Date: November 18th, 8pm to 9pm EST

Join CorpsTHAT’s panel discussing how the outdoor industry can be more inclusive to Deaf folks. We will have several different panelists who have participated in different outdoor programming, including but not limited to National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Outward Bound, Greenfield Community College’s Outdoor Leadership Program. 

During the one-hour-long panel discussion, we will be discussing the following topics: 

-Our experiences of being the only Deaf person on all hearing expeditions, 

– How risk management could look at Deaf gain as a positive influence for the industry,

– Technology and equipment modification and additions, 

-The benefits of doing an all Deaf expedition with Deaf instructors, and more.

Panelists Bios:

Lauren Sprague has always had an avid connection with nature ever since she was little. She loves to hike, rock climb, and go on any outdoor adventure. Lauren was on a week-long Outward Bound sailing trip when she was 15 years old. Back in 2015, she did the Outdoor Leadership Program at GreenField Community College (Greenfield, MA). She currently works with the land in Northern California for three years. 

Anthony DeMare is a lifelong outdoor and environmental enthusiast, as well as a lover of stories and jokes.  He has been camping and hiking with his family since his Boy Scout days.  He currently holds two degrees: a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Team Building from Gallaudet University, and a Master’s degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education from Alaska Pacific University.  His interests include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and reading.  

He has four NOLS experiences under his belt, including a 28 day backpacking trip in the Talkeenta Mountains of Alaska, and a summer internship on the NOLS Alaska branch.  His thesis focused on identifying barriers for Deaf access to the outdoors.  One of his other writings, a feedback article to NOLS outlining different ways to work with deaf people, was published in a 2018 NOLS staff newsletter.  His current goals include: climb a 14K peak, continue to foster Deaf access to the outdoors, and transition more fully into Outdoor Education as a career.  

Jessie “Rupert” Dubler: Studied Environmental Policy in college, Certified Wilderness First Responder (WFR-expired), participated in an extended NOLS Alaska backcountry expedition, and still turns to the great outdoors for renewal. A father and freelances as a CDI based out of Maryland in his spare time.

Thanks to REI for sponsoring the interpreting services for this webinar.