North Central
HKNC Regional Network
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Contact Info:
Kacie Weldy (Regional Services Coordinator)
Voice/Text: 516-269-1233
kweldy@helenkeller.org
Scott Boyer (Administrative Assistant, Region 5)
sboyer@helenkeller.org
North Central Regional Services Coordinator Kacie Weldy
Our regional offices bring HKNC resources to you.
Your regional representative knows all about the programs and services that are available to DeafBlind individuals, their families and service providers in your state and beyond, and can help you find and access the ones that are right for you.
Whether you’re interested in learning about support services near your home, would like to take advantage of the technology available through the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program or want to explore the possibility of training at our national headquarters, your regional representative is your link to all that HKNC has to offer ─ consultation, advocacy, assessment, training, referrals and more.
Meet the representatives and specialists in your region.
Kacie Weldy
Regional Services Coordinator
Before joining HKNC, Kacie has been an active member of the DeafBlind and Service Dog communities of Indiana. She was a member of Indiana Interagency DeafBlind Task Force, served as an officer of the Indiana DeafBlind Association, and as a board member for the American Association of the DeafBlind. Kacie continues to be a voice for persons with disabilities within Indiana as the Chair of the Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council during her second term as a board member.
A proud DeafBlind individual with Usher Syndrome, Kacie identifies as a member of the DeafBlind community for nearly three decades. Kacie is passionate in working with DeafBlind persons and promoting person centered services, advocacy, and access to live and thrive in the community of choice.
Kacie has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership & Supervision from the Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis.
Kacie has found great satisfaction and fulfillment of working with HKNC in her role as a DeafBlind Employment Specialist for nearly 4 years and shall continue her long-standing collaborative relationship with Region 5 as the North Central Regional Services Coordinator.
Joann Rushing
Illinois DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Joann Rushing joined the HKNC team in 2020 as the DeafBlind Employment Specialist in Illinois. She provides one-on-one and group-based direct services to DeafBlind individuals, identifies service gaps and unmet needs of participants and provides information to HKNC regional representatives and community partners. She assists DeafBlind individuals and employers in the areas of vocational rehabilitation development through the Milestones contract with an emphasis on employment. Her responsibilities include job readiness training, development and placements, job retention and coaching services, assistive technology assessments, independent living skills training, and job soft skills training. She also advocates for individuals’ rights to make their own decisions and provides support for individuals to work and thrive in the communities of their choice.
Prior to joining HKNC, she served as the DeafBlind Outreach Program Director at the Chicago Lighthouse for 17 years. Joann worked with the employment department staff to provide support for DeafBlind individuals who were referred by Vocational Rehabilitation services. She also managed the iCanConnect program for nine years maintaining the database, providing telecommunications assessment, training for consumers on the use of technology, and troubleshooting to resolve issues related to technology.
Prior to working at the Chicago Lighthouse, she was the Program Coordinator for 12 years at Options Center for Independent Living in Bourbonnais, IL. She advocated for people with disabilities, especially for the Deaf community, provided independent living skills training, worked with community agencies setting up interpreting services, provided training to consumers on the use of TTYs provided through the ITAC program, as well as training her community 911 center on how to use the TTY.
In addition to her years of work experience, she is fluent in ASL and experienced in various alternative methods of DeafBlind communication. She has received professional training working with individuals who are DeafBlind from HKNC, including: Enhancing Services for Older Adults with Vision & Hearing Loss, Employment — The Ultimate Goal, The Magic of Technology, The Power of Independence — Technology for a DeafBlind World, and Telecommunications Equipment Training for Teaching DeafBlind Individuals.
Joann’s favorite motto to live by is THINK before you act: is it true, is it helpful, is it inspiring, is it necessary, is it kind?
Karlee Wascher
Michigan/Ohio DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Karlee Wascher is a DeafBlind Employment Specialist (DBS) serving Michigan and Ohio. In 2019, she completed her Masters in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and became a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. Upon completion of the degree, she began working at the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital located in Illinois. In November of 2019, she began employment with HKNC as a DeafBlind Employment Specialist in Michigan and Ohio.
She earned a Bachelors of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Northern Michigan University and a Masters of Arts in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy from Western Michigan University. She is very passionate about this field and helping others and is beyond thrilled to be a part of the HKNC team.
McKenna Liesman
Illinois Youth Services Coordinator
McKenna Liesman is HKNC’s Youth Services Coordinator (YSC) for Illinois. In this role, she provides pre-employment transition services (PTS) to individuals aged 14-22 years old with combined vision and hearing loss. As a YSC, McKenna can provide alternative communication strategies, attend IEP meetings, and connect DeafBlind students and their families to local, state, and national resources.
McKenna’s previous occupations include ASL/English Interpreter, Marketing Coordinator, Teacher, Box Office/Audience Manager and Segway Tour Guide. Her favorite job has been Consultant to the Accessibility Director with Red Theater Chicago-RTC, where she co-led Touch Tours, coordinated Interpreters, and managed closed caption nights and ASL interpreted shows. Bitten by the theatre bug at the young age of 11, McKenna has performed regionally as an actor, dancer, and multidisciplinary artist. Best-loved credits: Juliet in “R + J: The Vineyard” with Red Theater Chicago and Oracle Productions incorporating Deaf talent and American Sign Language, Sylvia in “Tribes” with The Playhouse San Antonio, and June in “Sanders Family Christmas” with Sierra Repertory Theatre of California.
McKenna graduated from Webster University Conservatory in St. Louis with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and earned a second B.A. degree from Columbia College Chicago in American Sign Language/English Interpretation. McKenna is thrilled to be a part of the HKNC mission!
Ask your regional representative about:
- The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
- Local services and referrals
- On-site assessment, consultation, and training
- Making connections with other individuals and families within the DeafBlind community
- Technical assistance and in-service training
- Plans for youth transitioning from educational programs to post-educational services
- Educational materials and presentations about the capabilities and preferences of people with combined vision and hearing loss
Local & Community Services
Are you interested in getting involved in the DeafBlind community in the North Central Region? Your regional representative can provide information about social gatherings, conferences, listservs and more. Check this space for announcements about upcoming events or contact your regional representative to request email notifications.