“Society can support the Deaf Community and the Black Deaf Community by making sure programs are accessible and inclusive. Invite Deaf people to serve on programs as well. Give them a voice in the decision-making process.”
- Dr. Carolyn McCaskill
My name is Donald V. Weyand Jr (pronounced WHY-and). I am a passionate Deaf leader and advocate committed to empowering the Deaf community and promoting inclusivity across organizational landscapes. With a strong foundation in American Sign Language (ASL) and a growing proficiency in English, I actively bridge communication gaps and foster connections with diverse audiences.
My academic focus at Central Michigan University is the intersection of Organizational Leadership and Disability Studies. While my major provides the framework for managing complex systems and teams, my minor in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion (DSCI) provides the essential lens of equity and accessibility that I believe every modern leader must possess.
Academic & Career Interests My path is driven by a goal to serve as a City Manager or in a leadership capacity within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). I am specifically interested in how municipal structures can evolve from simply meeting ADA "compliance" to fostering true community belonging. My background as an award-winning filmmaker and a long-term educator within the Deaf community has taught me that effective communication is the foundation of any successful organization.
Motivation for the DSCI Minor I chose the DSCI minor to gain a deeper, theoretical understanding of the social and medical models of disability. As a Deaf professional, I have spent my life navigating these systems. Still, this minor allows me to translate that lived experience into actionable policy. My motivation is to use this knowledge to:
Bridge the gap between local government and the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing communities.
Advocate for Effective Communication standards that are natively integrated into organizational workflows.
Prepare for professional certifications, including the ADA Coordinator Training Certification and the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).
By combining leadership theory with disability studies, I aim to lead organizations that prioritize accessibility not as a checklist, but as a core value.