board members
TANYA ARRIAGA Tanya Arriaga has been with DBCTX since 2017 and joined the Board in 2019. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and has a strong interest in mindfulness-based approaches to yoga. She is a certified instructor through the LIFT School of Acrobatics 200-hour program and Youga Yoga’s 200-hour certification. As a DeafBlind individual, Tanya has excelled in her practice by sharpening her other senses. Throughout her life, she has relied primarily on cues and body language, rather than hearing and vision, to navigate the world. She has developed expertise in alignment-based yoga, partner dynamics, and integrating the mind and body. Tanya teaches yoga to the public and also works closely with DeafBlind students. Her passion lies in helping individuals who have experienced stress by improving their relationships, enhancing their self-image, and fostering a sense of inner peace, completeness, and love. | TRESA BEARD Tresa Beard is a seasoned Freelance Sign Language and Protactile Interpreter. With over three decades of experience, she has worked in diverse settings, including universities, medical facilities, government agencies, legal courts, entertainment venues, and more. Tresa is committed to providing seamless communication access between Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and Hearing individuals. Her expertise extends to various sign language modalities, including American Sign Language and Protactile. Throughout her career, Tresa has held leadership roles, including Interpreter Coordinator and Director of Texas Interpreting Services. She has successfully managed teams, coordinated complex schedules, and implemented innovative programs to enhance communication access for marginalized communities. Tresa's dedication to her profession is evident in her numerous achievements and certifications. She is a Senior Court Interpreter and a Master Level Certified Interpreter in the state of Texas. Her strong work ethic, adaptability, and commitment to excellence make her a valuable asset to any team. | JEN BORLAND Jen has been a member of DBCTX since 2017, rarely missing an event. They are a passionate advocate for accessibility as a BEI Master Certified Sign Language Interpreter with a long and varied career, focusing on music and theater performance, post-secondary education, and DeafBlind services. Constantly trying to improve, Jen was in the first cohort for the DeafBlind Interpreting Institute, now called the Protactile Language Interpreting, through Western Oregon University in 2018. They are also a musician, writer, and artist. Their band, Bone Pilots, has recorded albums, created videos, and held performances all with accessibility in mind, providing language access in myriad ways. Within DBCTX, Jen has worked to create the Co-navigator Training Program, which supports all camps and social events by mentoring new service providers, creating a pathway for employment in the community. Jen also spearheads many of our annual social events and is constantly seeking collaboration within the community. Former president of the Austin Interpreters for the Deaf, Jen is no stranger to professional organization and support. As a social worker, Jen focused on supporting at-risk youth, specializing in populations with complex mental health disorders. They currently live in Round Rock with their partner and two mischievous dogs, and one day, they expect to write a book which features their supportive attitude and humanist philosophy. |
SARAH GOODWIN Sarah Goodwin is a dedicated educator and advocate for the DeafBlind community. With a Master's degree in Deaf Education/Deaf Studies from Lamar University and a Bachelor's degree from Wichita State University, Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work. As an Adjunct Instructor at Lone Star College, she teaches the "Working with DeafBlind Persons" course and introduces students to the DeafBlind community. Sarah is passionate about creating hands-on learning experiences and encouraging students to explore tactile communication methods. Beyond the classroom, Sarah actively contributes to the DeafBlind community through her work with DeafBlind of Community Texas. As a CoNavigator Coordinator and Accommodation and Transportation Coordinator, she provides essential support services to guests, ensuring their access to communication and activities. Sarah's commitment to empowering DeafBlind individuals is evident in her training of CoNavigators and her presentations on various topics related to DeafBlindness. | TODD HUSTON Todd Huston is a dedicated advocate for the DeafBlind community. As the father of a young adult who is DeafBlind, he is deeply committed to ensuring a bright future for individuals with this unique disability. A founding board member of DBCTX, Todd is passionate about connecting with others in the DeafBlind community, including professionals and families. Despite a demanding full-time job, he finds joy in building relationships and working towards a more inclusive world for all. | JACQUELINE IZAGUIRRE Texas is my home, and serving on the DBCTX board is an honor. My husband and I are blessed with three grown children and a wonderful daughter-in-law. Our daughter, who is DeafBlind, has taught us the true meaning of resilience and strength. As she navigates her journey, I'm proud to stand by her side and advocate with her and the entire DeafBlind community. My daughter’s journey and the other incredible individuals I meet in this community have inspired me to advocate for the entire DeafBlind community. This inspiration has led me to be involved with various organizations like DBSCA, NFABD, National DeafBlind Coalition, and National PLACE. All of these organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of DeafBlind individuals. |
HEATHER PAVEY Pavey is a professional independent consultant, educator, mentor, and presenter. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Prior work experience includes but is not limited to employment at University of Rochester Medical Center and Texas School for the Deaf. A proud Michigan native, Pavey is now a resident of Austin, Texas for over 16 years. She enjoys taking on a variety of education and mentoring opportunities. Pavey is also a well known massage therapist. She devotes her free time to co-hosting community events for DeafBlind inclusion. She enjoys spending time with loved ones, traveling, hiking, SUP, camping, and other indoor hobbies like crocheting, playing cards, and is also a budding artist. | SIDNEY SNOW Sidney Snow is a dedicated self-advocate and disability rights champion. With a passion for empowering individuals with disabilities, Sidney works closely with schools and organizations to ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations and support through their IEP processes. Sidney's professional experience includes roles as a Volunteer Technician at T.E.A.M Approach, where they assisted therapists and encouraged clients to participate in therapy sessions, as well as a Camp Staff member at Camp Blessing Texas, where they led activities and provided support to campers with disabilities. Sidney is the resident equinine activity/experiences coordinator. Sidney is DeafBlind with Cerebal Palsy and an avid para-equestrian who is gearing up to compete at both the national and international level and has a passion to make horses accessible to Deafblind and sable riders of any skill. Through their own experiences, Sidney offers valuable insights and guidance to others, serving as a role model and inspiration for children and adults with disabilities. | PATRICK VEILLA Patrick Vellia is a DeafBlind web developer and consultant passionate about accessibility. He's a dedicated athlete, having participated in various events like triathlons and open water swims. Patrick is actively involved in the DeafBlind community, serving on multiple boards and co-founding the DeafBlind Support and Access Network. He's committed to improving digital accessibility and empowering the DeafBlind community through technology. Patrick joined the DBCTX board in 2020. Currently, he's working as a catering cook at Target Field and pursuing a Cottage Food Producer license. Patrick has led cooking classes and treated us to his culinary creations over the years! |