Serving Philadelphia since 1972

Our purpose is clear.



We’re focused on creating opportunities for Deaf individuals to become more participatory members of Philadelphia through work, fellowship and community activism.

Access

We provide a range of communication access programs including ASL Interpreting Services, ASL classes and other advocacy and training programs that expand accessibility.

Programs

We offer a wide variety of community based programs geared toward different needs and segments of our community, including young adults, parents of deaf and job seekers.

Advocacy

We serve as a local resource agency and provide advocacy services that help Philadelphia businesses and community members become a more inclusive place for Deaf residents.

About DHCC

In 1972, Lillian Hoshauer, a Deaf woman, and other committed individuals, including Doris Stettler and April Nelson, founded a non-profit organization, the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc. (DHCC) for the purposes of promoting communication access and cultural awareness.

Our communication services include sign language interpreting and CART (real-time captioning).  Our education services include ASL classes, sensitivity training and workshops.  We advocate for individuals to help them gain communication access to services, businesses, educational institutions and their own places of employment.

We're a nonprofit organization who, through our own programs and the work we do with local partners, businesses and individuals,
makes our region more inclusive.



People at DHCC

DHCC is a non-profit organization managed by a Board of Directors. The Board designates day-to-day management and authority to the Executive Director who in turn designates responsibilities to staff. DHCC is governed by a set of bylaws and one of the most important is to maintain a Deaf and hard of hearing consumer majority. Lillian Hoshauer, a Deaf woman, had the vision to establish DHCC and it is important to us to receive direction from and be accountable to the people we serve.

DHCC Team

Neil McDevitt

Executive Director

Janine Stephan

Interpreter Referral Department Director

Tanya Sturgis

Director of Community Programs & Advocacy

Julie Suen

Controller

Sarah Greto

Human Resources and Office Manager
A picture of Bradley Hlibok sittng at a computer. He is a white male with short hair smiling to the camera.

Bradley Hlibok

Development and Fundraising Manager

Taylor Anderson

Deaf Community Engagement Manager

Sara Patterson

Interpreter Referral Department Operations Manager

Sam Williams

Interpreter Referral Department Customer Relations Coordinator

Peri Himsel

Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator

Kamea Curry

Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator

Jenny Goodman

Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator

Kimberly Kibbe

Interpreter Referral Department Customer Relations Coordinator

Paul Thiergartner

Finance Coordinator
Board Members
Board Member Joseph Riggio is looking at the camera. He is wearing a checkerboard shirt and jacket. He has lightly olive skin and a salt-and-pepper beard.

Joe Riggio

Chair

Hannah Jo Mounty-Weinstock

Director
Board Member Tammy Vondra is a woman with light brown hair wearing a black jacket and red top is smiling at the camera.

Tammy Vondra

Treasurer

Maribeth Zeleski-Emmons

Secretary

Maribeth Zeleski-Emmons

Director
Board Member Karen Leslie-Henry is looking at the camera. She is a Black woman with a blue top and glasses.

Karen Leslie-Henry

Secretary
Board Member Pat Pomroy is looking at the camera. She's wearing a brightly colored sweater and has glasses.

Pat Pomroy

Director
Board Member Marsha Miceli is smiling at the camera. She has blonde hair and is wearing a black top.

Marsha Miceli

Director

Richard Budney

Director
Board Member Christina Rizzetta is shown in black and white.

Christina Satterly

Vice Chair

Ibukun Odunlami

Director

Jessica Harnly-Cooper

Director

Lillian Hoshauer

Emeritus

April Nelson

Emeritus
Consumer Advisory Committee

Todd Miller

Committee Chair

Ben Magee

Committee

Kevin Schaffer

Committee

Colleen Schaffer

Committee

Alesya Starayeva

Committee

Dominic Gordine

Committee

Connie Wallace

Committee

Paulette Fisher

Committee

Charles McGowan

Committee

Teraca Florence

Committee

Neil McDevitt

Committee

Tanya Sturgis

Committee
Interpreter Services Advisory Committee (ISAC)

Hannah-Jo Mounty Weinstock

Committee Chair

JoAnn Chapman

Committee

Maribel Escarfullery

Committee

June Goodwin

Committee

Mary Hesser

Committee

Neil McDevitt

Committee

Marge McHenry

Committee

Nancy Neff

Committee

Sarah Reed

Committee

Heather Schmerman

Committee

Brian Smith

Committee
Apply

DHCC is looking for new Board members with vision and a passion to serve.

Since our founding in 1972, the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC) has been recognized as the most effective organization in promoting communication accessibility and cultural awareness for Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people in the Philadelphia region. The Board, with a majority of Deaf and hard of hearing members, and staff guide us in our accomplishments.

DHCC is most interested in finding individuals to serve on our board who share our passion to improve communication access. The applicant should have some volunteer experience and prior Board experience is an asset. We have a need of someone who would be able to advise us on legal matters as they arise during board meetings and in the office. We also have a need of individuals with skills in marketing, human resources, technology, and/or fundraising.

DHCC has a by-law that mandates us to have a majority of Deaf and hard of hearing Board members. We encourage individuals with a hearing loss to apply. Other individuals that make good Board members are those with a family member with a hearing loss. Please review information about us throughout the website and the short description of Board member duties and expectations by clicking here or the button below.