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.
Download Our Annual Reports
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
Board Members
Consumer Advisory Committee
Interpreter Services Advisory Committee (ISAC)
Apply
DHCC Team
Neil McDevitt
Executive Director
Julie Suen
Controller
Ken Wesler
Development Director
Tanya Sturgis
Education Coordinator
Silas Scott
Community Programs Coordinator
Janine Stephan
Interpreter Referral Department Director
Sara Patterson
Interpreter Referral Department Operations Manager
Kamea Curry
Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator
Sam Williams
Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator
Peri Himsel
Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator
Joe Mitchell
Interpreter Referral Department Coordinator
Paul Thiergartner
Billing Assistant
Board Members
Joe Riggio
Chair
Christina Satterly
Vice Chair
Tammy Vondra
Treasurer
Karen Leslie-Henry
Secretary
Maribeth Zeleski-Emmons
Director
Todd Miller
Director
Pat Pomroy
Director
Marsha Miceli
Director
Richard Budney
Director
Sara Nović
Director
Charles McFadden
Director
Ibukun Odunlami
Director
Jessica Harnly-Cooper
Director
Hannah Jo Mounty-Weinstock
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)
Joy Harris
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.
