Born Deaf of hearing parents in Newburgh, NY. Attended NY School for the Deaf and graduated in 1957. Went to Gallaudet College and received Assoicate in Applied Science in Graphic Arts in 1960.
Employment:
---Worked as a compositor in NY Daily News from 1962 to 1967.
---Transferred to NY Deaf School as Recreation Director. In 1970, worked as flim inspector and was a supervisor with Captioned Films for the Deaf serving Deaf groups in eastern states at the same school. Two years later, when the three CFD libraries merged into one big library located in Indianapolis, I became assistant director there until 1987.
---Transferred to Indiana Deaf School as Media Coordinator until my retirement in 2000.
ASL Teaching experience:
Worked as ASL teacher for Parents-Teacher-Counselor Organization 1980-1987 teaching the parents at ISD and Adult Community. Transferred to Indiana Association of the Deaf ASL Program in 1988 and still teaching. I also taught ASL at Ball State University for two semesters in 2005,
Attended workshops at ASLTA Conferences and Vincennes University ASL Program.
Extra Curricular Activities:
---Member of IAD, NAD, RID, Indiana Chapter of RID, Indianapolis Deaf Club, Willard ASL Teachers Association, Volunteer at ISD Sports, Nursing home for the Deaf. Currently board member of Mayor's Advisory Council for Disabilities in Indianapolis.
---Founded Indy Area Deaf Community Newsletter (through e-mail system) in 1998 and I have been the editor since then.
Since 1995, Donald has been the Program Director for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) in Indianapolis, IN. An alumnus of Indiana School for the Deaf, he studied at National Technology Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and received his Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI.)
In 1992, Donald founded and served as President of Indianapolis Black Deaf Advocates (IBDA.) From 1994 to 1997, Donald was the Editor-in-Chief for the National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) Network. He was former treasurer and served as Chairperson for the 16th Annual NBDA Conference when it was held in Indianapolis in 1998.
Donald Tinsley is a veteran community advocate. He has served on the Governor’s Planning Council for People with Disabilities (GPC), and was Chairperson of the Relay Indiana Consumer Advisory Committee. He held numerous positions for the Indiana Association of the Deaf (IAD) including President, Vice-President, and board member. As a notable volunteer, Donald received awards from both NBDA and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for his many accomplishments and excellence in leadership.
In addition to his community involvement, he has been an ordained minister since 1991 when he graduated from Aenon Bible College in Indianapolis. As a minister, Donald established and directed several deaf ministries for churches in Indiana and Tennessee.
Donald has been married to his wife, Gloria for the past 32 years. They have two adult children Rebecca and Donald, Jr.
Gabriel Love received his Bachelor of Education degree from Gallaudet University in 1985 in Deaf Education and Secondary English Education. He went on to receive his Master of Divinity from Liberty University in 1989. Gabriel has been working with the Deaf and hearing students for the past 30 years in the capacities as an Educator, Social Worker, Program Coordinator, American Sign Language Professor and Linguist, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, and Pastor/Teacher to the Deaf and Marriage Counselor. Gabriel is familiar with all kinds of deaf and hard of hearing people, their methods of communication, the curriculum for the education of the Deaf and the history surrounding these fine culturally inspiring people with special linguistic abilities. Presently Gabriel is a Public school teacher at Franklin Community High School and also an Adjunct professor at IUPUC, Columbus, Indiana. Gabriel has successfully completed his Doctoral Education (Ed.D) and gradually completing his Doctoral Dissertation titled: Using American Sign Language and Signing Exact English to teach reading and writing skills using standard assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of both methods of teaching the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. (Pilot Study)
Christine Multra Kraft has taught American Sign Language to people of all ages for the last 17 years and holds ASLTA Professional level certification. She now teaches at IUPUI and as a language mentor for Sorenson as well as working as a Deaf Interpreter. Christine grew up in Illinois, then went on to graduate from Gallaudet and New York University. Christine lives in Fishers and writes about her family adventures with her husband, Roger, and their four KODA children for SigNews.
Ronda Bilz is a native Hoosier with one hearing son, and two Deaf step sons. She recently celebrated the 17th anniversary with her Deaf life partner. She graduated from the Vincennes University American Sign Language Program, attended the IUPUI English/ASL Interpreting Program, and received her CI & CT in 1999. Currently Ronda is serving her second term as president of ICRID. Retiring after 26 years in customer service with USAirways, she now works full time as a freelance interpreter in many venues, including Sorenson VRS for the past five years.
Terri has been married for almost 35 years to Ronald Neal. They have 4 children ages 33, 30, 25, and 14. They have 5 grandchildren and one more on the way!
Terri started learning ASL in 1996. In 2007 she became nationally certified with a NIC Advanced certification.
Most of her education in the field of ASL and Interpreting was acquired through immersion into the Deaf Community; in addition she took private lessons from a certified interpreter in Clarkston, Michigan. Terri has also worked with a Deaf teacher for 5 years in a community class teaching Vista Signing Naturally.
While studying for the NIC, Terri took workshops by Signs of Development to prepare for her test. Terri has worked full time as an interpreter since July 2002. She also serves as an ordained minister and interprets in a religious setting weekly. Terri also provides on a volunteer basis interpreting and pastoral counseling to the Deaf Community.
Terri’s husband, Ron is the founder and pastor of “Creekside Ministries”, in Fishers, Indiana. The y enjoy a bi- cultural ministry with over 100 Deaf members and almost as many Hearing members.
WORK OF EXPERIENCE
February 2009 - September 2009 Communication Access Center J.O.B.S. Indianapolis, IN
Job Developer
--Provided one to one professional interaction with clients
-- Recommended and scheduled client training
--Researched information on employers, job fairs, training and other vocationally-related information
--Provided outreach support in community as assigned
--Assisted with making job development reports
--Submitted work activity calendar to manager weekly
--Focused a positive work atmosphere by acting and communication in a manner to facilitate collaboration among myself, customers, clients, co-workers and management.
--Worked under the stress of deadlines
--Performed accurately
August 2007 - March 2009 Communication Access Center Indianapolis, IN
Customer Service Representative
--Assisted the Director of Operation in managing the reports
--Gave presentations regarding XVRS service and non-profit organization CAC
--Assisted with outreach activities and marketing
--Submitted work activity calendar to manager monthly
--Provided customer service and technical support
--Verified billing and invoices
December 2005 - March 2007 Be Inspired Indianapolis, IN
Customer Service Representative (Sales)
--Recommended specific product by determining customer requirements and expectations
--Provided alternate products based on cost, availability or specifications
--Delivered product on expected date and in a timely manner
--Provided information on terminology, features, and benefits of products
--Determined trends in customer satisfaction.
--Performed with flexibility.
February 2003 - November 2005 Q-Edge Corporation Indianapolis, IN
Team Lead
--Assisted Supervisor in managing material handling and inventory control.
--Trained new employees to read and follow the SOP’s that show how to build variety of work orders
--Discussed with employers to improve their quality goals in meeting production weekly
--Performed pretest and run/plug-in of equipment
July 1993 - March 2002 National City Bank Indianapolis, IN
Operation Processing Clerk II
--Assisted Supervisor in managing the reports, producing planning planners and soling customers’ complaint about invoices
--Verified variety of company accounts
--Delegated responsibility for 10-key data entry
--Pended and closed account
EDUCATION
December 2009 Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies IUPUI Indianapolis, IN
PROFICIENCY IN LANGUAGE
American Sign Language
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