We hope you were able to join us in Baltimore and that you were able to feel the changes RID is actively working to implement now! A survey will be coming out soon, we want your feedback for future planning!
Information on the 2025 RID National Conference to be shared later this year!
2023 RID National Conference Schedule
Click below for more information:
CEU Earning Information at Conference
During each session where CEUs are available, the presenter will provide one or two attendance codes to attendees (in general, expect one attendance code per 1.5 hours of presentation time). Remember to make a note of the attendance code(s), as these will be required for the CEU claiming process. After the session is complete, you’ll need to enter the code(s) in the available field in the activity page in your Continuing Education Center (CEC) account to be able to access a certificate of completion for the activity. If you do not enter the activity code(s) for the activity and access a certificate of completion in CEC, we will not be able to process CEUs for you for the activity. We expect all attendees to comply with RID’s policies regarding claiming CEUs and do so ethically and honestly.
RID HQ staff will be on site if support with using the CEC system is needed, but will not provide any missed attendance codes from conference sessions.
QR codes will be available at each session and will link directly to the activity in your RID Continuing Education Center account so you can quickly and easily access the activity to enter the attendance code(s). To log in, please use your RID member ID number and your CEC password (note that it may be different from your RID member portal password!). If you’ve forgotten or are not sure what your CEC password is, please use the “Forgot Password” link to reset your password using the email address associated with your RID account.
CEUs will be added to members’ transcripts within the normal CEU processing time frame (60 days).
NOTE: Registering for a workshop on the conference app is simply used to add it to your schedule, it does not guarantee you a spot!
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023 | ||||
Time | Session Presenter(s) | Session Name | CEU Count | Schedule Notes |
8:00 – 9:00am | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
8:00 – 9:00am | RID Staff | First Timers Orientation | None | |
8:00 – 9:30am | Juliana Apfel | Ready to Talk About Gatekeeping? | 0.15 PS | |
8:00 – 9:30am | Derek Braun | Interpreting in STEM Higher Education and Research | 0.15 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | David Evans | Understanding alcoholism: Maybe you just drink too much? | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Rosemary Wanis & Su Kyong Isakson | CALI: Interpreting Strategies used with Deaf Immigrants | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Arlyn Anderson | Limbic Hijack: Managing strong emotions in critical settings | 0.3 PS | English |
8:15 – 11:15am | PDC Members | PDC Session – Training for CMP Sponsors Education Objectives | TBD | |
8:15am – 4:30pm | Andrea K Smith | Interpreting for Deaf Witnesses: Common Errors & Best Practices (Parts I & II) | 0.6 PS Legal | 8:15am – 11:15am; 1:30pm – 4:30pm |
9:15am – 4:30pm | Eileen M Forestal & Janis Cole | TAP into Translation: Thinking about Thinking (Parts I & II) | 0.5 PS | 9:15 AM – 11:15 AM; 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM |
9:45 – 10:45am | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
9:45 – 11:15am | DPI Panel | Difficult Conversations: Unpacking Perspectives of DPI Identity | 0.15 PS | |
9:45 – 11:15am | Nikki Cherry & Wanya Jefferson | Open Conversations for Allies: Dismantling Barriers to Increase the Number of BIPOC Interpreters | 0.15 PS | |
11:15am – 1:15pm | — | Lunch | N/A | |
11:45am – 1:15pm | DPI Member Section Leadership | DPI Member Section Meeting | None | Session occurs during lunch |
11:45am – 1:15pm | PDC Members | PDC Session – Understanding PPO CEUs (open to all RID members) |
0.15 (TBD) | Session occurs during lunch |
1:30 – 3:00pm | Jordan Wright & Kierstin Muroski | The Taboo Perceptions of Interpreters Working in Sexual Health Settings |
0.15 PS | |
1:30 – 4:30pm | Naomi Sheneman | Are you ready to crip your perspective of language use? Exploring Crip Linguistics in Interpreting |
0.3 PS-PPO | |
1:30 – 4:30pm | Judy Cain | Academic Language: How do DHH Kids Successfully Navigate the Academic Setting? |
0.3 PS | ASL & English |
1:30 – 4:30pm | Carly J. Flagg | The Grieving Interpreter: Self – Care and Working During Seasons of Sorrow |
0.3 PS | |
1:30 – 4:30pm | Parliamentarian and Motion – Makers | Prep Session for the Business Meeting: Parliamentary Procedures and Reviewing Conference Motions (open to all RID members) |
None | |
1:30 – 4:30pm | Nancy Berlove & Mary Jo Schwie Loughran | Introduction toPeace Circles | 0.3 (TBD) | Max: 20 participants |
3:15 – 4:45pm | Kellie Stewart | What Does Research Say?: Accepting or Declining Interpreting Assignments |
0.15 PS | |
3:15 – 4:45pm | Member Section Leadership | Member Section Meeting (pending) | N/A | |
5:00 – 6:30pm | Dr. Jeremy Brunson | Keynote | 0.1 PS | |
6:30 – 8:00pm | — | Dinner | N/A | |
8:00 – 10:00pm | RID Regions | RID Region Meetings | N/A |
THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2023 | ||||
Time | Session Presenter(s) | Session Name | CEU Count | Schedule Notes |
8:00 – 9:30am | Crystal Eusebio & Holly Pearson | Building Partnerships within the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Interpreter Communities | 0.15 PS | |
8:00 – 9:30am | Caitlin Ramsey Wolford & Kevin Dyels | Interpreters Supporting Interpreters | 0.15 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Carla Mathers | Logical Reasoning for Court Interpreters: Are you ready? | 0.3 PS Legal | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Dr. Tamar Jackson Nelson | Creating and Maintaining an Impartial Climate When Working With LGBTQI (and other marginalized) Consumers: Exploring the Interpreting Process Through a Social Justice Lens | 0.3 PS – PPO | |
8:15 – 11:15am | David Spiecker, Dr. Aileen Aldalur, Sara Blick – Nitko & Dr. Wyatte Hall | Working with Deaf Professionals: Considering Ethics,Institutional Conflicts, and Professional Interactions | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Laurie R. Reinhardt | Trust Formation and the Deaf Consumer: Evidence – based Applications for Practitioners | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Theresa Barker – Simms & Betty M. Colonomos | Deaf, Coda, and Hearing teams : Making it work from a Deaf – centric view | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Amanda Kennon & Laura Maddux Polhemus | Beyond the Spectrum: Neurodiversity in the Interpreting Profession – Exploration | 0.3 PS | |
8:30 – 9:30am | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
9:45 – 10:45am | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
9:45 – 11:15am | Dr. Suzette Garay, Renee Phillip & Joseph (LJ) Williams | Dear White Interpreters: Lessons, Reflection, Definitions: How We Can Hold Each Other Accountable to Stop Institutional Racism (BIPOC) | 0.15 PS – PPO | |
9:45 – 11:15am | Amy Williamson | The story behind the story: Perceptions of an interpreted education through the eyes of Deaf students and their Deaf parents | 0.15 PS | |
11:30am – 12:30pm | Paris McTizic & Tiffany Hill | Thursday Plenary Session | 0.1 PS | |
12:30 – 1:30pm | Lunch | Lunch | N/A | |
1:30 – 2:30pm | Business Meeting | Business Meeting Credentialing | N/A | |
2:30 – 5:30pm | Business Meeting – Day 1 | Business Meeting – Day 1 | N/A | |
5:30 – 8:00pm | Dinner Break/Block Party | Dinner Break/Block Party | N/A | |
6:00 – 9:00pm | Nancy Berlove & Mary Jo Schwie Loughran | Introduction to Peace Circles | 0.3 (TBD) | Max: 20 participants |
6:30 – 8:00pm | Drop In Opportunity: For Questions about Certification, CMP, EPS | N/A | ||
