Doug Dittfurth, MEd has over 45 years experience working in the field of deafness/hearing loss.  His areas of expertise include public school education, adult habilitation/rehabilitation, interpreting, counseling (including chemical dependency), interpreter training, consulting, advocacy/training on communication access mandates, awareness of assistive technology options in both independent living/employment situations and with newborns/infants - early identification and intervention services.

Doug is husband to Leslie Solis Dittfurth; father to two sons (Hans and Heath); step-father to two sons (Russell and Ross) and grandfather (Dado) to three great kids; Cora, Graham and Danielle (Dani); two toddlers, Paxton. and Leia; and infant, Electra (Ele)..  After thirteen years as Outreach Development Specialist with the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TCDHH) and its replacement state agency, he moved to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in 2013.  At DSHS, he led the agency's newborn hearing screening, tracking and referral for intervention program which is known as TEHDI (Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) for almost six years before leaving the state as his employer..  In regards to services scope, TEHDI is the second largest program in the world. with only Great Britain having a larger program. Below is a listing of his work experience, education, service, presentations and professional activities..
Experience
deSign and Consulting Services - Austin, Texas
Owner/Consultant/Interpreter, 1999 - Present
Provides interpreting/consulting services, interpreting skill enhancement workshops in the Austin area, throughout the state and nation. Provides advocacy for equal access and training with companies on ways for them to render such for their customers and employees who are deaf/hard of hearing.. Provides  limited forensic psychological and neuropsychological testing, report writing and follow-up for a few psychologists/psychiatrists in Bexar and Travis counties with their clients/patients who are deaf/hard of hearing.  Provides grant peer reviews for the Rehabilitation Services Administration for entities seeking federal funding to expand and/or implement demonstration projects in the areas of independent living and/or rehabilitation services provision for persons with disabilities.                                       
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) - Austin, Texas
Coordinator, Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI) Continuum of Care., 2013 to 2019
Oversaw the Newborn Hearing Screening Program’s Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Continuum of Care to ensure all the state’s 1,175 (on average) daily births have hearing screens were reported timely into the state’s management information system for appropriate follow-up and referral for next points of care, if indicated. Worked with the over 260 birthing facilities (birthing centers, hospitals, and children’s hospitals with obstetrical and/or neonatal departments) on their newborn hearing screening programs to ensure implementation of best practices.. Also worked with other key stakeholders to reduce loss to follow-up and loss to documentation to ensure statute requirements and best practices were followed. Managed Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants to implement pilot programs and specialized services for families of newborns who are deaf/hard of hearing and infants who acquired late onset hearing loss due to risk factors present at birth/medications given during neonatal services and/or subsequent to an illness to obtain their fullest potential.
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)/Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) - Austin, Texas
Outreach Development Specialist, 1999 to 2013
Implemented and directed a system of 27 Resource Specialists throughout the state to coordinate and enhance service provision to persons who are deaf/hard of hearing.  This included development and implementation of methodology, including policies and procedures, for reaching consumers who were not receiving appropriate and applicable services from federal, state, county, city, public and private programming.  Development and implementation of plans through numerous work-groups to assist service providers in upgrading their service delivery system to persons who are deaf/hard of hearing was also an integral component.  In addition, provided liaison services to all state agencies, served as the agency’s ombudsmen/consumer satisfaction representative, and as agency representative, sat on various interpreter training program advisory boards and state advisory boards that supported the education of students who are deaf/hard of hearing, birth – 21.  From 2005 – 2011, coordinated special projects and outreach efforts to improve the state’s early hearing detection and intervention system in partnership with other state agencies and community partners.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center of San Antonio – San Antonio, Texas
Founding Executive Director, 1995 to 1999
Founded, sought funding and directed original programs of DHHC, a 501 3(c) non-profit entity to help fill the gaps of services needed by persons who were deaf/severely hard of hearing.  Upon move to Austin in 1999, sought-out and trained replacement Executive Director to continue the Center’s work.  In 2001, the Board decided to merge the work of the Center with CSD and was then known as CSD – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Center.
