Strategies for Promoting Independence and Literacy for Deaf Learners With Disabilities

Raschelle Neild is currently the accreditation coordinator at Gallaudet University. Her research focus assessment of deaf and hard of hearing students, deaf education teacher preparation, and deaf learners with multiple disabilities. Raschelle has presented nationally and internationally. She was also awarded two Fulbright grant awards one to Tunisia and one to Ireland. In her free time, Raschelle enjoys making pottery, traveling, and spending time with her children. Patrick Graham is currently an Associate Professor and Department Chair of the Master of Science in Secondary Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. His focus is on STEM education, early childhood instructional strategies for deaf children with multiple disabilities, and educational equity. A long-time advocate of equity and excellence in Deaf education, Patrick worked with Dr. Joseph Tobin at the University of Georgia and his colleagues on a Spencer funded research project, studying deaf preschools in Japan, France, and the United States. Patrick also formerly taught Kindergarten at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. In his free time, Patrick enjoys traveling, reading, and interacting with his three sons; two who are deaf and one is a CODA.