7:00 – 8:30pm | Dr. Suzette Garay, Renee Phillip & Joseph (LJ) Williams | Dear White Interpreters: Lessons, Reflection, Definitions: How We Can Hold Each Other Accountable to Stop Institutional Racism (White) | 0.15 PS – PPO | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Jeni Rodrigues | Unpacking “Effective” Communication in Healthcare: When Compliance Isn’t Enough. | 0.15 PS | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Poster Presenters | Poster Session | TBD | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Gloshanda Lawyer & Kenton Myers | Assessing Underrepresented Interpreting Communities in the US | 0.15 PS – PPO | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Panelists | Deaf & Interpreter: A Panel Discussion on Perspectives | 0.15 PS | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Nathan Fowler | Reflecting Conversational Dynamics: Show, Don’t Tell | 0.15 PS | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Amanda Kennon & Laura Maddux Polhemus | Beyond the Spectrum: Neurodiversity in the Interpreting Profession – Application | 0.15 PS | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Laurie Shaffer | Decision – making: Institutional Intrusion and Interpreter Agency | 0.15 PS | |
7:00 – 8:30pm | Melissa Mittelstaedt | Navigating Finances as a Freelancer: From Rough Waters to Smooth Sailing | 0.15 PS | |
8:30 – 10:00pm | Drag Bingo | Drag Bingo | N/A |
FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2023 | ||||
Time | Session Presenter(s) | Session Name | CEU Count | Schedule Notes |
8:00 – 8:45am | — | Business Meeting Credentialing | N/A | |
8:45 – 11:45am | — | Business Meeting – Day 2 | N/A | |
11:45am – 1:15pm | Lunch | Lunch | N/A | |
1:15 – 2:15pm | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
1:15 – 2:45pm | Christine Multra Kraft & Carrie Martin | Creating Systemic Change: Boosting Deaf – hearing interpreter teaming locally | 0.15 PS | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | Nathan Brown | Anti – Bigotry in Interpreting: Are You Ready to Act? | 0.3 PS – PPO | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | Rebecca (Becky) Stuckless | Choose Your Own Adventure: decisions, impacts, and new options | 0.3 PS | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | West Resendes & Andrea K Smith | What Legal Professionals Wish Interpreters Knew | 0.3 PS Legal | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | Dawn Duran & DeAnna Swope | Reducing harm through trauma – informed interpreting | 0.3 PS | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | Tarra Grammenos | The Reality of Suicide – What Interpreters Need to Know | 0.3 PS | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | Brent Tracy | Let’s Talk: A New Framework for Debriefing | 0.3 PS | |
1:15 – 4:15pm | David Evans & Barbara Spiecker | Interpreting educational numbers: Percent, place,position—math & science numbers | 0.3 PS | |
3:00 – 4:00pm | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
3:00 – 4:30pm | Rosemary Wanis | Deaf Interpreters in K – 12 Settings? #YES CAN! | 0.15 PS | |
4:45 – 5:45pm | BMC Mediators: Register Here to Attend! | Process Mediation Sessions with the Bilingual Mediation Center | 0.1 PS | Individualized Sessions |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Paris McTizic | Giving What It’s Supposed To Give: Strategies for providing ASL – English interpretation for Black cultural references | 0.15 PS | |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Kierstin Muroski | InterpNET: A New Website Database for the Field of Signed Language Interpreting | 0.15 PS | |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Andrea K Smith | RID Credentials: What’s in a Name? | 0.15 PS | |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Allison Jones | “Adaptive Sports and Deafness, Interpreting and Disability: Let’s Workout Inclusion, Diversity, and Demand.” | 0.15 PS | |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Dr. Carolyn Ball | Shining as an Affiliate Chapter Leader | 0.15 (TBD) | |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Member Section Leadership | Member Section Meeting (pending) | N/A | |
4:45 – 6:15pm | Nikki Cherry & Wayna Jefferson | Open Conversations for Allies: Dismantling Barriers to Increase the Number of BIPOC Interpreters | 0.15 PS | |
6:15 – 7:45pm | Dinner | Dinner | N/A | |
7:45 – 10:00pm | Performance and Talk Back | Performance and Talk Back | TBD |
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2023 | ||||
Time | Session Presenter(s) | Session Name | CEU Count | Schedule Notes |
8:00 – 9:30am | LIMS | LIMS Member Section Meeting | N/A | |
8:00 – 9:30am | Rosemary Wanis & Su Kyong Isakson | CALI: Resources for Interpreting Educators and Mentors | 0.15 PS | |
8:00 – 9:30am | Nicky Macias & Morgan Jericho | Cultural (In)equivalence, ASL Pronouns & Intersectional Representation: Recognizing the Impact of Interpreting Queer and Trans* Discourse | 0.15 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Deaf Caucus | Deaf Caucus Forum | TBD | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Colin Lualdi | When Work is Not Work: Interpreting Technical ASL | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Amber Burley Munnerlyn, Akilah Z Richardson & Crystal Stewart | Local Work National Impact? Cincinnati African American Black Interpreter Collaborative | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Kathy Goodson & David N.Evans | An Exploration of Affect: more than words – Affect in Communication | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Marty Taylor, Susan Brown, Emily Girardin, & Brenda Schick | School Interpreting: The Layering Complexities | 0.3 PS | |
8:15 – 11:15am | Deaf Caucus | Deaf Caucus Forum | TBD | |
9:45 – 11:15am | Kyle Duarte & Tiffany Hill | The Un – Agency: Reframing Interpreting Coordination Services for Equity | 0.15 (TBD) | |
9:45 – 11:15am | BLeGIT | BLeGIT Member Section Meeting | N/A | |
9:45 – 11:15am | Nathan Fowler & Mary Jo Schwie Loughran | Looking at the Supporting Team: What are we doing, and why? | 0.15 PS | |
11:30am – 12:30pm | Sam Sepah | Saturday Plenary Session | 0.1 PS | |
12:30 – 3:00pm | – – | Community Forum and Lunch | TBD | |
3:15 – 4:45pm | Marissa Rivera | Mixed – Race Children of Deaf Adults, A New Study on a Growing Population | 0.15 PS | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | Sarah Wheeler, Mona Mehrpour, Siavosh Hedyatiy & Ardavan Guity | “Learning About Iran: Cultural Competency for Interpreters” | 0.3 (TBD) | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | Dr. Royce M. Carpenter & Elisa Maroney | Let’s talk about race! | 0.3 (TBD) | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | Bee Gehman | Sexual Trauma – Informed Interpreting | 0.3 PS | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | Robin Shannon & Miako Villanueva | Scratching the Surface of Deaf/Hearing Platform Teaming | 0.3 PS | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | Betty M. Colonomos | The Big Myth: Language = Interpreting | 0.3 PS | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | David N. Evans & Kathy Goodson | An Exploration of Affect: more than words – Affect in Interpretation | 0.3 PS | |
3:15 – 6:15pm | Cameron Larson | The Psychedelic Renaissance: An Introduction to Interpreting in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy | 0.3 PS | |
4:45 – 6:45pm | Poster Presenters | Poster Session | TBD | |
5:00 – 6:30pm | Vernice Williams | Bridge the Gap: Old School vs New School | 0.15 PS | |
7:00 – 9:30pm | Rave – n with RID | Rave – n with RID | N/A |
SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023 | ||||
Time | Session Presenter(s) | Session Name | CEU Count | Schedule Notes |
8:00 – 9:30am | — | Closing Session | 0.15 PS | |
9:45am – 12:45pm | Dr. Naomi Sheneman & Bonnie Goben | Deaf Interpreter Specialization: Readying Yourself for Sight Translation Work | 0.3 PS | |
9:45am – 12:45pm | Deb Martinez | Consecutive Interpreting in Legal Settings | 0.3 PS Legal | |
9:45am – 12:45pm | Daniel Israilov | Medical Interpreting, Visual Vernacular Style | 0.3 PS | |
9:45am – 12:45pm | Anne Braun & Betty Colonomos | Mutually Beneficial Mentoring Relationships | 0.3 PS |
2023 RID Conference Exhibitors
List of Exhibitors to expect on the conference!
- Access Interpreting
- AIDB
- Allied Instruction Services
- AMN Healthcare
- Birnbaum Interpreting
- ContextGlobal, Inc
- Deaf Action Center
- Deaf Root
- Deaf Tax
- Eaton Interpreting
- Gallaudet Interpreting Services
- Interpret Educate Serve
- Interpreting Consolidated
- Linguabee
- MAIG
- MDORS
- NTID
- SignTalk Florida
- Sorenson
- Source Interpreting
- TIEM Center
- Translation Excellence
- Usked
- Vital Signs
- Z/Purple VRS
Exhibitor Viewing Hours | Wednesday, July 26 – Saturday, July 29: 9am-5pm |
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Read the Session Descriptions Below!
Justification Letter
Provide this letter to your employer to help cover costs of attending the RID conference.
Download the Letter Here
Seeking Roommates for the Conference?
Click below for more information:
Roommate Interest Form
Roommate Seekers List
Allison Jones

