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Nic Zapko
Listen to what she has to say ! by Christina Douglas , a deaf St . Cloud State University Student
W
e all need someone like Nic in our Deaf communities .
Nic is from Scranton , Pennsylvania . She faced many barriers in her previous home state and decided to move to Minnesota . She found her true home here where she feels truly welcomed . Nic decided to advocate and educate other deaf and hard-of-hearing people to create better accessibility for themselves and others . Now a Deaf Interpreter and Deaf Mentor , Nic once worked as a dishwasher when she was younger . She wanted to be a busgirl but was not given this position because they doubted that she could communicate with customers . She accepted the dishwasher position then one day , a busboy called in sick and she asked to take over for him . Nic communicated with customers through hand gestures and body language . She found a way to break barriers during her job as a busgirl .
Nic eventually landed her dream job as a Deaf Interpreter and now works as a program manager for Sorenson Communications , advocating for the Deaf community in Minnesota . She handles all matters of communication and accessibility access in her company for the deaf and hardof-hearing .
I asked Nic what was the worst discrimination experience she has ever experienced . her answer was immediately , “ Airports . They are the most challenging barriers ".