Dwayne Harris

Founder & Executive Director, Deaf Care Healthcare Initiative (DCHI)

Deaf Care Healthcare Initiative Founder and Executive Director Dwayne A. Harris is a nationally and internationally recognized Deaf advocate, professional sign language interpreter, healthcare accessibility pioneer, author, and inventor with more than 35 years of service to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Inspired by his lifelong connection to the Deaf community, including his oldest Deaf brother, Dwayne has dedicated his career to eliminating communication barriers and ensuring equal access to healthcare, education, and public services. His work has impacted thousands of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals across the United States and internationally.

As a healthcare innovator, Dwayne founded the groundbreaking Deaf Access Program (DAP) at University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, creating one of the first comprehensive healthcare access programs designed specifically for Deaf and Hard of Hearing patients. Due to the program's success, he was later recruited to establish a similar model at Mount Sinai Hospital, where he continued advancing equitable healthcare access and patient-centered communication services.

A certified Professional Sign Language Interpreter, Dwayne has spent decades advocating for language access, patient rights, disability inclusion, and culturally competent healthcare delivery. His expertise spans emergency medicine, mental health services, inpatient and outpatient care, medical interpreting, and healthcare systems development.

Dwayne is also the author of the inspirational book A Deaf Heart Story, which shares his personal journey, experiences within the Deaf community, and unwavering commitment to social justice and accessibility.

An accomplished inventor, Dwayne holds three patents focused on improving quality of life, safety, and accessibility. Among his innovations is the HG Mask, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the unique communication and accessibility challenges faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. The HG Mask combines multiple protective features into a single solution while supporting more inclusive communication environments.

Today, Dwayne leads the Deaf Care Healthcare Initiative (DCHI) in South Africa, a transformative initiative focused on improving healthcare accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals through technology, interpreter access, education, emergency services integration, and national healthcare partnerships. Under his leadership, DCHI is developing innovative solutions that align with South Africa's commitment to disability rights, language access, and inclusive healthcare.

Through advocacy, innovation, leadership, and service, Dwayne A. Harris continues to champion a future where Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals are fully included, respected, and empowered within healthcare systems and society.

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