Allison Jones is formally categorized as severely disabled by her state and determined to be both legally and medically disabled. She was drawn to ASL because generational late-deafness runs in her family. She considers herself a “home grown” interpreter, as it was never a profession she envisioned without the encouragement of her local Deaf community. These days she does office duties, outreach, and interpreting; in-between mentorships, volunteering, and doing workshops as a newly qualified interpreter. She aspires to be Nationally Certified and a mentor for disabled interpreters like herself.
As an athletic competitor in the NWBA D-II, Allison wishes to see equal consideration given to environmental access when athletes with deafness participate in adaptive sports as the “standard.” Another goal is to mobilize an RID Members Section for minority interpreters that are disabled status. She believes this would have a positive cross-cultural impact for clients who are like minorities.
Nathan Brown

Nathan Brown is a Black nationally certified ASL Interpreter who has been in the field for over 15 years and is a native of San Diego and the deaf community. He is an interpreter educator and a Program Manager for Heritage Learning, Training and Development at Sorenson. Nathan is also a graduate student at Western Oregon University studying the intersection of race and interpreter education. His passion in interpreter education is working towards equity for students, deaf clients, and interpreters who come from historically marginalized backgrounds. When not serving the community in these roles, you can find him with his partner Eileen and children Brooke and Aubrey enjoying the sights and tastes of San Diego or wherever else their travels call them.
Amanda Kennon, MA, NIC

Amanda Kennon (she/her), MA, NIC and Dr. Laura Maddux Polhemus (she/her), PhD, NIC Advanced, BEI Advanced first met as freelance interpreters in the Metropolitan D.C. area. They kept in touch throughout several moves, then connected again when Laura was searching for help for one of her students who needed neurodivergent specific guidance. After Amanda offered input and agreed to mentor the student, she realized the need to start a broader conversation within the interpreting community about neurodivergence and interpreting. In addition to their lived experiences as neurodivergent individuals, Amanda and Laura have experience interpreting for neurodivergent consumers and are both parenting neurodivergent children. They are looking forward to discussing neurodiversity and furthering the discourse in the interpreting profession with you in order to better support our students, colleagues, and consumers.
Rosemary Wanis
Deb Martinez
Nicky Macias
Betty Colonomos

Betty M. Colonomos, currently serving as Director of the Bilingual Mediation Center, is a Heritage ASL signer. She has been teaching interpreting for over 45 years nationally and internationally. She was the second recipient of the Mary Stotler Award for excellence in Interpreter Education from CIT and, in September 2022, she received the CIT award for Excellence in Teaching. Betty has served on many national committees on standards and evaluation of interpreters and interpreter educators. She has developed the widely used model (Integrated Model of Interpreting – IMI) for teaching processes used in interpreting. Her current energies are focused on creating Communities of Reflective Practitioners and mentoring those who want to continue to elevate the interpreting field and provide quality services to Deaf and hearing communities.
Joseph (LJ) Williams

I was born and raised in Detroit Michigan. I enjoy working with Youth, specifically Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth with additional needs. I have worn various hats throughout my career that include Paraeducator, Case manager, Customer Service Agent, Deaf Mentor, ASL Teacher, Workshop Presenter, and Seminar Facilitator. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Deaf Education.
Kierstin Muroski
Andrea Smith
Siavosh Hedayati
Brent Tracy
He is motivated to address the strained climate in our ASL community by unpacking our cognitive processes; a powerful enemy of growth and collaboration. To support this initiative, he leverages his influence as CEO of Equal Access Resources Inc. on public and private platforms to galvanize stakeholders and foster honest dialogues.
Outside of work, Brent volunteers on several boards and committees including Deaf Inc., CASLI, and the DPI Member Section of RID. During his leisure time, he enjoys golfing, creating unique handmade bow ties for his business KnotTied and spending time with his lovely wife and 2 amazing children.”
Crystal Stewart

