Current DHH-RERC (2024-2029)
The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (DHH-RERC) is led by the Gallaudet University Technology Access Program (TAP). Our partners are Boston University, the University of Washington, AppTek, The John F. Kennedy Cetner for the Performing Arts, Smithsonian Institution, and the Hearing Loss Association of America.
DHH-RERC Leadership and Management
The DHH-RERC is led and managed by the following faculty at Gallaudet University:
(DHH-RERC Director)
Professor, Accessible
Human-Centered
Computing and Policy;
Director, TAP,
Gallaudet University
(DHH-RERC Co-Director)
Assistant Professor,
Accessible Human-Centered
Computing and Policy,
Gallaudet University
RERC Steering Committee
Abraham Glasser — Gallaudet University
Christian Vogler — Gallaudet University
Naomi Caselli — Boston University
Jennifer Mankoff — University of Washington
Mike Veronis — AppTek
Michelle Cook — Smithsonian Institution
Jessica Swanson — The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
R1 Project Team – Multimodal Adaptive Training in XR
Project Leads
Lorna Quandt, PhD — Full Professor, Educational Neuroscience, Gallaudet University
Abraham Glasser, PhD — Assistant Professor, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University
Project Staff
Jason Durek — Research Engineer, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University
Melissa Malzkuhn — Director, Motion Light Lab, Gallaudet University
Shela Atemnkeng — Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University
Laurel Aichler — Graduate Assistant, PhD in Educational Neuroscience, Gallaudet University
Former Project Staff
Norman Williams — Research Engineer (Retired), Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University
Joseph Palagano — Graduate Assistant, PhD in Educational Neuroscience, Gallaudet University
R2 Project – Next-Gen Assistive Listening
Project Leads
Betty Siegel, JD — Director, Office of Accessibility, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Michelle Cook — Inclusive Design Specialist, Smithsonian Institution
Allison Willcox — Deputy Director, Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
Jessica Swanson — Manager, Accessibility, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Project Staff
Beth Ziebarth — Head Diversity Officer, Smithsonian Institution
Muna Shami — Director, Research and Evaluation, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Maryvonne Neputune — Director, Institutional Giving, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
Linda Kozma-Spytek — Consultant, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
Former Project Staff
Nathan Habon — Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University/The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
D1 Project Team – Deaf-Friendly Text-to-Speech
Project Leads
Christian Vogler, PhD — Professor, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University
Alex Perez, PhD — Machine Learning Scientist, AppTek
Project Staff
Jason Durek— Research Engineer, Technology Access Program, Gallaudet University
Katie Nguyen — SVP of Data Operations, AppTek
Mike Veronis — Program Manager, AppTek
Shela Atemnkeng — Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University
Paige DeVries — Graduate Assistant, Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University
Former Project Staff
Patrick Boudreault, PhD — Associate Professor, ASL Studies, Gallaudet University
D2 Project Team – Sign Language Technology Readiness
Project Leads
Naomi Caselli, PhD — Associate Professor, Deaf Education; Director, BU Deaf Center, Boston University
James Waller, PhD — Assistant Professor, Psychology and Accessible Human-Centered Computing and Policy, Gallaudet University
Project Staff
Jennifer Mankoff, PhD — Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington
Aashaka Desai — Doctoral Researcher, University of Washington