Services by Vital Signs, Inc. - San Antonio, Texas
Consultant/Counselor/Interpreter/Owner-Operator, 1992 to 1999
Provided adjunct assistance in curriculum development, contract/grant proposal writing, instruction of sign language/interpreter training and community interpreting on part-time basis until joining the company on a full-time basis in 1995.  At that time oversaw general operations of the company as well as provided consulting services in the areas of interpreter mentoring and employment/transitional services with city/rural school districts/area employee assistance programs for students/employees who were deaf/hard of hearing.  Forensic psychological/neuro-psychological testing, report writing and follow-up services provided to several psychologists/psychiatrists with their clients/patients who were deaf/hard of hearing.  Authored numerous state proposals and managed several state contracts for services to persons who were deaf/hard of hearing and interpreter training.  Provided grant peer reviews for the Rehabilitation Services Administration for entities seeking federal funding to expand and/or implement demonstration projects in the areas of independent living and/or rehabilitation services provision for persons with disabilities.
Methodist Mission Home - San Antonio, Texas
Director, Southwest Center for the Hearing Impaired, 1988 - 1995
Oversaw independent living and employment services program for adults who were deaf/hard of hearing with secondary/tertiary disabilities which had complicated their process of obtaining self-sufficiency and independence;  Composed grant proposals, managed funded proposals and maintained current public relation materials to fund on-going programs as well as new programming.  The facility-based program grew from 29 clients to more than 60.  A caseload of an additional 40 clients were also served through a community-based model begun with funding assistance from a demonstration project grant from the United States Department of Education/Rehabilitation Services Administration.  Authored and managed several federal and state demonstration proposals/grants in the area of rehabilitation and independent living.
Texas Rehabilitation Commission - Houston, Texas
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, 1981 to 1988
Counseling and guidance provided to a caseload of more than 100 individuals who qualified for services following federal and state mandates.  After  federal  cuts  in 1982, worked  with  the  administration of  Lee  College in  nearby  Baytown to  transition a  previously federally funded project (1969 - 1982) into a college managed academic and technical training program which provided counseling, guidance, interpreting and note taking services for students who were deaf/hard of hearing.
Wichita Falls Independent School District - Wichita Falls, Texas
Teacher/Educator, 1977 to 1981
Designed and implemented the following programs for deaf/hard of hearing students: secondary program at intermediate level, itinerant program, infant/parent training program and secondary program at high school level.  Each program was successful with replacement staff hired to carry on program goals as another program began.
Certificates/Licenses
Texas Teaching Certificate, Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Learning Disabled - 1977
Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf (TSID) General Skills Interpreting Certificate - 1981
Texas Board of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Aids - 1983
Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Level III Certification – 1983/1998/2003/2008/2012/2017
Texas Department of Health, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor – 1998
Texas Department of Health, Licensed Professional Counselor - 1999
Texas Board for Evaluation of Interpreters, Court Interpreter Certification – 2001/2006/2012/2017
Education
University of Texas/San Antonio, Texas
Post Graduate Studies:  Public Administration, 1998 - 1999
University of Minnesota/Minneapolis, Minnesota
Post Graduate Studies:  Chemical Dependency Counseling for Persons who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, 1997
Gallaudet University/Washington, District of Columbia
Post Graduate Studies:  PACE (Planning Adult and Community Education) Program, 1991
Midwestern State University/Wichita Falls, Texas
Master of Education - Counseling and Master of Education - Psycho-metrics, 1981
Texas Christian University/Ft. Worth, Texas
Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts - Habilitation of the Deaf,  Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts - Audiology, Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts - Speech/Language Pathology; with minors in Learning Disabilities and English, 1977
Acknowledgments
Texas Hands & Voices - Guide By Your Side Champion, November 2015
TAD Presidential Award Recipient – Texas Association of the Deaf, July 2013
TSID President’s Award Recipient - Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf, June 2012