The Cincinnati African American/Black Interpreter Collaborative (CAABIC) has embarked on a journey of strategic planning, grant writing, workshop development and presentation skills within our membership with the assistance of local community resources. CAABIC will share our pitfalls in forming as an organization but more proudly we will share our success creating critical mass. CAABIC work has resulted in its members doubling the number of nationally certified AA/B Interpreters in Cincinnati, attaining high EIPA scores for Black Educational Interpreters, witnessing five members advance their degrees in education, and improve economic mobility for others. Cincinnati African American Black Interpreter Collaborative (CAABIC) has developed the skills in its membership to take up leadership positions within the profession. This kind of organization and success does not have to be isolated. We want to be a model for replication in other cities and municipalities. This presentation will assist to provide the research behind counter spaces, discuss ethical decision making and best practices in cultural competence, call in co-conspirators to leverage and uplift others, and assist participants in exploring where there may be opportunities to create counter spaces where they live, to identify resources within their community to promote and elevate Sign Language Interpreters of Color.
Daniel Israilov
Born in Kazakhstan, then moved to Israel at the age of nine. At dinner tables, he’d impersonate family members, cracking up jokes, and telling stories. At twenty-four, there were more platforms to express his art, and he did just that on his social media. The storytelling led him to his wife, whom he married in New York City.
The city that watered his artistic seeds. As he learned American Sign Language (ASL), he learned what he has been doing all along, is called Visual Vernacular (VV). He continued to immerse himself in telling stories in VV and doing stand up comedy. He was rich in knowledge: knowing four languages and understanding several cultures – it was time for him to deliver.
A year later, he performed at colleges, non-profit organizations, and poetry clubs with his VV stories. He competed at ASL Elements with various talented VV artists. He taught ASL at Sign Language Center, teaching students how to navigate the language. Eventually Daniel began creating content and started offering Visual Vernacular workshops to interpreters who wish to improve their work.
With the modality of his fingers, his facial expressions and his body movements, he could tell endless stories. “
Wanya Jefferson
Juliana Apfel
Marty Taylor
Robin Shannon
Robin and Miako have teamed together and taught together at the local, state, and national levels. They provide trainings through agencies and affiliate chapters, as well as workshops at conferences, on the topic of deaf/hearing teaming.
Janis Cole, PhD., RSC, CDI
Cameron Larson
West Resendes
Wyatte Hall
Sam Sepah

Sam Sepah has been a leader in organization management and accessibility technology for the last 17 years. At Google, he drives innovations in accessibility technologies and maintains research portfolios that are global in scale. Most importantly, he elevates product experiences for users with Deafness and other disabilities, bringing equity and an increase in quality of life to Google’s consumers. A tireless evangelist, Sam was instrumental in influencing Google to make products more inclusive. You can see the results of his impact on the following products and platforms: Android, Chrome, DayDream VR, Waymo, Google Glasses and YouTube.
Judy Cain, CI, Ed-K:12, MA

Judy, teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing 1984-2020 & RID certified since 2000, was recipient of Indiana’s first “Judith Carson Outstanding Educational Interpreter Award” and “2012 RID Region III Distinguished Educational Interpreter Award”; served on the RID Educational Interpreter Task Force (EITF), Affiliate Chapter Relations Committee (ACRC), Indiana EITF and Indiana Deaf Education Committee; served as president, vice president & secretary of Indiana RID; is passionate about quality interpreting services for Deaf/ Hard of Hearing students; Co-owner of C & C Connection, LLC, focusing on educational interpreters (training, skills evaluations & improvement plans). Judy & her husband, Gary, live in Indianapolis.”
Naomi Sheneman

Naomi Sheneman has been working professionally in the interpreting profession since 2000 in various roles. She is a consultant, researcher, educator, interpreter, and evaluator. She is the first deaf woman to receive a Ph.D. degree in Interpretation from Gallaudet University in 2018. She gives presentations and training both nationally and internationally, focusing on ethics, deaf interpreters’ work, power dynamics in interpretation, and medical interpreting. Her publications include a study on Deaf interpreters’ ethics, interpreting in international conferences, and power imbalances in interactions between deaf people and interpreters. Her most recent publication, John Benjamins Publishing Company, argued for the need for critical disability lenses in the interpretation and translation of both spoken and signed languages. In 2022, she received the “Excellence in Research” award from the Conference of Interpreter Trainers.
Laura Maddox Polhemus
Su Isakson
Tamar Jackson Nelson
Morgan Jericho
Bonnie Goben
Laurie R. Shaffer, Ph.D, CI & CT, NIC-A, EIPA 4.5

Laurie Shaffer has been a practicing ASL/English interpreter for over 30 years. She now is director in the ASL/English Interpreting degree program at University of New Hampshire-Manchester. She did her doctoral studies in interpretation and Translation at Gallaudet University, completing her degree in 2018. Her dissertation “In-Between: The Social Organization of American Sign Language-English Interpreters in the Medical Context” applies a unique sociological framework to the work interpreters do.
Caitlin Ramsey Wolford

Caitlin Ramsey Wolford, MA, NIC, (she/her) works as a freelance interpreter under her interpreting business Wolf Interpreting. Caitlin is also the Founder of CORE Interpreters, a nationwide mentorship program for sign language interpreters. Caitlin presents regularly on behalf of CORE. She also provides professional development training for interpreting agencies and interpreter training programs. In 2020, Caitlin published a book about mentorship and the CORE program called “”Interpreters Supporting Interpreters”” with her colleague, Katherine Perchik. When Caitlin is not working, you can find her hiking and gardening with her partner, Jason.
Caitlin and Kevin believe in supporting the next generation and mentorship is one approach to accomplishing that mission.
Jeremy Brunson
In 2017, he received a Fulbright Specialist post to Mongolia where he worked with a non-profit organization to improve access across Mongolia. He also provided training on power, privilege, and oppression in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and India. Dr. Brunson holds master’s degrees in Justice and Social Inquiry and Sociology from Arizona State University and Syracuse University, respectively. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies from Syracuse University, where he also earned his doctorate in Sociology. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in sociology and interpreting at a number of colleges, including Gallaudet University.”
Mona Mehrpour
Arlyn Anderson
Carla Mathers

Carla M. Mathers, Esquire, SC: L practiced law in Maryland and the District of Columbia for over twenty years. She currently is an independent consultant teaching legal interpreting. Ms. Mathers’ law degree is from Howard University School of Law. Ms. Mathers’ interpreting degree is from the College of Southern Idaho. She currently serves on the District of Columbia Courts Language Access Advisory Committee, and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Legal Interpreting Credential Task Force. Ms. Mathers sat on the Advisory Group for Language Access to develop standards for language access in courts for the American Bar Association. Ms. Mathers also sat on the Maryland Administrative Office of the Courts’ Advisory Committee on Interpreters Sub-committee on Ethics and Sub-committee on Testing and Training. She served as an adjunct instructor for the Gallaudet University Department of Interpretation. She served as Vice President for the Conference of Interpreter Trainers.
Marisa Rivera
Nikki Cherry, M.Ed., NIC (they/she)

