Veramarie Baldoza

For over 20 years, Veramarie Baldoza has been working in both interpreting and direct service to the Deaf and DeafBlind communities. She is currently a full-time staff interpreter at City Colleges of Chicago and is nationally certified. Many years ago, she did her graduate assistantship through Indiana School for the Deaf and graduated from Ball State University with a Master’s degree in Deaf Education and received her post-baccalaureate degree in ASL-English Interpreting from Indiana University / Purdue University in Indianapolis. Her final practicum was in connection with Columbia College in Chicago. Veramarie has worked in the Bay and Chicagoland areas specifically with grassroots advocacy, deafblind technology, and video relay. In the area of fine arts, she has collaborated with Steppenwolf, Goodman, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Veramarie was formerly the Member at Large from 2020-2023. In 2022, she completed the Illinois Master Mentor Program with TIEM Center and is currently the Acting President.

Priorities:
1. Revitalize IRID and align all its elements to be in compliance 
2. Outreach to Illinois organizations, ITPs, and resources with Deaf, DeafBlind, and HOH 
3. Support current ITP Students, Graduates, and New Interpreters with information about Illinois