hard
  of
  Hearing,
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?
  Board
  member
  and
  Interpreter
  Review
  Committee,
  2005-­‐
2009
 
One
  who
  is
  willing
  to
  work
  to
  unify
  all
  Deaf
  Latinos,
 
who
  is
  skilled
  in
  public
  speaking,
  fundraising
  and
  National
  Council
  of
  Hispano
  Deaf
  and
  Hard
  of
  Hearing,
 
advocacy,
  one
  who
  is
  skilled
  in
  leadership
  and
  Board
 member/Secretary,
 2005-­‐2009
 
negotiations.
 
Intertribal
  Deaf
  Council,
  Board
  member/Secretary,
  2005-­‐
Question
 4:
 What's
 the
 hardest
 thing
 you've
 ever
  2009
 
done
 for
 our
 organization?
 
 

  Mohave
  Community
  College,
  ASL
  Instructor/Language
 
Raising
 funds
 in
 Arizona
 because
 I
 did
 not
 reside
 in
  Articulation
  Task
  Force
  ASL/Spanish
  Language
  Special
 
any
 of
 the
 big
 metropolitan
 areas
 but
 rather
 a
 small
  Events
 presenter,
 1998-­‐present
 
out
 of
 the
 way
 town.
 
 I
 wasn’t
 locally
 known
 as
 a
 
 


 

 

21

Franklin C. Torres, Ph.D. Franklin C. Torres
Years
 Involved
 with
 NCHDHH:
 2006-­‐2013
Position
 Held:
 Board
 Member
 (2006-­‐2008),
 Treasurer
 (2008-­‐2013)

Question
  3:
  What
  do
  you
  think
  are
  the
 
characteristics
 of
 a
 great
 board
 member?

I
  think
  a
  great
  board
  member
  should
  include:
 

understands
 and
 is
 committed
 to
 the
 organization's
 

mission,
 acts
 as
 a
 advocate
 for
 the
 organization
 and
 

its
  members,
  respects
  the
  opinions
  of
  others,
 
contributes
  knowledge,
  approaches
 

responsibilities,
  and
  avoids
  any
  possibility
  of
 

conflict
 of
 interest.
 

Question
  1:
  Why
  did
  you
  become
  involved
  Question
  4:
  What's
  the
  hardest
  thing
  you've
 
with
 the
 organization?
  ever
 done
 for
 our
 organization?
 

When
  I
  was
  invited
  to
  a
  special
  farewell
  party
  As
  a
  chairperson
  for
  the
  first
  national
  conference,
  I
 
for
 Mr.
 John
 Lopez
 who
 passed
 away
 in
 the
 past
  started
  to
  set
  up
  the
  national
  conference
  in
 
of
  6
  years,
  I
  met
  some
  significant
  Latino.
 
  They
  Washington,
  DC.
 
  I
  had
  a
  few
  volunteers
  who
  were
 
found
  me
  that
  I
  was
 able
  to
  contribute
 to
 deaf
  NCH
  board
  members
  to
  help
  out.
 
  From
  there,
  we
 
Latino
 community.
 
 They
 invited
 me
 to
 attend
 a
  built
  a
  better
  relationship
  to
  understand
  the
 
leadership
  training
  in
  Albuquerque,
  New
  importance
  of
  responsibilities
  and
 
Mexico
  in
  2005.
 
  After
  the
  training
  session,
  I
  commitments.
 
  As
  a
  treasurer,
  I
  had
  a
  watchdog
 
was
  appointed
  as
  a
  member
  at
  large
  for
  this
  role
  over
  all
  aspects
  of
  financial
  management.
 
  I
 
organization.
  That's
  why
  I
  involved
  with
  this
  ensured
  effective
  monitoring
  and
  reporting
  from
 
since
 2005. all
 board
 members
  to
 do
  some
 fundraisers
  but
 it's
 
not
 easy
 to
 do
 that
 part.
Question
  2:
  How
  would
  you
  describe
  the
 
goals
  of
  the
  organization,
  and
  how
  did
  the
  Question
  5:
  What
  are
  some
  things
  that
  make
 
organization
 achieve
 these
 goals? your
 heritage
 special?

The
  organization's
  goals
  to
  increase
  access
  to
  My
  family
  comes
  from
  Peru.
 
  I
  enjoy
  celebrating
 
general
  information
  through
  national
  Incan
  ancestry
  especially
  traditional
  dances
  and
 
conference,
 websites,
 and
 social
 media. food.
 
 Loud
 colors
 in
 Incan's
 dresses.

The
  organization
  has
  achieved
  their
  goals
  are
  Additional
 information:
 
the
  national
  biennial
  conference
  in
  different
  I
 established
 an
 organization
 in
 Latino
 Deaf
 and
 HH
 
regional
  states.
 
  We
  did
  accomplish
  four
  times
  of
 Metro
  DC
 Area
 in
 2005
 and
 served
 as
 president
 
for
  the
  national
  conference
  since
  2007.
 
 
  The
  for
 two
 terms
 (2005-­‐2008,
 2008-­‐2010).
organization
  also
  has
  increased
  and
  grown
  to
 
 
reach
  out
  more
  unique
  deaf
  Latino
  individuals
 
to
 get
 involved
 with.

Past NCHDHH Conferences

1st National Conference (Washington, D.C.)
2nd National Conference (Chicago)

3rd National Conference (Austin)

4th National Conference (Albuquerque, NM)











President Vice President Secretary Treasurer

Rogelio Fernández, Jr. Milmaglyn "Milly" Morales Roberto Sandoval Paolina Ramirez

Executive Director Director of Marketing Director of Fundraising
Director of Public Policy

Mark Apodaca Carlos Aponte, Jr. Corina Gutiérrez

Director of Membership Director of Community Director of Continuing
Outreach Education

Socorro Moore Jim Vigil Elvia Guillermo

www.councildemanos.org


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