Nikki Cherry (they/she) is a nationally certified ASL Interpreter and agency owner who promotes the inclusion of historically marginalized folx – specifically Black folx, Indigenous folx, People of Color, LGBTQIA folx, and disabled folx. Nikki currently resides in NW Arkansas, works with the RIT/NTID Deaf Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences Hub as Designated Interpreter/Access Coordinator, runs their agency Specialized Interpreting Services, and mentors interpreting students and less experienced interpreters.
Dawn Duran

Dawn Duran is an RID NIC Advanced, RID SC:L. She earned her B.S. in Human Development, focusing on Language Development from Brigham Young University. She has been interpreting since Jan. 1990. She was trained by the VERA institute in interpreting for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. She partnered with multiple agencies serving deaf survivors to provide training for interpreters in this field. She has been teaching on this topic for more than fifteen years. She served on the RID Professional Development Committee (PDC) for 11 years. She currently works full-time as the Chief Marketing Officer for ASL Communication.
Susan Brown
Miako Villanueva
Carolyn Ball
Tarra Grammenos, M.S., SC:L, NIC Advanced

Tarra Grammenos, M.S., SC:L, NIC Advanced, holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Graduate Certificate in Legal Interpreting, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology of Deviance, and Associates Degree in American Sign Language /English Interpreting. Born and raised in Minnesota, Tarra has been a freelance ASL/English interpreter for 15+ years. She enjoys traveling and presenting various workshops. She’s been heavily involved with her local MRID chapter as previous president, conference chair, and various committees. She resides in Minnesota with her partner, Patrick and their adorable chihuahua, Junior.
Kyle Duarte, PhD, Nic

Kyle Duarte (he/him) is the owner of The Kyle Duarte Company, a sign language interpreting and realtime captioning agency headquartered in Washington, DC, and providing services nationwide. Kyle holds a bachelor’s degree in product design from Stanford University, a master’s degree in linguistics from Gallaudet University, and a doctoral degree in computational linguistics from the University of South Brittany in France. Kyle brings LGBTQ+, Latinx descendant, and international cooperation perspectives to his work. When he is not interpreting, he enjoys traveling the world, discovering new wines, and tending the garden with his husband and guard cats.
Colin Lualdi
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Kathy Goodson

Kathy began her American Sign Language journey in Tampa, Florida and has been working as a sign language interpreter since 1996 beginning in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration in 1999/2000. In 2001, she graduated from California State University, Northridge with an Interdisciplinary Master’s degree including coursework from both Communication Studies and Linguistics. While Kathy has served as an adjunct faculty interpreter educator in a variety of colleges in Southern California, her passion is working with interpreters in a peer mediation setting. Continually practicing the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI), her theory of learning is shaped by Lev Vygotsky. She strives to create spaces that allow for authenticity, vulnerability, and passion for understanding the “why” behind the various decisions made by sign language interpreters. Kathy also actively works on unpacking her privilege. She strives to center those who have different multi-layered identities than she. In 1993, she married her husband and moved once more to Southern California. Kathy currently lives in Pomona with her husband and children.
Gloshanda Lawyer
Vernice Williams
Becky Stuckless
Christine Multra Kraft
Suzette Garay

Dr. Suzette Garay- is BIPOC Deaf and a third generational Latina(x) from South America, Nicaragua. She holds the following degrees: BA, MA. PSY.S, and a Ph.D. Her resume includes the following qualifications: 25+ years of direct teaching, evaluating, and mentoring with ASL/Interpreter students, working nationally-certified interpreters, and/or community Deaf members. She also has invaluable personal experiences and success teaching, evaluating, and mentoring with BIPOC students in Interpreter Education Programs.
Lisa Jucha
Kevin Dyels, CI, CT

Kevin Dyels is a full-time certified ASL interpreter for Sorenson Communications. He is also an owner of a performing arts interpreting company called First Chair Interpreted Productions which provides ASL interpreters for 150 performing arts events each year. He has held executive Board and managerial positions with interpreting private and nonprofit organizations throughout the country and commits to mentoring veteran and new interpreters in the interpreting profession.
Originally from northern California, Kevin presents interpreting workshops in theater, affect, team building, and self-confidence both nationally and internationally. He has traveled to India, Romania, Hong Kong, and South Africa with Quest Visual Theatre, a performance group that presents workshops and performances to deaf and hearing audiences around the world.
Kevin coordinates interpreters for various conferences and festivals throughout the year, works as a professional sound designer and disc jockey, and in his spare time enjoys international travel. Kevin has a degree in theater from the University of Maryland and is married to a partner from Hong Kong. They share a Grey Tuxedo kitty named Sylvestre.
Sarah Wheeler
Royce M. Carpenter
Amber Burley Munnerlyn
Nathan Fowler
Anne Braun

Anne has been practicing interpreting in the DC/ Maryland area since 1997. She currently works in government, community and VRS settings and is Co-Director of Resources at Deaf Access Solutions. Anne has an Bachelors degree in Special Education and a Masters Degree in Deaf Education. Anne was an adjunct professor in the Interpreter Training Program at Community College of Baltimore County for nine years teaching both theory and interpreting process/skills classes. Anne has extensive training and experience with the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI). Anne has been involved with the Etna Project for ten years. The Etna Project is a community of American Sign Language practitioners who meet several times a year to reflect on their work and how they can positively impact the field. These experiences have helped her gain a better sense of the interpreting process, her work and how to effectively work with mentees. She has mentored colleagues, both seasoned interpreters and those just entering the field, for the past twelve years.
Tiffany Hill
DeAnna Swope, MPA

DeAnna Swope is a leader and advocate in the Deaf community. She has a BA degree in both social and criminal justice as well as MA in public administration. She worked as the director of the Bridges program in GA serving survivors of domestic violence. In that position, She trained interpreters as well as other agencies about working with Deaf survivors. She currently works as the Senior program associate on Accessing Safety Initiative at Activating Change.
Emily Girardin
Bee Gehman
Amy Williamson
Jeni Rodrigues
David Spiecker
DPI Panel
That leads us to a difficult series of questions: Who is considered DPI? Who can identify as a Coda? How do DPI that can and cannot hear differ? How do these labels show up in our work?
During this session we will unpack perspectives and misnomers beyond a hearing, non-hearing binary framework with a panel of in-group members. We bring this difficult discussion to the table with the aim of gaining perspective and honoring differences to strengthen our alliances.
David Evans

