Recipients of Our 2022 Deaf Community Leader Award

Sheri Ferinha (California)

Sheri has been actively involved with a multitude of causes benefiting the Deaf community, including telecommunications rights, civil rights and language rights for Deaf children. She also pioneered E911 access for Video Relay Service.

Christopher Johnson (District of Columbia)

Christopher has served as President of the District of Columbia Area Black Deaf Advocates since 2021. Through this organization, he focuses on addressing and improving areas that build and strengthen wealth, political influence and education opportunities within the Black Deaf community.

Dylan Heuer (Iowa)

Most Iowans who are Deaf know Dylan through his work with the Iowa Deaf Baseball Camp. He worked to start this camp several years ago and currently manages the camp for Deaf youth each summer. Always dedicated and enthusiastic, he supports Iowans who are Deaf with a friendly and approachable attitude.

Walker Estes (Louisiana)

Walker has been an active participant in many organizations for several years, including the Baton Rouge Association of the Deaf, Louisiana Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Greater New Orleans Association of the Deaf, Louisiana Association of the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, and Louisiana School for the Deaf Foundation.

Linda Stoltz (Maryland)

After she retired, Linda’s primary focus was to make the Maryland Deaf Community Center (MDCC) dream of the Frederick Deaf Community a reality. The goal of MDCC is to become a place where the members of the Deaf Community of Maryland will be able to access resources, socialize and get advice.

Ramona Rice (Utah)

Ramona is a strong advocate for several nonprofit organizations which serve people with disabilities. As a person who has Usher Syndrome, Ramona draws from her own experiences to advocate for and educate the DeafBlind community.

Jim House and Karen Philo-House (Washington)

Jim and Karen, a husband-and-wife team, are well known in Washington for their tireless and devoted commitment and involvement in the Deaf and DeafBlind communities. They are both very active in legislative advocacy for the community.