Deaf Interpreters

April Jackson-Woodard, name sign "A" on the middle of chin, is a Missouri native who now calls Maryland home. April was born and raised as a translator from a multigenerational Deaf family then became a professional Deaf Interpreter in 2018. April grew up in public school then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and minor in Fine Arts specializing in Theatre and Production at Gallaudet University in 2012. April specializes in the interpretations of Black American Sign Language (BASL), platform/conference, medical, legal, Tactile/ProTactile, International Sign and theatre settings - locally, nationally and internationally. During her special moments, April loves to exercise, travel, socialize and spend time with her two gorgeous Deaf children.

Rian Gayle is a uncertified Deaf Interpreter who has completed several DI training sessions. He has over 15 years of interpreting experience, spanning over multiple countries. Rian also has worked with International Sign Language, interpreting for people from a variety of countries using ISL. He is fluent in American Sign Language and Jamaican Sign Language. Rian is currently the Assistant Director of Access & Inclusion at the Office of Disability Services at Western Oregon University. He is a former advisor for the University’s Black Students Union and Disability Union. Rian also serves on the board of the Oregon Association of Higher Education and Disability (ORAHEAD) and is also on the Advisory board of the Telecommunication Device Access Program (TDAP) under Public Utility Commission. He graduated from Gallaudet University in 2010 with a Master Degree in International Development for Persons with Disabilities. Rian spends his time advocating for disability rights and social justice in Oregon and in Jamaica.

Regina Daniels is a full-time Program Director and Assistant Professor at North Central University in Minneapolis. As the program director and lead American Sign Language instructor in the Carlstrom Interpreter Training Program based at NCU, she thrives on developing creative, challenging yet fun methods of language instruction, working as ASL translation. She enjoys teaching students about sign language interpreting from a Deaf person’s perspective and helping them develop language competency. She has successfully received her PhD as of 2024!

Hoat! Sarah Young Bear-Brown/tti-ka-mi-ge-a is a member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa - the Meskwaki Nation. She currently resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She went to Iowa School for the Deaf and attended United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. She walks in two different worlds: as a Meskwaki and a Deaf woman. Sarah is currently Vice Chair for Native American Caucus for Iowa Democratic Party. She believes in Human Rights and has been an Activist/Advocate for the Indigenous Deaf Community since 2014. She was awarded for leader for Hamilton Relay in 2016. She founded “Gathering of Deafatives” for the Indigenous Deaf Community and is a member of the Deaf Poor People Campaign, while also advocating and protesting with the No DAPL (Dakota Access Pipeline) at Standing Rock, Line 3 in Minnesota and supporting the MMIW (Missing and Murdered of Indigenous Women) Movement. She works as an ASL storyteller, Deaf Interpreter, and motivational speaker. In September 2021, Sarah was invited to White House’s Roundtable for Native Disabled. She was included in the Native American 40 Under 40 as an Honoree for National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development for 2021. Sarah owns a small business called SAYBB Creations Beadwork and she has been creating beadwork for over two decades, starting at the age of 15. She is a 5th Generation beadworker, following her mother, Iowa Hall of Fame inductee Mary Young Bear’s path as a beadwork artist. Sarah is a mother of two young children. Ketebi.