David is a student and practitioner of the Integrated Model of Interpreting (IMI), which allows interpreters to view and analyze their work in holistic and non-evaluative terms, and is dedicated to the practice of reflective dialogue by attending the Etna Project: A Community of Reflective Practitioners since 2008. A nationally-certified practitioner providing ASL–English interpretation and translation services since 1987, David works extensively in conference and platform arenas, 12-step/recovery, performance, and community settings. Educating interpreters since 1991, David puts the “work” in workshop with sessions that are interactive, entertaining, and informative—striving to co-create inclusive, relaxed, and safe environments for all audiences. He tries to emulate a Vygotskian approach, and believes we learn best when we can engage in activities followed by reflective dialogue with others. He continues to develop his skills as a listener and reflective educator by attending and also assisting in training opportunities offered by Betty Colonomos and the Bilingual Mediation Center. David founded his company, Bridge Communications, in 1996 to further his goals of providing skill-building and video materials for interpreters. Accomplishments include presenting at two National Alliance of Black Interpreters (NAOBI) conferences, one National Association of the Deaf (NAD) conference, and five national RID conferences (once with a record attendance of over 1,250 participants in his session), numerous regional and state conferences, as well as local seminars and workshops. Raised in the Kansas City Deaf community, David now makes his home in Minneapolis with his kitty, Boober.
Kenton Myers, NIC, QMHI, ABICE, CHI™, CMI-Spanish, AL CCI, BEI Trilingual Advanced

Kenton Myers is a trilingual interpreter based out of Birmingham, Alabama. He is well known across the South for his leadership in the advancement of the interpretation and translation field. Kenton serves as president of the Interpreters and Translators Association of Alabama (ITAA), an organization composed of professionals working in over 12 languages, working to promote the profession, provide community education, and support continuing education for those working in the fields of interpretation and translation. Recognizing the need for more qualified interpreters, he has co-authored a 40-hour English/Spanish language healthcare interpreter training program to prepare individuals for national certification. Committed to holistic wellness, Kenton is also a Licensed Massage Therapist, Hispanic Outreach Wellness Instructor, and an IronTribe fanatic.
Crystal Eusebio
Crystal Eusebio, first generation Deaf Filipino-American with a passion for education, accessibility, inclusivity, and outreach. Her background in Higher-Ed and multiple teaching certifications, as well as a passion for data and analysis allows me to connect Deaf and hearing communities through both my work and my everyday life, and to generate ideas to make programs inclusive and accessible. Currently, she works at Screening and Evaluation Coordinator at MCDHH to ensure Screening program up and running. For her, Screening Redesign is a huge endeavor, and she is excited to transform the Screening to include the multicultural diverse Deaf and interpreter communities. During off hours, she teaches ASL, and she is involved with the Road to Deaf Interpreter (RDI) program. Recently, she completed her Yoga Teacher training and became certified Yoga Instructor. She hopes to make yoga accessible for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
Holly Pearson

As Deaf BIPOC, Holly Pearson, Workforce Development Coordinator and Crystal Eusebio, Screening and Evaluation Coordinator currently work at Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH). In both of our roles, our work is centered around structural changes for equity, justice, access, and diversity that aligns with the Deaf communities needs and values from an intersectional standpoint. Equitable communication access is not only about language access, but also about addressing different intersectional forms of oppression within the Deaf communities. We are also passionate about building and ensuring that the Deaf Communities have representation in the partnership and collaboration within our work.
Carrie Martin
Theresa Baker-Simms
Renee Phillips
Paris McTizic, MA, NIC

Paris McTizic is a skillful ASL/English interpreter based in the Washington metropolitan area. As the CEO and owner of The McTizic Interpreting Experience, LLC, he has established himself as a leader in the interpreting community and serves as a mentor to emerging sign language interpreters across the nation. Paris has extensive experience interpreting in various settings, including academia, government, video relay service, and even for NETFLIX. He is a passionate advocate for creating safe spaces and empowering communities of color, particularly Black and Brown Deaf people, and is committed to providing access to them for many years to come.
Barbara Spiecker, Ph.D.

Barbara Spiecker (she/her/hers) is a deaf marine ecologist at the University of New Hampshire who uses mathematical and statistical tools, coupled with experiments and field observations, to answer questions related to responses of marine communities to climate change and monitoring and management of marine habitats. She is a co-founder of a non-profit, Atomic Hands that focuses on making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engaging through ASL. We create videos covering varying STEM topics, give presentations and training on how to deliver STEM topics in ASL, and offer ASL-English translation services for anything STEM related. Barbara has also worked with state- and nationally-funded projects on developing STEM signs in ASL and state education departments to translate English-based standardized tests into ASL. She has a Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from Oregon State University, M.S. in Marine Biology from Northeastern University, and a B.S. in Biology from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Dr. Ardavan Guity, PhD (he/his)

A native of Tehran, Iran, Dr. Ardavan Guity is from a Deaf family and attended Deaf schools for primary, secondary, and tertiary education. Passionate about spreading awareness to Iranian Deaf youth about the richness of their sign language and culture, he served as a delegate to the 2011 World Federation of the Deaf Congress in South Africa. His research interests are development of an Esharani corpus, how people could interpret Esharani appropriately, lexical variation in Esharani, Esharani word order, and ethics of working with signing communities. He published two books, Deaf Culture and Language and An Introduction to Iranian Sign Language (Esharani). He continues to actively support Deaf communities in Iran and around the world. He gave different presentations about Esharani and related topics to audiences in the USA and internationally both online and in person. He has been an adjunct instructor teaching Deaf studies or linguistics at Gallaudet University since 2019.
Elisa M. Maroney

Professor Elisa M. Maroney completed her Ph.D. in Linguistics at the University of New Mexico in 2004. She has been a faculty member at Western Oregon University in the Division of Deaf Studies and Professional Studies since 1993. She co-coordinates the Interpreting Studies program and teaches undergraduate and graduate interpreting courses. She continues to interpret, consult, and teach workshops. She holds NIC, CI and CT, Ed:K-12, and ASLTA Certified. She served as a Commissioner on the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education from 2006 to 2015. She has collaborated with Ghanaian interpreter educators since 2015.
Akilah Z. Richardson

The Cincinnati African American/Black Interpreter Collaborative (CAABIC) has embarked on a journey of strategic planning, grant writing, workshop development and presentation skills within our membership with the assistance of local community resources. CAABIC will share our pitfalls in forming as an organization but more proudly we will share our success creating critical mass. CAABIC work has resulted in its members doubling the number of nationally certified AA/B Interpreters in Cincinnati, attaining high EIPA scores for Black Educational Interpreters, witnessing five members advance their degrees in education, and improve economic mobility for others. Cincinnati African American Black Interpreter Collaborative (CAABIC) has developed the skills in its membership to take up leadership positions within the profession. This kind of organization and success does not have to be isolated. We want to be a model for replication in other cities and municipalities. This presentation will assist to provide the research behind counter spaces, discuss ethical decision making and best practices in cultural competence, call in co-conspirators to leverage and uplift others, and assist participants in exploring where there may be opportunities to create counter spaces where they live, to identify resources within their community to promote and elevate Sign Language Interpreters of Color.
Mary Jo Schwie Loughran
Melissa Mittelstaedt

