Blaire Johnston has been Charlotte’s Regional Center Manager at the Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing since June 2016. In this role, she has been successful in supporting DSDHH’s mission to ensure that North Carolinians with hearing loss have full communication access, especially in the areas of their well-being and health. Prior to her role at DSDHH, Blaire served for nine years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the deaf and hard of hearing, where she worked with people to obtain or maintain employment. She is also serving various organizations that advocate for people with disabilities in education, independent living, and community involvement. Her passion and commitment to self-advocacy is powered by her experience as a Deaf woman. Blaire obtained her Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Auburn University in 2011 and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
Blaire, who became Deaf at the age of three, is a dedicated leader in the Christian Deaf community. She has served as the elected Secretary and Treasurer for the NC Baptist Conference for the Deaf (NCBCD) and as President of Junior NCBCD. In her roles at NCBCD, Blaire has coordinated conferences and outreach, leading the Deaf community to a closer relationship to Christ. She has also been a leader in her local church for Deaf Christians.
In 2013, Blaire felt God leading her to become a board member for Signs for Hope (SFH). Their mission is one dear to her heart: to bring hope to Deaf orphans around the world. Many of these Deaf orphans have never known the love of a parent. Many have no language or access to the world God has made for them. In a way, we can all identify. Once, we were all lost, orphans without hope. But praise God, for: “Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)” Ephesians 1:5 The Message. Now it is our turn to show the love God has given to us. God made us members of His family. Now we must make Deaf orphans members of God’s family.