The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing Hires New Parent Coordinator
(Phoenix, Ariz.) –The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH) has hired Jennifer Hensley as new parent coordinator. As the parent coordinator, Hensley will provide information and referral resources specifically for parents, educators, families and other stakeholders in the lives of children who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind throughout the state. In her role, she will also provide training to parents in regard to advocating for their child’s education, socialization and communication choices and conduct outreach and education activities.
Hensley’s experience includes providing freelance interpreting services, as well as teaching American Sign Language at Phoenix College. She is also a board member of Children of Deaf Adults (CODA) International and is the CODA conference co-chair for the 2014 conference in Tempe.
“When we surveyed our Community, we heard from many of them that an important position for us to consider would be that of a parent coordinator. We are glad we were able to find someone like Jennifer to fill this important role for our organization,” said Sherri Collins, executive director of ACDHH since 1998.
Hensley received a Master degree in Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education from Arizona State University and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Early Childhood Education at the University of Georgia.
Hensley is a resident of Phoenix.
ABOUT ACDHH:
Established in 1977 to improve the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing residents, ACDHH serves as a statewide information referral center for issues related to people with hearing loss and aspires to be a national leader in communication access, support services and community empowerment throughout the state. The purpose of the organization, and its commissioners, is to ensure, in partnership with the public and private sector, accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing to improve their quality of life.
Commissioners include Chris Schneck, Elizabeth Booth, Juliann Wasisco, Sherry Appleby, Robert Baber, Raymond Baesler David Curry, Tina Duresky, Robert Hill, Robert Kirschbaum, Sue Kay Kneifel, Tom Muller, Maureen D. Sydnor and Kathy Ann Roadlander.