ADARA Boyce R. Williams Award Recipient – Organization's highest award in recognition of contributions with persons who are deaf/hard of hearing, April 2011
Service
Texas Hands & Voices - Board Member/October 2019 - Present
Deaf Dreams – Board Member/June 2019 – Present
Deaf Television Foundation – Member/March 2015 – February 2018
EHDI – PALS (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention - Pediatric Audiology Links to Services) National Advisory Group – Member/September 2013 - Present
Texas Deaf/Hard of Hearing Leadership Council: Birth to 3 – Member/2007 to Present
American Foundation of Elderly Deaf - Board of Directors/October 2000 – Present; Secretary/Treasurer October 2003 – Present
Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf Foundation – Member/February 2005 – August 2009
Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf - Advisory Council Member/June 2003 – August 2009
State Independent Living Council - Governor Appointment – Board Member/November 2001 – March 2004
Austin City Planning Council - Mayor Appointment – Member/May 2000 – November 2002
Professional Associations
     Current
ADARA – Vice President (2008 – 2011), Treasurer (2013 to 2015), Member (1980 – Present)
Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf – Communications Committee Chair (2010 – 2013), Member (1977 – Present)
Texas Association of the Deaf – Member (1991 – Present)
     Previous
Austin Interpreters for the Deaf – President (2000 – 2002), Past President (2014 – 2016), Member (1999 – 2016)
Directors of Speech and Hearing in State Health and Welfare Agencies – Member (2013 – 2019)
Greater Houston Interpreters for the Deaf – Member (1981 – 1988)
National Association of the Deaf – Member (1991 – 2011)
North Central Texas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf – Member 1975 - 1976
Red River Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf – President (1978 – 1981), Member (1977 – 1981)
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf – Member (2000 – 2013)
San Antonio Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf – Member (1988 – 1999)
Trinity Valley Interpreters for the Deaf – Charter Member/Member (1976 – 1978)
 Publications
“Air-Force One: A Study on Incidental Learning,” The Endeavor, 2016
“My Mother, My Interpreter – NOT” - PEPNET/Rehabilitation Services Administration/Gallaudet University, 2015
“Air-Force One: A Study on Incidental Learning,” The Deaf Texan, 2013
“Air-Force One: A Study on Incidental Learning,” InterpreTexan, 2012
“Air-Force One: A Study on Incidental Learning,” ADARA Update, 2011
“Befriending the Foe: Advocating Techniques for Equal Access,” ADARA Update, 2009
Presentations/Professional Activities (National and State Level)
Co-Presenter, National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Meeting, San Diego, CA, Parent Resource Letter, March 2016
Co-Presenter, National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Meeting, Louisville, KY, More Than a Branding Iron:  Certifying Newborn Hearing Screening Programs, March 2015
Co-Presenter, National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Meeting, Louisville, KY, Mensuration:  Key to Corralling EHDI Data, March 2015
Co-Presenter, National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Meeting, Jacksonville, FL, How to Date the NANI, April 2014
Presenter, Texas Association of Higher Education and Disabilities Conference, Lubbock, TX “Getting Your School and Students Ready for Waiver Changes from SB1210,” March 2014
Presenter, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Addison, TX   “No Hard of Hearing Left Behind (NHHLB)” June 2013
Presenter, Texas Transitional Conference, Austin, TX   “During and After High School:  The Quest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services” February 2013
Presenter, Texas RehabAction Network Conference, San Antonio, TX “Planning for/Achieving Successful Deaf and Hard of Hearing Job Placements” September 2012
Presenter, Texas RehabAction Network Conference, Galveston, TX “Serving the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Offender” September 2011
Presenter, Region IV/Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Omaha, NE “Issues Interpreting in Mental Health Settings"  August 2010 
Presenter, Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf (TAPED) Statewide Conference, Fort Worth, TX “Interpreting Psychological Assessments” July 2010
Presenter, Texas Society Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, San Antonio, TX “The Deafness/Hearing Loss Psychological Battery with DARS/DRS” April 2010 
Presenter, Texas Transition Conference, Austin, TX   “Effective Transitioning – Best Practices” April 2009
Presenter, Deaf Adolescent Conference, St. Louis, MO, “My Mother, My Interpreter – NOT!”  April 2008
Plenary Speaker, Texas AHEAD Conference, San Antonio, TX “Serving Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing” April 2008
Presenter, American Association of Physician Assistants Conference, San Antonio, TX “Serving Patients who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing” September 2008