“Melissa Mittelstaedt, B.A., NIC-Advanced, is an ASL/English Interpreter who graduated from St. Paul College ITP in 2008. Her interpreting career has consisted of working in secondary & post-secondary educational settings, a Chemical Dependency program, as a Director of Sign Language Services, full-time freelancing, and currently, post-production digital interpreting.
She’s also an Accredited Financial Counselor® Candidate, aka a Money Coach. She launched MelissaMitt Financials in 2020 during the great pandemic pivot to help self-employed folks find organization and peace in their finances.
On a personal note, she’s a full-time RVer with her husband and cat and loves to be on the lake any time she can!”
Nancy Berlove
Nancy Berlove has been a certified interpreter for over 40 years. She worked mainly in legal settings for most of that time. In 1990, she and her husband set up Sign Language Connection, an interpreting company based in Rochester, NY. They sold it in 2021 and retired. In 2015, Nancy began working with Partners in Restorative Initiatives, PiRI, as a trainer and practitioner of restorative justice, and facilitated circles in the Rochester area. In 2021 she decided to train to become a Somatic Experience practitioner, focusing on trauma as it relates to the interpreting profession and life in general. She is currently in her second year in that program. She and MJ have shared responsibility of the Ethics Committee of the RID for the past 3 years. They are both enthusiastic about the use of Restorative Justice in resolving ethical conflicts and rebuilding communities.
Brenda Schick
Eileen Forestal
Carly Flagg
Dr. S. Jordan Wright , Ph.D.

Dr. Wright is a Critical Theorist, Health researcher, and director of the Deaf MetaLiteracy lab at Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. The Deaf MetaLiteracy Lab is housed within The Deaf Biomedical Science and Healthcare Hub, which focuses on three strands of inquiry: Health Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Cultural Literacy as they interact with the lives of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals. Dr. Wright has a strong interest in the intersectional experience of health and technology within the Deaf LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and presently runs three studies in the arena of sexual health. As a professor of Deaf Studies and literacy, Dr. Wright is a firm believer of bringing research to the classroom which allows students to engage in the world around them beyond the constructs of pedagogical theory. In his free time, Dr. Wright enjoys traveling, is an avid reader, and dad to two fur babies: Savior and Omega.
Dr. Kellie L. Stewart, Ed.D., M.Ed., CI and CT, CSC

Kellie Stewart has enjoyed a lengthy career as a professional ASL – English Interpreter, as well as an IEP educator within various programs teaching a wide variety of IEP courses over the past twenty-five years. In the past, Kellie has served in various leadership capacities in both RID and the Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT). Ethics has long been a passion which prompted her to seek her doctorate in education. Her dissertation research focused on how interpreters make decisions regarding whether to accept or decline an interpreting assignment. This decision plays a critical role in the potential for successful or unsuccessful interpreting interactions. Kellie currently lives in Greeley, Colorado.
Aileen Aldalur
Sara Blick
Register
Registration is now closed! You can view our daily rates to purchase on site HERE!
Thursday, Sunday Date Rate: $150
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday Day Rate: $200
2023 RID National Conference Schedule
Wednesday, July 26
- Keynote
- Sessions (workshops)
- Business Meeting Prep
- Regional Meetings
Thursday, July 27
- Sessions
- Plenary Session
- Business Meeting Part 1
- Block Party
- Drag Bingo
Friday, July 28
- Business Meeting Part 2
- Sessions
- Plenary Session
- Evening Activity TBD
Saturday, July 29
- Sessions
- Plenary
- Community Forum (open to public!)
- Rave-n with RID!
Sunday, July 30
- Sessions
- Closing Session
2023 RID National Conference Daily Registration Information
NOTE: The DAILY RATE registration price includes access to all workshops and evening/ticketed events on the selected date only.
Designed Days | On-site Rates Available for purchase July 25-29 |
---|---|
Daily Rate On-site – Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | $200 |
Daily Rate On-site – Thursday, Sunday | $150 |
Event | Ticket Purchase On-site |
---|---|
Saturday Night Event Guest Ticket | $85 *Ticket is for guests not registered for conference. |


Venue
The 2023 RID Conference will be held in Baltimore, MD at the HILTON BALTIMORE INNER HARBOR.
The RID hotel blocks have closed. You are welcome to contact the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor or the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards and make a reservation via their websites, or contact the hotels directly.
Conference Motions
Conference Motions are in. Submit a 2023 Conference motion HERE!
Take a look at the submitted Conference Motions!
Content received after May 17 – Motions considered “from the floor”

conference events
All the fun under the sun! Take a look below at the different things you can do while you’re staying in Baltimore, MD for the 2023 conference.

Block Party
Thursday, July 27, 2023 @ 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Come and join on the street for an exciting block party feasting delicious food from various food trucks! Mingle with multiple local Deaf-owned businesses showcasing their talents and products for sale. Cash bars will be available for refreshing drinks and complimentary S’mores dessert will be provided by RID. The Block Party is a terrific opportunity to socialize and this event will be equipped with fun activities to participate in.
Who will be there?



Proudly sponsored by Usked!

Drag Bingo
Thursday, July 27, 2023 @ 8:30pm
After the Block Party, join us for Drag Bingo!
This will be an exciting evening of Drag entertainment sponsored and hosted by BLeGIT. There will be prizes to win, cash bars, and lots of laughter!
Proudly sponsored by Access Interpreting!

VOCA Performance
Friday, July 28, 2023 @ 7:30-10pm
Join us at the 2023 RID National Conference for a powerful performance of “ISM” by Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA). This original production is conceived and directed by Michelle Banks and features Antines Davis, Tricia Wenda Alleyne, Alberto Sifuentes, Stella Antonio, and Mervin Primeaux-O’Bryant. This powerful group of BIPOC Deaf Storytellers will perform stories in ASL about their lived experiences of oppression and discrimination associated with words ending with “ism” such as racism, audism, genderism, and more.
Panel discussion will commence immediately after ISM performance for thought-provoking discussions. CEUs will be provided.
Cash bars will be available and sweet treats will be provided.

Rave'N Party
Saturday, July 27, 2023 @ 8:30pm
Dress to your best and get your dancing shoes ready for the Rave’n Party!
DJ Hear No Evil will be present to set the dance floor on fire with their incredible beats plus an unforgettable performance by the sensational entertainer, Harold Foxx! Keeping the energy high and the party going, our amazing emcee, Kriston Lee Pumphrey, will be your guide through the night, making sure every moment is filled with excitement and laughter.
Indulge in delectable food, sip on refreshing beverages from the cash bar, and fuel your energy for a night of non-stop fun and dancing! Plus, do not miss out on exciting giveaways and prizes drawing throughout the night, adding an extra layer of fun & surprises to this incredible event!

