Southeast B
HKNC Regional Network
Kentucky, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee
Contact Info:
P.O. Box 380
Concord, GA 30206
Office: 516-393-7700
Marilyn Trader (Regional Representative)
Voice/VP: 919-585-5428
Mobile: 516-417-0038
mtrader@helenkeller.org
Janice Hanvey (Administrative Assistant)
Phone: 516-393-7733
Fax: 516-393-7597
Mobile: 516-350-1026
jhanvey@helenkeller.org
Regional Representative Marilyn Trader
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.
Marilyn Trader
Regional Representative
Marilyn Trader is the Southeast Regional Representative covering Kentucky, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Tennessee. Her experience related to this field includes acting as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for DeafBlind consumers under the Division of Services for the Blind in North Carolina and a Mental Health Social Worker for the Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind in North Carolina for 10 years under Wake County Mental Health Services. Prior to moving to North Carolina, she worked at Gallaudet University in the Graduate School Office, and as a lobbyist in Washington DC with guidance from staff at the university and across the country, presenting at universities all over the United States on cultural diversity inclusion programs.
Marilyn attended Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a concentration in Political Science. She attended Gallaudet University with a master’s degree in Social Work with a focus on the DeafBlind Community.
A goal of Region 4B is to continue to build capacity in each state through interagency collaboration, joint projects, events and new programs that consumers can obtain within their home state. Programs range from Support Service Providers to the expansion of field services to enable consumers to reach their goals.
Robert McLendon
Kentucky DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Robert McLendon has 26 years of experience working with individuals who are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind and with multiple disabilities in Alabama. His initial experience collaborating with HKNC was at the Southeast Transition Institute for Young Adults who are DeafBlind camps in Knoxville, TN and in Raleigh, NC. He has a master’s certification as a teacher of the visually impaired from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Robert was an educational specialist and has a master’s degree in Special Education from Jacksonville State University and a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.
At HKNC, he is serving as the DeafBlind Employment Specialist for Kentucky providing one-on-one services to consumers who are DeafBlind for the purpose of achieving their goals, such as but not limited to the list below:
- Consultation and collaboration with CRPs, providers and vocational rehabilitation services to provide the same successful outcome for our state consumers
- Career exploration, job development, job seeking, skills training
- Employer and on-the-job supports
- Collaboration with the state DeafBlind projects to provide transition services
- Pre-employment transition services
- Support for youth with work-based learning experiences
- Vocational consultation, work adjustment services
- Assist with the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
Stephanie Poppell
Tennessee DeafBlind Employment Specialist
Stephanie Poppell is HKNC’s new DeafBlind Employment Specialist in the South Eastern Region, Tennessee. Stephanie was raised in Florida and, while living in Orlando, worked for Disney World. After Orlando, she served a full-time mission for her church where she fell in love with ASL and the Deaf community in and around Portland, Oregon. After completing a mission, Stephanie attended Utah Valley University where she studied ASL and Deaf Studies. She graduated in December 2022. Some of her passions include hiking, swimming, and teaching Miles (her Border Collie who she adopted in 2019) new tricks. Stephanie’s dog keeps her active as her hiking and swimming buddy.
Local & Community Services
Are you interested in getting involved in the DeafBlind community in the Southeast B 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.
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