Who We Are
We are a group of educators, community leaders, and career industry partners who are passionate about empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to attain and sustain success in career and life as a positive contributing community member.
Our Mission
At CAE, our mission is to provide Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals with the necessary support and resources to help them succeed from birth and through their transition to adulthood. Join us in our mission to create a brighter future for all Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
Our Philosophy
Community Access and Empowerment was established in November 2023 to bridge the gap between Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals and essential resources. Through targeted programs, advocacy, and partnerships, we strive to foster a supportive community for Deaf and and Hard of Hearing Individuals.
Meet the Co-Founders
Katherine Reyes
Co-Founder/COO
Katherine Reyes is a Deaf educator who started off in Disability Studies, which led to more than 15 years of teaching experience with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students ranging from infants to adults. As Teach for America’s first Deaf intern, Katherine identified the cause of why so many within the DHH population fall into the lower socioeconomic class: the lack of an accessible, excellent education.
Katherine has experience working as an itinerant teacher as well as upper elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary. Katherine comes to every table with high expectations and the goal that all students will strive for excellence in whatever pursuit they aspire.
Katherine utilizes strategies and resources that are accessible and effective for the DHH learner, which she attributes to the success of her students. Katherine teaches high school students, a free community ASL class geared towards parents of the Deaf and consults with post-secondary young DHH adults.
Carly Davis
Co-Founder/CEO
Carly Davis has over 15 years of teaching DHH students from birth through post-secondary ages, Carly has been a steadfast advocate for DHH students and their families as they navigate their educational journeys and achieve their full potential.
Carly holds a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teaching Credential in California and a Preliminary Administrative Credential. She has earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and an American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) Rating of 4+ through Gallaudet University. Carly conducted research and wrote her master’s thesis on the impact of bilingual education as it relates to ASL and written English development within an upper-elementary age DHH classroom.
Carly’s deep commitment to the Deaf community is rooted in her belief that every student, given language access and a culturally competent support system, can thrive in life and a career of choice.