Baltimore Hunt
Welcome to Baltimore, MD!!! We are excited for you to be here with us this week for the RID Conference! Baltimore has a lot of exciting things to see and we have generated a short list as part of our “Baltimore Hunt”. This is an opportunity to check out these points of interest and see a little bit of Baltimore! Attendees who complete at least five points of interest on the list will qualify for five (5) additional entries in the drawings to win prizes. Drawing for these prizes will occur on Saturday night during the Rave’n event. Attendees have until Saturday, July 29 by 12 PM to submit their selfies! RID Conference attendees can benefit from checking out Crepe Crazy as they’re offering a 20% discount if you show your conference badge!
As part of the submission process, attendees would submit first & last name, email, RID ID number and selfies at the points of interest. Please click on the link below for more details and the points of interest to check out here in Baltimore!
Baltimore Hunt Submission Form
- Oriole Park at Camden Yard
- 333 W Camden St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- 2 minutes walk / 13 ft
- Edgar Allan Poe Gravesite
- 515 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- 8 minutes walk / .4 miles
- Lexington Market
- 112 N Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- 10 minutes walk / .4 miles
- Visit Baltimore Sign
- 501 Pier 3, Baltimore, MD 21202
- 15 minutes walk / .7 miles
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
- 830 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
- 19 minutes walk / .9 mile
- https://lewismuseum.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list ($12 tix for adults)
- Washington Monument @ Mt.Vernon
- 699 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
- 23 minutes walk / 1.0 miles
- Crepe Crazy (Deaf-owned business) 20% discount given if you show your conference badge!
- 1065 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21230
- 19 minutes walk / 1.1 miles
- Frederick Douglass Monument
- WB, Maritime Park, Baltimore, MD 21231
- 35 minutes walk / 1.7 miles

Prize Giveaway!
RID is doing a prize giveaway through a drawing for our conference attendee! Various prizes available to be won! Conference attendees would need to complete an electronic form to submit their first & last name, their RID ID number, and email address for the drawing. Attendees can only submit one form. If they want to increase their luck, then they can try their hand at the Baltimore Hunt for five (5) extra entries to be added to the drawing! The cut off time for entering the drawing will be on Saturday, July 29th at 12 PM. Try your luck to see if you get any awesome prizes! Submit your entry here.
Submit the electric form to be entered into the prize giveaway drawing!
Conference Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
- Workshops – Over 60 to choose from and the chance to earn close to 3.0 CEUs!
- Community Forum on Leadership.
- Two business meetings – open to all RID eligible members.
- Evening activities to network with your peers and make new friends!
- Access to exhibitors and the chance to support the Deaf Ecosystem.
- An opportunity to have a free headshot to be taken (more information on this at a later date.)
- Access to a conference app that will provide access to up-to-date information and schedules.
- Opportunity to network with your colleagues, peers and friends in Charm City!
Wednesday – Saturday at lunch, RID will have food carts – grab and go – available in the ballroom foyer for easy access for conference attendees. Options may include but are not limited to a salad or sandwich of the day for approximately $12 per item. Snacks may be provided.
Yes. Full conference tickets as well as daily rates will be available on-site.
Daily rate is only available on-site and is not available prior to the conference.
Presenters should review their contract for their specific terms.
For any questions related to conference presenter compensation, please email conferenceprogram@rid.org.
Please fill out the form here to request an Organizational Member group rate.
You should receive an auto-email with a receipt attached to it, upon registration.
You can also view your registration in your RID account.
Refund requests submitted by June 15 will have a $75 fee deducted from the refunded amount.
Requests submitted June 16 – July 15 will have a $150 fee deducted from the refunded amount.
No refunds will be issued after July 15.
Please email registration@rid.org regarding refunds.
Exceptions will be made for a positive COVID-19 test result confirmed by a medical professional within seven (7) days prior to the conference. Documentation must be submitted with your request.
RID follows COVID-19 safety protocols as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the local ordinances of the state of Maryland, which currently does not require proof of vaccination or masking. Should the mandates change, RID reserves the right to adjust conference attendance policies accordingly. Please be respectful to your fellow attendees who may or may not choose to wear a mask.
er the passed conference motion C2015.03, the official language of the 2023 RIDConference is American Sign Language (ASL). ASL interpretation will be provided for workshops/presentations which focus on spoken languages. The motion states:
“Move that the official language of Regional and National RID conferences be American Sign Language (ASL), and be it further moved that ASL interpretation will be provided at Regional and National RID conferences for workshops/presentations which focus on spoken languages, and be it further resolved that ASL as the official language begins with the 2016 Regional RID conferences.”
If you require reasonable accommodations per the Americans with DisabilitiesAct, to effectively participate in the 2023 RID National Conference, please contact us at conference@rid.org.
All accommodation requests must be made by June 15, 2023. If accommodation requests are made beyond June 15, 2023, RID cannot assure that the requested accommodation will be provided.
Yes, we will have fun at the conference!
Wednesday evening – Regional meetings: Spend time networking and planning with your regional colleagues!
Thursday evening – Block Party: This fun block party with the purpose of showcasing Deaf-owned businesses located in the Baltimore area! Join us on the street to enjoy specially vetted food truck food, including Deaf-owned food trucks/vendors, and business vendors showcasing their talents and products. Fun activities along with complimentary dessert will be provided by RID.
Thursday night – Drag Bingo: Look forward to an exciting evening of Drag entertainment sponsored and hosted by BLeGIT. There will be prizes, a cash bar, and lots of fun! Stay tuned for more details about the location of an after-party!
Friday night – Performance: Join us after your meal for a moving and thought-provoking performance of “ISMS” by VOCA – Visionaries of the Creative Arts. A cash bar will be available, and a yummy sweet treat will be provided.
Saturday night – Rave’N party: To wrap up the last night of our conference, join us for a lively Rave’N party you do not want to miss! Hors d’oeuvres will be provided, and cash bars will be available. There will be music by a Deaf DJ, dancing, entertainments, and fun interactive activities throughout the night. Come and celebrate with RID as we conclude the conference week!
A system of self-reporting will be in place for all Certified and Associate members.CEUs will be in your RID account within 60 days.
Casual business attire is appropriate for this conference. Every effort will be made to provide a comfortable learning environment; however, meeting room temperatures can fluctuate greatly and may be difficult to control. The temperature is often cool in the meeting room; therefore, a jacket or sweater is recommended.
As a friendly reminder, you are required to wear your badge at all official conference functions. For attendee safety, we recommend removing your badge when you leave the conference area.
Your first stop will be the conference registration desk, located on level two near the elevators. Stop here first to pick up your badge, registration materials and any last-minute conference updates!
Attendees who book in the block receive the following exclusive benefits:
- Competitively priced hotels.
- Just an elevator ride away from the conference.
- Peace of mind that you are booked in a pre-vetted, pre-negotiated room.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi included in your room rate and complimentary access to the hotel fitness center and pool areas.
RID contracts with hotels to keep costs as low as possible for you, the attendee.When we don’t meet our contract goals, RID is penalized and the result is that prices increase for you — which no one wants.
Blocking rooms also helps ensure you have easy, safe, convenient access to the conference, plus it ensures we are able to negotiate on your behalf, if there are any complications during your stay.
Make a hotel reservation for the dates you are able and then contact the hotel directly to edit your reservation.
After the conference you will receive a general conference survey via email. Your feedback is important to us and we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete the post conference survey.