Presenter, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf/Region IV Combined Conference, Houston, TX “Triage to OR: The Medical Interpreting Experience” June 2008
Interpreter Coordinator, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Irving, TX, May 2007
Presenter, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Irving, TX “Knowing the ADA and other Civil Rights Laws” April 2007
Chair, Statewide Mental Health and Deafness Conference, Austin, TX November 2006
Co-Presenter, National Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference, Salt Lake City, UT “Finding Lost EHDI Babies: The Answer May be Right in Front of You” March 2007
Presenter, Texas AHEAD Conference, Austin, Texas “How TCDHH Can Help You Serve Your Students Better” April 2005
Chair, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Austin, Texas – April 2005
Presenter, Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf Conference, Ft. Worth, TX “How to Interpretx2 Psychological Tests” July 2004
Presenter, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Dallas, TX “Tune-up Your Signs: An Introduction to Musical Interpreting” March 2004
Interpreter Coordinator, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Dallas, TX June 2003
Presenter, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Dallas, TX “How to Interpretx2 – Psychological Tests” June 2003
Presenter, National Educational Interpreter Conference, San Antonio, TX “What Every Educational Interpreter Should Know about the ADA” August 2002
Interpreter Coordinator, National Educational Interpreter Conference, San Antonio, TX August 2002
Presenter, Texas Association of the Deaf Conference, Kerrville, TX “Get Knowledge and Advocacy from Your RS” September 2001
Peer Reviewer, Rehabilitation Services Administration/Grants and Projects, Washington, D.C. August 2001
Interpreter Coordinator, Texas Society of Interpreters for the Deaf Conference, Corpus Christi, Texas April 2001
Peer Reviewer, Rehabilitation Services Administration/Grants and Projects, Washington, D.C. April 2000
Presenter, Texas AHEAD Conference, Denton, TX “Applying the ADA in Regards to Deafness and Hearing Loss” November 1999
Presenter, Texas Association of the Deaf Conference, Port Aransas, TX “TCDHH: How Can It Help You” October 1999
Interpreter, National Association of the Deaf Conference, San Antonio, TX July 1998
Interpreter, Alamo Street Theatre -“The Glass Menagerie,” San Antonio, TX August 1997
Interpreter, Alamo Street Theatre - “The Survival of Kitty McDowell,” San Antonio, TX February 1997
Presenter, Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Houston, TX “Serving the Family with Deafness” January 1997
Interpreter, Alamo Street Theatre - “Quaint, We Ain’t,” San Antonio, TX December 1996
Peer Reviewer, Rehabilitation Services Administration/Grants and Projects, Washington, DC April 1996
Conference Chair, Mental Health and Deafness Conference, Austin, TX April 1996
Interpreter, Billy Joel/Elton John Concert, San Antonio, TX September 1994
‘Presenter, Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf Conference, Ft. Worth, TX “SCHI: Serving Lower Functioning Students” August 1994
Interpreter, Eagles - Hell Freezes Over Concert, San Antonio, TX July 1994
Presenter, Mental Health Services for Persons Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing Conference “Serving Lower Functioning Deaf Adults with Mental Issues” August 1993
Trainer, International Institute on Deafness, Johannesburg, South Africa “Independence CAN!”July/August 1993
Interpreter Coordinator, National Deaf Hispanic Conference, San Antonio, TX November 1992
Presenter, Southeast Regional Institute on Deafness, Atlanta, GA “SCHI: Achieving Independence” September 1992
Interpreter, National Association of the Deaf Conference, Denver, CO - July 1992
Presenter, National Association of the Deaf Conference, Denver, CO “SCHI: Achieving Independence” July 1992
Presenter, American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association Conference, San Francisco, CA “SCHI: Achieving Independence “ May 1992
Interpreter, National Deaf Senior Citizens Conference, Austin, TX - April 1992
Peer Reviewer, Rehabilitation Services Administration/Grants and Projects, Washington, D.C. - March 1992
Presenter, American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association Conference, New York, NY “SCHI: Learning to be Independent” May 1992
Presenter, Northern Illinois University/Research and Training Center Fall Symposium, DeKalb, IL”SCHI: Model Programming for Lower Functioning Deaf Adults” September 1991
Keynote Speaker, Texas Deafblind Association Biennial Conference, San Antonio, TX “What We Have Experienced, What We Can Expect” June 1991
Presenter, Region VI Independent Living Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA “SCHI: Model Program for Teaching Independence in Employment and Life” June 1991
Presenter, Texas Association of Parents and Educators of the Deaf Conference, Houston, TX “Unit Syndrome – Don’t Do This to Your Students” August 1990

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