CINCINNATI — Imagine coming into the world in complete silence.

That was Christopher D. Johnson's reality. 

What You Need To Know

  • Christopher D. Johnson is the assistant dean of Inclusive Excellence at the University of Cincinnati
  • He's the first Black, deaf academic administrator in UC's history
  • Johnson is spearheading a five-year inclusive excellence strategic plan at the university with a goal of increasing disability awareness

The Georgia native was born deaf and relied heavily on books to make sense of the world. He’s the only deaf person in his family.

Family isn’t just blood relatives for Johnson; it's those who make life easier for him daily like interpreters. They help give voice to the words that are difficult for him to say out loud, and that's how he shared his story with Spectrum News.

“I did feel hopeless because I did not know who I was as an individual. I was not able to advocate for my needs. I basically followed what the system expected of a deaf individual,” Johnson said. 

Adversity wouldn’t stop Johnson from reaching his goals. He’d go on to graduate with a degree from the University of West Georgia. Colleagues and peers would then encourage him to pursue a master’s degree, receiving that from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. There, he was exposed to American Sign Language for the first time. 

“I was overstimulated and overwhelmed by having access to visual communication and the information all around me. I was grateful to my peers that were patient with me and helped me learn,” Johnson said.  

Fast-forward to the present day, he’s now the assistant dean of Inclusive Excellence at the University of Cincinnati. He's the first Black, deaf academic administrator in the university’s history. 

The National Deaf Center estimates around 54% of deaf people are employed, compared to 70% of able-hearing people. Rates also differ across race, at just under 42% for African Americans. 

“I face racism, and I face audism simultaneously. It is a challenge," Johnson said. “My expectation coming in was that I wanted people to feel validated regardless of their identities or in tandem with their identities. I just want to remind people you are who you are.”

There are 12 independent living centers that serve individuals with disabilities in Ohio, including Independence Alliance in Cincinnati. Their mission is to empower those with disabilities to live meaningful and independent lives. 

Executive Director Rob Festenstein said seeing Johnson in his role is important for diversity and representation.

"He is setting an excellent example that people with disabilities have no barriers to gainful employment, successful employment, and working with their employers to make whatever accommodations are needed," said Festenstein.

Johnson is now spearheading a five-year inclusive excellence strategic plan at the university with a goal of increasing disability awareness. He said that starts with networking and building relationships both in and out of the classroom.

“Looking at the authors or the material that you use makes it more diverse, so each student that leaves the classroom can come from a critical thinking perspective and be problem solvers,” Johnson said.  

Although Johnson’s proud of what he’s accomplished, he said he hasn’t reached his pinnacle just yet.

Dean Johnson has been able to build quite a network of allies at UC and hopes to build a solid path for others like himself to follow. 

Independence Alliance said they’re required to have 51% of individuals with disabilities as part of their staff and governing board.