DR. REBECCA DARDEN-PERRY
I help educators turn communication access into everyday practice—so more students can learn, participate, and belong.
Based in North Carolina · Available for remote collaboration
01 / MY STORY
Communication access is personal to me. It is also the foundation of my life’s work.
Born hard of hearing, I became deaf as my hearing progressively declined. I now have bilateral cochlear implants. Before being implanted, I was deaf for over ten years and relied solely on lip reading and sign language. That experience shapes how I listen to families, collaborate with educators, and think about what it means for a student to belong.
Over more than two decades, I have worked in classroom instruction, Deaf and hard-of-hearing education, DeafBlind education, exceptional children services, and program leadership. My work brings together research, practical instruction, and the knowledge that every learner communicates differently.
My doctoral research explored multimodal communication and socialization skills among individuals with CHARGE syndrome. Today, I help teams consider how language, visual supports, and intentional teaching can expand opportunities for students.
PhD in Education · MS in Education, Deaf/Hard of Hearing · Advanced studies in DeafBlind education · North Carolina Exceptional Children Program Administrator licensure
02 / WORK WITH ME
I work with schools, districts, and education teams to strengthen the ways students communicate and learn.
Specialized support for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind learners, grounded in each student’s communication and educational needs.
Training that connects inclusive principles to classroom decisions, everyday communication, and collaborative problem-solving.
Support for teams developing programs that bring access, instruction, staff capacity, and family collaboration together.
Remote consulting and short-term projects · Limited in-person work in North Carolina
IDEAS TO BRING TO YOUR TEAM
I have presented locally, nationally, and internationally on communication access, Deaf education, and inclusive instruction.
Invite me to speak03 / A VISION TAKING SHAPE
Two languages. One community.
Unlimited opportunities.
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A school envisioned around the possibility of learning together.
I founded Darden-Perry Academy to create an inclusive learning community where hearing, deaf, and hard-of-hearing students learn alongside one another through English and American Sign Language.
The proposed K–12 public charter school in Wilmington, North Carolina, brings an English academic foundation together with ASL learning and intentional connections between the languages.
In development · The proposed Academy is subject to charter approval.
Discuss an Academy partnership04 / LET’S CONNECT
Tell me a little about your school, team, or idea. We can start with a conversation about what you need.
executivedirector@dardenperryacademy.net