Officers and Representatives Bio

Danny Lucero is a Navajo and Apache Deaf advocate, cultural bearer, and community leader born and raised in New Mexico. He was raised by a Deaf single mother and grandparents in a multigenerational Deaf household deeply rooted in Indigenous traditions, language, and resilience. As a Deaf individual himself, Danny’s life experience bridges Native identity and Deaf culture, positioning him as a powerful voice at the intersection of accessibility, equity, and cultural preservation.

Danny began his education at the New Mexico School for the Deaf and continued his academic journey at the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (SWCID), choosing to remain connected to family and community. He later earned a degree in Deaf Studies from Gallaudet University, where he actively participated in historic civil rights movements, including Deaf President Now (DPN), further shaping his commitment to systemic advocacy and leadership.

A lifelong advocate for Indigenous and Deaf communities, Danny has served as Vice President of the Inter-Tribal Deaf Council, working to elevate Native Deaf voices, promote culturally responsive services, and address long-standing disparities in access to education, health, and employment. His work centers on culturally grounded advocacy that honors tribal sovereignty, Deaf self-determination, and community-led solutions.

Danny is also an accomplished cultural artist and educator. His work includes powwow dancing, drumming, storytelling, acting, and contributions to American Sign Language (ASL) educational books and videos. Through these creative expressions, he preserves Indigenous knowledge, promotes Deaf cultural visibility, and fosters intergenerational learning within Native and Deaf communities.

Currently, Danny serves as a consultant for the Center of Deaf Health Excellence at Gallaudet University and works as a Job Developer in the state of Ohio, where he supports Deaf individuals in achieving meaningful employment and economic self-sufficiency. His professional work is grounded in advocacy, mentorship, and systems change, with a focus on improving outcomes for historically underserved populations.

Danny is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose work is guided by cultural pride, community responsibility, and spiritual faith. His lived experience, leadership, and advocacy continue to strengthen Native and Deaf communities through culturally responsive, community-centered impact.

Dawn K. Watts was born Deaf to Deaf parents in Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a B.A. in psychology from Gallaudet University and some courses M.A. in School Counselor and Interpreting Program from Gallaudet University and ASL Linguistics from Ohio State University.  

She was a Board member of PBJ Connections which is for professional mental health and behavioral health therapy for Deaf Youth and families using horses.  She is working for Columbus State Community College as a Practicum Coordinator and Columbus Speech & Hearing Center as an SSP/CN Ohio Statewide Coordinator as a part-time job for the DeafBlind people.

Christine Stepien graduated from The University of Akron with a BFA Degree in Graphic Design.  I took some elective courses to learn ASL~American Sign Language at the University of Akron at age 20.   I have fallen in love with ASL since ever then.

I worked a part-time job as Production I, and Team Manager for a brief time at Deaf Initiatives from the beginning of the year 2012 until November 2018.   Resumed to work at KTQ from September 2020 to December 2023.

I am certainly a Part-time employee as an ASL Lab Assistant at CSCC~Columbus State Community College during the Spring semester as of January 2024 to present…

Volunteered for ASLTA Conference in Columbus, Ohio in 2023.  My passion is assisting students and people to learn and grow with sign language in ASL.

Current ODFL Secretary since 2023 of January to present.  Re-elected ODFL Secretary for 2024-2026. 

Married and Mother of two CODA sons Thomas IV and Matthew.  Lives with four cats in the house!

 Experienced:
 I was the former Chairperson for Ohio Deaf History Month from 2020 to 2023.

Additionally, I served as Chairperson for the first two years of hosting the Ohio Deaf History Month 2021 and 2022 Annual Students' Drawing Art Contests.

Hobby:

I enjoy interacting with people to enrich my life, traveling to experience different cultures and learn about their history around the world, creating crafts, reading books, and watching the daily news on TV.

Volunteer:

I enjoy volunteering to help set up a booth for the ODFL for any events. 

