Felecia Smith
Relay Manager - Virginia Relay
Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, she moved to Richmond, VA in 1999. She attended the JSRCC’s Interpreter Training Program and became an interpreter in 2006. During the first two years of her interpreting career, she worked as a sign language interpreter for Hanover School system before transitioning to work at Purple Communications in 2008. Shortly after joining Purple, she earned a National Interpreting Certification (NIC) and for 13 years performed in various roles as Interpreter, VRS Trainer, Center Supervisor, Center Manager and for the last 2 years, Regional Manager of Operations. As Regional Manager, she was responsible for the oversight of 7 centers in 4 different states on the east coast. She joined the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) in 2021 as the Relay Manager, overseeing both Virginia Relay as well as the Technology Assistance Program.
In her role as Relay Manager, she works to ensure that residents of Virginia who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard or Hearing or have difficulty speaking are able to communication over the phone in a manner that is functionally equivalent to residents without such disabilities. Part of this work includes trainings and presentations that equip organizations with the tools and resources needed to effectively recognize and process relay calls received through Virginia Relay as well as other relay providers. In her free time, she enjoys refurbishing furniture and working on various projects around her home.
Session Info
Friday
March 15
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Virginia Relay