Joanna Witulski

JOANNA WITULSKI  (jwitulski@everybodycounts.org)

“Our basic principal is that every person with a disability is capable of living

independently and as equally as everyone else. Denial of independence is denying

the human right of survival…being who you are, achieving goals with

accommodations, speaking your  mind and educating the public about working

with disabilities, allowing room for mistakes and protesting when justice

is not there.”

As Deaf Services Coordinator, Joanna has the opportunity to provide

community resources such as ASL classes, workshops for interpreters,

training for parents and other deaf-oriented workshops and activities.

In addition to working directly with deaf consumers on their

Issues or goals, she provides support to other organizations dedicated

to providing, maintaining and advocating the independence and awareness

of deaf culture, ASL and community.

Joanna has also initiated several special projects, such as the Eye on Fire

Safety Project, Signing Kids of NWI and the ‘All for One’ conference for deaf consumers and interpreters.

“I enjoy meeting with people, brainstorming, seeing things accomplished,

sharing frustration with others and finding different perspectives as to

 how we can work together to educate and improve our communities

and bring ‘new life’ to the people.”

She originally joined the staff four years ago as a Counselor/Advocate.

Before that, her employment experience included work at the Westchester

and Gallaudet libraries, day camp counselor at the Duneland Y, a printing

bindery and medical microfilming company.  In 2005 she graduated from

Indiana University Northwest with a B.A. in General Studies.

Joanna is a member of Northwest Indiana Deaf Club, the Indiana

Association of the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, Signing Kids

of NWI and ADAPT Indiana.

She and her husband Don live in Merrillville with their furry friends.

They’re all looking forward to the new baby due at the end of the summer.