Board of Commissioners for the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf was established in 1980 through Revised Statute 46:2351, and moved within the Louisiana Department of Health in 2010, to function as the program and principal agency of the state providing leadership, services, and programs to promote and support communication access to information for individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing, and their families.

The Board of Commissioners for the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf was redefined in legislation in 2022 as a separate and distinct entity from the Commission program. The Board’s purpose is to support the work of the Commission and to advocate on behalf of Louisiana’s d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities and their families.

Learn more about the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf by visiting their website.

Responsibilities of the Board of Commissioners

  • Identify and recommend changes to state laws, policies, and regulations.

  • Support the work of the Commission by making recommendations regarding programs, policies, procedures, regulations, rules, and criteria.

  • To advocate for the general welfare, needs, and rights of individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing through education, advising, informing, and promoting relevant laws, policies, and practices that support the eradication of barriers and discrimination.

  • Assess statewide systems of care and support.

  • Partner with organizations to leverage support and involvement for improving the lives and opportunities of individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing.

Goals and Priorities of the Board of Commissioners

  • Identify challenges and develop strategies to reduce barriers and to promote access to public and private services.

  • Recommend tactics for promoting healthcare access for individuals who are d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing.

  • Establish minimum qualification standards and oversight of the Louisiana sign language interpreter workforce. Administer registration requirements for all sign language interpreters on the Louisiana Interpreter Registry (opens in a new tab).

  • Support the quality and quantity of sign language interpreters working in Louisiana through a statewide mentorship program.

  • Collect data and develop and implement program improvement plans for community-based services.

  • Support community-driven leadership through programs and supports that educate and empower individuals to participate in policy and program decision-making.

Membership

The Board of Commissioners consists of 17 members, with seven appointed by the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation, as outlined in the statute. To apply or nominate someone for a seat on this commission, please email [email protected].

Member Name Member Seat
Brandy Bordelon Deaf Representative
Jerrod Wingate Deaf Representative
Sherry Crosby Louisiana Association of the Deaf – Vice Chair
Dr. Ashley Argrave Professional Representative – Secretary
Senator Caleb Kleinpeter Senate Designee
Liam Doyle Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs
Cammy Gaspar Parent of a Child who is Deaf
Dr. Shirley Lewis – Interim Special School District Superintendent
Leslie Knowles Louisiana Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Brad Wellons Speaker of the House of Representatives Designee
Dr. Megan Wimberly DeafBlind Representative
Marissa Ramos Professional Representative
Dr. Lauren Wells- Interim Department of Education Designee
Melissa Bayham Louisiana Workforce Commission Designee
Bethany Blackson Department of Health Designee
Vacant Office of Behavioral Health Desginee
Vacant Hard of Hearing Representative
Vacant Department of Children and Family Services Designee

Meeting Information: Schedules, Minutes, and Agendas

The Board of Commissioners is required to hold at least four regular meetings each year, as stated in Louisiana R.S. 46:2352.

Sign language interpreters and live captioning will be provided at each public meeting. Presenters, members, and guests may submit requests for additional accessibility and accommodations prior to a scheduled meeting. Please submit a request to [email protected] at least one week prior to the meeting with details of the requested accommodations.

If you attend a public meeting, help us ensure our meetings are fully accessible by sharing your meeting experience with the Public Meeting Accessibility Comment Form.

Meeting Schedule

  • January 16, 2026: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
  • May 29, 2026: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
  • July 17, 2026: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
  • October 16, 2026: Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
2025 Meetings
2024 Meetings
2023 Meetings
2022 Meetings

Interpreter Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule

The Board of Commissioners voted to create the Interpreter Ad Hoc Committee to define the objectives, goals, qualifications, and membership criteria for the Interpreting Advisory Committee.

For more information, contact the Bureau of Family Health Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Board of Commissioners Facilitator:

[email protected]
Acting Executive Director for the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf

Surgeon General Evelyn Griffin, MD

Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein

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