About Us

Our Story

Connecticut Hands & Voices is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2011. Our mission is to empower families of D/deaf and hard of hearing children by offering inclusive and unbiased support, regardless of communication methods or approaches. As a parent-led organization, we are committed to equipping families with the resources, connections, and knowledge necessary to ensure their children’s access to communication and enhance their educational success. Through meaningful outreach, strategic collaborations, and passionate advocacy, we empower children and their families to unlock their fullest potential.

Our Team

Mikaela Zito

Mikaela is the mother to three children, two of whom are hard of hearing (one caused by Usher syndrome). Her family uses spoken language and ASL. Her passion lies in promoting educational access and equipping parents with the confidence, tools, and resources to advocate for their child(ren). Mikaela also serves as the CT Ambassador for the Usher Syndrome Coalition and collaborates with organizations across the state to promote awareness of the needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind children. Professionally, Mikaela juggles work at a consulting firm and with boutique meeting & event companies, including her own business.

Luisa Soboleski

Vice-President
lsoboleski@cthandsandvoices.org

Luisa is a third-generation deaf and a mom to two deaf adults with three deaf grandchildren and a CODA grandson. Not only is she is one of the founding members of Connecticut Hands & Voices, she also serves on the board of directions for the national Hands & Voices. After her retirement as an Administrator at the American School for the Deaf, she became an advocate and parent representative in many different organizations such as Connecticut Association of the Deaf (as its President), EHDI and DeafBlind. Collaborating among organizations serving deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals has been her biggest goal and she consistently promotes legislative efforts that would ensure better services for this community.

Stephanie Daniel

Treasurer
sdaniel@cthandsandvoices.org
Born and raised in Connecticut, Stephanie is the proud mom of two kids, including a son with hearing loss who wears hearing aids, uses spoken language as his primary form of communication, and is actively learning ASL. After returning to the state in 2023, Stephanie sought a community for her son and family, which connected her to the Connecticut chapter of Hands & Voices. Living on the Connecticut shoreline with her husband and family, she channels her passion into championing access and support for the D/deaf community, always striving to foster equitable understanding, inclusion, and belonging. In her professional life, Stephanie serves as a Senior Manager of Grants & Implementation for a national nonprofit organization.

Heather Perkins

Secretary
hello@cthandsandvoices.org
Heather McCormack Perkins has been serving on the CT Hands & Voices board since 2019. She is the mom of three hearing teenagers and serves on the board as a professional in the field, with a passion to support families of deaf and hard of hearing children. Heather has been a Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) for over 25 years in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. She has taught in various settings including schools for the deaf, outreach programs, and Birth to Three early intervention. Currently she is the district TOD for a local public school district, where she serves students of all ages and communication needs. Heather believes strongly in supporting parents and families, and enjoys being part of the CT Hands and Voices team!

Torri Ann Woodruff

Communications Director
twoodruff@cthandsandvoices.org
Torri Ann Woodruff-Gautherin received her PhD in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences from the University of Connecticut in 2022. She has conducted research implementing both qualitative and quantitative methods to look at drivers behind access to early intervention for children who are D/deaf and Hard of hearing. She is passionate about language access across all modalities. It is her honor to serve as a professional member of the CT Hands & Voices board! In her free time, Torri Ann enjoys hiking with her family and trying allergy safe baked goods with her husband, daughter, and service dog!

Nellie Nosche

Board Member

Nellie is deeply rooted in the Deaf and hard of hearing community— she, her husband, and their four wonderful children are all Deaf. Her children attend the American School for the Deaf, where Nellie also teaches high school English Language Arts. Being part of this vibrant community is central to her identity as both a parent and an educator. Nellie is passionate about fostering inclusive, supportive environments where Deaf and hard of hearing individuals can thrive. She is thrilled to serve on the CT Hands & Voices board, driven by her belief in the power of connection, advocacy, and education to uplift and empower the community she loves.

Joanne Colton

HQ Liaison

Joanne lives in Norwich with her husband and two children. She joined the board to support others with deaf/hard of hearing children. Joanne loves meeting with other families and allowing her son to interact with other children like him. During her downtime, she enjoys swimming and camping with her family.

Ingrid Bedinotti

Board Member

Ingrid

Liza Alers