Ann Black

Ann had the goal of writing a book, documenting
-her journey into the world of Usher’s Syndrome and DeafBlindness,
-her treasured years as a student at Gallaudet College and the Helen Keller National Center,
-her careers as a school teacher and vocational rehabilitation counselor
-her advocacy for the DeafBlind community.

Although she had saved records from those milestone experiences, she ultimately wrote only one chapter. The title she had chosen for her book was...


“Lightswitch”
by Ann C. Black

I was born hard of hearing on March 16, 1941. The doctor gave my mother quinine to speed up labor, which caused my hearing loss. No one in my family has hearing loss. I went to a Reinhardt School for the hearing impaired to learn speech and language with other hard of hearing children. My mother was not happy with my progress. So she pulled me out and enrolled me in Adams School in Washington DC. In the morning I had speech and language class with a wonderful teacher. In the afternoon I was mainstreamed in the hearing classroom. I learned to lipread and recognize words with my hearing aid.

When I was five years old I met Helen Keller with Anne Sullivan. Helen Keller put her hand on top of my head. I looked into her eyes; they looked different. I watch her hand movements with Anne Sullivan. They look different!

After Anne stopped moving her hands, she told me that she could not see or hear. Then Helen Keller said, “Pretty girl, you! Blond curly hair.” Then she hugged me. It was an awesome experience for me and a day to remember. Later I found out that she was a famous person who travelled to education the public the importance of education for DeafBlind children and adults.

Then I was transferred Linnbrook Elementary School in Maryland, to be close to my home. I had a great teacher there, too.

Then I attended Western Jr High School in 7th and 8th Grade. My history teacher got me interested in running for student council.

All along I was interested in playing with people’s hair, and I wanted to become a hair dresser. I went to Wheaton High School which had a good cosmetology program. I was very busy studying and had limited for a social life.

During my senior year, my wonderful science teacher, Mr. Hall, who had a brother who taught at Gallaudet, approached me after one class me saying, “Ann, you would be a good deaf teacher.”

I said, “Me? A deaf teacher?”

He went on to tell me about Gallaudet College where I could get a good education and become a teacher.

I had never heard about Gallaudet before.

I ran home to tell my mother, “I want to visit Gallaudet.”

She asked, “Who told you?”

I said, “My science teacher.”

So we made an appointment to visit Gallaudet, where I met Dr. Fascina, who later established NTID in Rochester, NY. It was a very interesting meeting. He explained about Deaf culture and Hearing culture. He said I grew up in Hearing culture. He recommended that I attend Maryland School for the Deaf in Frederick and learn Sign Language.

I attended MSD. That was one of the best years of my life. I made friends learning Sign Language. Some were dirty signs. I will never forget the first day. In the dining room during breakfast, all the boys sat on the right side and all the girls on the left side. This guy waved his hand at me and said, “You love coffee.” But he signed, “You love necking.”

I said and signed, “Yes, I love coffee,” but I innocently mimicked his sign, which I thought meant coffee.

He and everybody laughed.

I was confused. I asked the girls sitting next to me, “Did I sign it wrong?”

They said, “No, you signed it right.”

So I repeated it, “I love coffee.” And they laughed even louder.

Later as we were leaving, one of the girls came up to me and told me, “That is not the sign for coffee. It means necking.”

You can imagine; I was embarrassed. But later, that guy became my boyfriend.

I had wonderful experiences at MSD. I participated in many activities – the Christmas show, plays, and dancing.

MSD had Deaf and hearing teachers. I observed Deaf teachers a lot. I also cut students’ hair there. I went home on weekends. I had a job in a beauty shop to earn money to buy clothes.

I graduated from High School twice: from Wheaton in 1959 and from MSD in 1960. So I have two diplomas! I graduated among the top ten of my class at Wheaton and I was a member of the National Honors Society.

I took the entrance exam to Gallaudet and passed. I enjoyed my time at Gallaudet. I met many interesting students throughout the United States, and had fun dating different men. I was a cheerleader for three years. I joined Delta Epsilon Sorority. I was president of the Newman Catholic Student Club. I majored home economics and minored in education.

While at Gallaudet, I continue working my weekend job at home.

