Reel Impact How the Deaf Community Continues to Shape our Hearing World

Did you know that rearview mirrors, hand signals in baseball, and the football huddle were all inspired by the Deaf community? Reel-Impact, an engaging ReelAbilities Houston event, explored the lasting contributions of the Deaf community to technology, sports, and everyday life. M. Cody Francisco, a Deaf community leader and Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI), highlighted the often-overlooked ways Deaf culture has shaped innovations that benefit everyone.

The live event included a screening of Deaf Giants, a short film that examines the historical role of Deaf athletes and the broader impact of Deaf culture. This recorded webinar is a dynamic discussion and Q&A which followed the screening. This is an invitation to reflect on the unseen ways Deaf culture continues to shape the hearing world and encourage you to watch the short film, if you have not already.

Learning objectives:

• Identify key contributions of Deaf culture to technology, sports, and daily life.
• Recognize the historical impact of Deaf athletes.
• Reflect on how innovations inspired by the Deaf community benefit society as a whole.

Presenter:

Cody Francisco serves as the Director of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Department and Director of Proposals at MasterWord in Houston, Texas. With a rich background in deaf advocacy and interpretation, Cody also brings a wealth of expertise to his role as a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI).

His academic journey began at Oklahoma State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource: Organizational Development. Building upon this foundation, Cody pursued his passion for Deaf Studies and Counseling at the Rochester Institute of Technology, obtaining Bachelor’s in Social Work and Master’s in Multidisciplinary Studies, respectively.

Before joining MasterWord, Cody held pivotal leadership positions within prominent Video Relay Service providers and Interpreting Agencies. He also represented Region IV of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, demonstrating his commitment to advancing the field. Drawing from over two decades of industry experience, Cody has also contributed as an adjunct professor in Interpreter Training Programs across Oklahoma and Texas.

His dedication extends beyond the classroom, as Cody has provided extensive training in legal advocacy, Emergency Management, and Medical Interpreting, fostering effective communication solutions. Recognized for his proficiency, Cody has earned certification as a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID – Certification #49098).