Human Development Center

Nicky Gillies is the Project Director for the Louisiana DeafBlind Project, where she has worked since 2021. Nicky began her career as an American Sign Language interpreter in 2009, attaining national certification in 2012. She completed her MS degree in ASL/English Interpreting Pedagogy at the University of North Florida in 2019. Nicky has worked as an interpreter, mentor, consultant, and educator in a variety of settings including higher education, the non-profit sector, and private practice. She has also served as an adjunct instructor in ASL, launching a series of ASL courses for LSU Health New Orleans students in 2023. Nicky works with early intervention providers, school districts, and vocational rehabilitation professionals to identify and provide appropriate support to students birth through 22 who are DeafBlind. She designs professional development for educators who work with this highly diverse population of students. Nicky also provides educational planning and resource support to families of children and youth who are DeafBlind.
 

Rose Angelocci is the DeafBlind Registry & Data Coordinator for the Louisiana DeafBlind Project. Since 2017, Rose has provided technical assistance to families and professionals connected to children with combined vision and hearing loss especially in the areas of assistive technology, transition from high school, and the use of deafblind interveners. She also maintains the Deafblind Registry for Louisiana.  Rose is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CR), a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT), and a Certified Deafblind Intervener.

Tara Couch works as a Project Coordinator for the Louisiana DeafBlind Project and a Facilitator with the LASARD Project. With 11 years in education, she brings a strong background in advocacy, collaboration, and supporting diverse learners. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching–Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing from the University of New Orleans, as well as an associate degree in American Sign Language from Delgado Community College.

As an itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for seven years, Tara worked closely with both students and teachers, with a growing focus in recent years on supporting fellow educators. She believes that when teachers and families feel supported, students succeed. Collaboration, understanding, and accessible communication are at the heart of her work, and she is passionate about ensuring every student is seen, understood, and valued.

Outside of work, Tara is a wife and mother to two children, Mila and Hayes. She has also worked as a (very part-time) cosmetologist for nearly 19 years and values the meaningful connections that come with being part of people’s lives.