During my Junior year I began experiencing moments when I had vision difficulties. The following summer I went to see an ophthalmologist. He broke the shocking news that I had Retinitis Pigmentosa. What was that? I never heard of RP. He showed me a brief medical description that was not very helpful. Then he said, “Quit college. Learn Braille tomorrow. You are going blind.”

I felt grief and anger. Quit college? “Hell no!” I never went back to that doctor. The doctor referred me to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), while I continued my studies at Gallaudet. I did not tell my classmates. I did not want sympathy.

After I graduated in 1965 I taught cosmetology for four years at Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Sutton. It was a wonderful experience being a Deaf teacher. Then I got married and moved back to Maryland.

Then I was employed as a vocational rehab counselor at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in Washington DC for 22 years.

During that time I earned my Master’s Degree in counseling (1982). I supervised student interns from Gallaudet University counseling department. I also met Ele Macdonald, who told me about AADB – the American Association for DeafBlind. With my best friend, Sharon Carter, we attended the 1980 AADB convention at Gallaudet. Wow! I was amazing to meet so many DB individuals who had various modes of communication. I had to learn fast!

At that time I learned that Al Pignmental set up a DeafBlind institute with Art Rorhig. They set up classes in Braille, mobility, support group leadership, and interpreting for DeafBlind.

With my knowledge from leadership training, I saw a huge need for DeafBlind people to gather to share their experiences. Ele and Ros Macdonald started hosting potluck gatherings for DeafBlind people at their home. We took turns in hosting the event on a monthly basis. We tried to provide education for people to learn how to provide services to DeafBlind people. After two years we decided to establish a formal organization. At first it was the DeafBlind Club, but later we changed the name to the Metro Washington Association for DeafBlind (MWADB). Jack Wright was the first president. I was the treasurer. Later I became the third president, the first female president. It was an enriching experience to take training at Gallaudet.

After I retired from RSA in December 1991, due to my progressive visual loss, I realized it was time for me to focus on learning new skills. I tried establish a business for DeafBlind services and looking for funds. Then I attended Helen Keller National Center in NY from Oct 1994 to May 1995. (I went home to Maryland on weekends to attend to my son, who during that time stayed with the family of a soccer friend. He also was learning about DeafBlindness.) I tried to find funding with my board and to provide SSP service. Unfortunately, it was hard to find grants, due to the low number of DeafBlind people. I taught Braille through adult educational program. I continue to advocate and give presentations about DeafBlindness.


Ann C. Black


MWABD - In lieu of flowers please send doantions to the organization Ann Co-Founded. https://mwadb.org/donation/

Shared by Steve Collins:

Ann C. Black, a DeafBlind leader and early co-founder of the Metro Washington Association of the DeafBlind (MWADB) in Maryland: Founding & Leadership in MWADB.

Ann C. Black was one of the original founding members and early leaders of the Metro Washington Association of the DeafBlind (originally called the Metro Washington Club for the Deaf-Blind) when the organization was formally established in April 1984 to support DeafBlind adults in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region. At the first election, she served as treasurer, helping establish the group’s initial bylaws and activities.

Role & Impact

• As treasurer during the organization’s formative years (1984–1987), Ann Black helped build the administrative and financial footing of the club as it evolved into the MWADB.

• The Association grew from regular social gatherings into an active community organization offering events like potluck dinners, picnics, camping trips, community speakers, support group sessions, and SSP (Support Service Provider) training aimed at reducing social isolation for DeafBlind individuals. Advocacy & Barriers for the DeafBlind

Ann C. Black has also been active as a DeafBlind advocate beyond MWADB. In a testimony to the Maryland legislature, she spoke publicly about the significant communication and mobility barriers faced by DeafBlind people, especially those with Usher Syndrome (a genetic condition that causes both hearing and vision loss). In her testimony, she highlighted how crucial trained Communication Navigators (CNs) are for DeafBlind adults to function confidently and remain engaged in community activities.

Personal Background

• She has lived for many years in Rockville, Maryland and has shared firsthand experiences of vision loss using her testimony to influence policy for better services for DeafBlind individuals.


Ann Carroll Black of Rockville, Maryland, a vocational rehabilitation counselor and advocate for the deaf blind, died on February 25, 2026. She is survived by her sons, Robert Warren, Jon Warren and Colin Black, three beautiful grandchildren, her sister, and other relatives and friends. A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass will be held. The tentative date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Time and place will be announced once the details are finalized.