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Debbie Mohney, Chair
- Contact Info
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Boulder, Colorado
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represents the Hard of Hearing Community
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Term expires June 30, 2014
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Debbie has been hard of hearing all of her life, with a high frequency
hearing loss. She serves as the Colorado State Coordinator for Hearing Loss Association of America (formerly SHHH). As a liaison in Colorado for InsightCinema, she keeps moviegoers up to date on current open-captioned movie showings, and advocates for more theater locations and captioned showings. Hard of Hearing people face their own communication challenges, as many are not deaf or hearing, but somewhere in between. They need the best information they can get about hearing aids, cochlear implant technology, assistive listening devices, captioning, and the list go on. Debbie is a strong advocate for the hard of hearing, and she believes in educating all people about hearing loss, technology, access, and skills for living with hearing loss. |
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Leslie Ralphe, Vice-Chair
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
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represents the Late-Deafened Community
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Term expires June 30, 2012
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| Leslie is an adjunct English professor at Pikes Peak Community College. Leslie holds a Bachelor Arts degree from the University of Virginia, a Masters of Fine Arts from Washington University in St. Louis, and an Associates degree from the Interpreter Preparation Program at Pikes Peak Community College. She values her connections to the deaf and hard of hearing community in Colorado Springs. She also has the perspective of knowing the frustrations and challenges of communicating with a hearing loss due to developing Meniere's syndrome as a teenager. Leslie and her husband, Greg, enjoy hiking with their dogs. They have two children, Amelia and Nathan, both at the University of Colorado in Boulder. |
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Shelly Strickfaden, Secretary
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Morrison, Colorado
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represents the Parent Community
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Term expires June 30, 2012
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| Shelley Hanson Strickfaden lives in Morrison in the foothills of Colorado. Shelley has two sons; Evan is 6 and is Hard of Hearing, Birk is 4 and hearing. She began her journey when they discovered Evan’s hearing loss at six months of age and has since been absorbed in learning ASL, understanding ASL/English bilingualism, Deafblind services and technology and attending Deaf and Hard of Hearing preschools, programs and activities. She is currently the President of the Board of Directors of Hands & Voices Colorado, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing non-biased information and support to families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. She is also involved with Rocky Mountain Deaf School as a parent coordinator and is an advocate for the rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. Ms. Strickfaden currently works as a Director for a consultancy firm based in Washington DC negotiating Hotel Contracts with Fortune 500 companies. She hopes to bring some of her business acumen to the commission. Her 'get it done' attitude and enlightened perspective as a parent have been a great asset to every activity she engages in. |
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Kirk Neuroth
- Contact Info
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Denver, Colorado
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represents the Interpreter Community
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Term expires June 30, 2014
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| Kirk, a resident of Denver, is very familiar with the work of the Commission. Kirk received a B.A. in English Literature from Wheaton College and is a graduate of Front Range Community College, where he received a degree in ASL/English Interpreting. Kirk is a certified Interpreter and is active in the profession with the Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. He is a very involved community member who will bring interpreting issues and concerns to the attention of the Commission. |
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Jennifer Peterson
- Contact Info
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Arvada, Colorado
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represents the Public
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Term expires June 30, 2012
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| Jennifer was a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor with the Division of Rehabilitation under the Department of Human Services and is currently working as a mental health therapist at the Mental Health Center of Denver. She has served on the Commission Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force, an important system-level advocacy effort that the Commission is embracing, and will remain in this capacity with the Implementation Team. Jennifer also serves as board president of Dove, which provides advocacy for abused deaf and hard of hearing women and children, in Denver. She graduated from Gallaudet University with a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2004 and lives in Arvada. |
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Nicki Runge
- Contact Info
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Greeley, Colorado
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represents the Deaf Community
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Term expires June 30, 2014
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Nicki is a freelance Director of Theater. Nicki has worked extensively in the theater, and has taught cast members American Sign Language. Nicki attended St. John’s International School in Waterloo, Belgium, and received a B.A. degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Her international outlook, cultural interests and Northern Colorado roots will prove to be an asset to the Commission. She resides in Greeley.
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Barbara Jenkins
- Contact Info
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Centennial, Colorado
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represents the Professional Community
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Term Expires June 30, 2012
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| Barbara is a board certified doctor of audiology and has over 20 years of experience working with hearing loss. She is involved with Sertoma and is a co-founder of Mexico’s first school for deaf children. The school has a USA affiliate program, The Tehuacan project, to provide funding for hearing aids and other supplies. She also works with the Coalition for the Homeless, heading the hearing program division of the health fair for homeless and needy children in Denver. She lives in Centennial and enjoys hiking, biking and roller blading. She has two grown daughters and a killer mini dachshund. |
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