Sometimes I like to help to do SSP for the DeafBlind events. 

(they/them)

is a disability advocate and mental health professional dedicated to advancing accessibility, equity, and inclusive learning spaces. A graduate of the Ohio School for the Deaf, The Ohio State University, and Walden University, Geo holds a PhD in Human Services with a specialization in Mental Health, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work. Their work centers on Deaf mental health, language access, and strengthening community-based resources. Guided by lived experience and a commitment to accessibility as a fundamental right, Geo supports initiatives that promote inclusion, connection, and lifelong learning within the Deaf community. 

is a legally blind and deaf person from Portsmouth, Ohio, whose life is greatly enhanced by the use of his service dog, a three-year-old golden retriever named Larkin. A former student at the Helen Keller Institute, he appreciates life and believes in having fun, always enjoying meeting new people and making new friends. Chris is not only a positive person who dreams big, he is also big on standing up for the rights of disabled people and bringing awareness about disabilities and service dogs. As a result of his work with Ohio Representatives and Senators, in May 2016 Ohio Bill 121 passed in the 131st General Assembly, making Ohio the first state in the U.S. to have a “Service Dog Awareness Week,” which happens the last week of July each year.

Chris is also passionate about remote support technologies and the role they play in helping people with disabilities to live more independent lives. One of his favorites sayings is, “If you set your mind to do something you can do it, and I will be the first to show that as folks with disabilities, we can do it — maybe we have to do it differently, but we can do it.” This attitude shines through as Chris encourages his peers to use technology and advocates for businesses to accommodate people with disabilities.

is a Deaf advocate with direct experience working with severe language deprivation. Born into a Deaf immigrant family, she holds a BA in American Studies with a minor in Psychology from UTSA in San Antonio, TX. As the Advocate/Community Outreach Specialist for a Deaf-run nonprofit organization — Triad Deaf Services — she also works to raise awareness about the impact of language deprivation and its prevention. 

Originally from Northeast Ohio, I have lived in Cincinnati for the last 14 years.  I attended Cuyahoga Community College where I graduated their ITP in 2010.  I attended the University of Cincinnati to complete my Bachelor’s degree in ASL Interpreting in 2013.  I have interpreting experience in various settings, primarily community, educational and medical.  I am a passionate advocate of ASL, early language acquisition, Deaf equity and inclusion, and a love of learning!  I love people, especially children (I have 4 of my own). 

I am Deaf since birth and am bilingual in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English; and bicultural in both the Deaf and Hearing cultures and communities. I have been teaching ASL for over 30 years for various centers, Deaf Services Center, Northern Virginia Community College, Northern Virginia Resource Center, and Columbus State Community College. Currently, teach at the University of Cincinnati full-time, part-time at Ohio University, and Xavier University.

Not only that, but I love teaching and conversing in this amazing native language of the Deaf.  Even though I already have three other degrees, on December 13, 2019, I received my master’s degree in teaching American Sign Language from the University of Northern Colorado. It was a wonderful experience being in Colorado during the summer months with other Deaf people in this hybrid program. Therefore, I understand what it is like to be in your shoes as a student with both online and in-person classes.

I am also a certified member of the American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) national organization and where I served on their board as their Communications Director. I also served as the Professional Development Coordinator for the 2021 ASLTA Virtual National Professional Development Conference (NPDC) and for the in-person 2023 ASLTA NPDC in Columbus, Ohio.

Additionally, I do other volunteer work, as the American Sign Language Instructor Network (ASLIN) Professional Development Director; as the co-editor of the Ohio Deaf Friends of Library (ODFL) The Deaf Reader newsletter since June 2020. Additionally, I am also the ODFL Southeast 5 Representative (Athens area), where we support libraries and spread awareness on Deaf History Month, Deaf Culture, ASL Story time, etc.  In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, reading, bible studying, exercising, biking, walking, and spending time with my family and cats.