by Emma Fantuzzo
About the Corps:
CorpsTHAT was founded in 2016 as a consulting organization to provide support to other Conservation Corps and outdoor organizations in making their programing more available to the Deaf Community. The Deaf Community encompasses individuals who identify as Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and late deafened. In 2018, CorpsTHAT became a non-profit organization with the goal to provide more direct Deaf led and centered conservation crew and outdoor programming. CorpsTHAT has always been led by Deaf and Disabled identifying individuals. While serving and supporting the Deaf community—and the many identities within it—is central to CorpsTHAT’s mission, they are equally committed to being part of and advancing access for the broader Disability Community in outdoor spaces, both through their work and lived experiences.
CorpsTHAT Internship Placement Intern kneels on a stone pathway next to their Deaf National Parks Service supervisor who is using a sponge to smooth out the masonry mortar, a wheelbarrow and budget with a mixture of mortar sit in the background.
Corpsmembers:
What makes CorpsTHAT’s Corpsmembers unique?
All CorpsTHAT’s Corpsmembers identify as Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or late deafened. They have the opportunity to work with Deaf land managers, Deaf leaders and staff, creating a safe and supportive environment to explore their identities while exploring their career opportunities within the outdoor field.
CorpsTHAT provides holistic training including career development, self-advocacy, life skills, leadership development, outdoor skills and certifications, job training and social, emotional and well-being skills. The majority of our trainings are provided in direct communication and are lead by Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled and late deafened trainers.
What do Corpsmembers typically do after their service terms?
We have had Corpsmembers go on to work for other Corps programs as the only Deaf member on their crew. Alumni of ours have worked with their local communities to set up other non-profit organizations focused on the Deaf Community and sustainability. Many of our Corpsmembers return to our programs and apply to federal, state and private outdoor agencies and organizations.
Corpsmember Success Stories:
Maria Isabel Stull:
Maria joined our crew in 2022 as one of our crew leaders. She quickly jumped into the role, gaining hands-on experience and growing her leadership skills out in the field. Her time with CorpsTHAT gave her the confidence and foundation to keep moving forward in the conservation world. After the season, Maria joined an all-hearing conservation crew—a big step outside her comfort zone—but she brought the same energy and drive we saw in her here. That experience, combined with what she learned at CorpsTHAT, inspired her to co-found a nonprofit focused on agriculture and stewardship, alongside another CorpsTHAT alum. Now, they’re building something powerful that brings together sustainability, community, and Deaf leadership. We’re proud to watch Maria’s journey unfold and see the impact she’s making in the field.Jemima Chong:
Jemima joined CorpsTHAT in 2024 as one of our crew leaders, bringing a strong background in conservation; she was working on her master’s in Science at the time, with a focus on conservation. From the start, her passion for the environment and leadership skills really stood out. After finishing the crew season, Jemima continued building on her goals by joining our first-ever Deaf-led Leave No Trace Level 2 Trainer Course. She took what she learned and ran with it, co-hosting Leave No Trace awareness workshop in partnership with CorpsTHAT, all while finishing her graduate degree. Jemima’s drive to connect conservation with community and access is what makes her story so powerful. She’s helping show what’s possible for Deaf professionals in this field—and we’re excited to see where she goes next.
What is CorpsTHAT’s message for young people in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community who are interested in service?
Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals belong in service roles, outdoor leadership, and environmental stewardship—and they can thrive in these spaces. CorpsTHAT encourages young Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and late Deafened people to pursue service work not only as a way to give back to their communities and the environment, but also to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and connect with others who share similar experiences. Their programs are designed to ensure communication access, Deaf cultural competency, and a supportive environment, breaking down barriers that often exclude Deaf individuals from service and conservation careers.
Five Leave No Trace Level 2 training participants sit on a pine needle covered floor with tall pine trees in the background. Participants are leaning over cards laid out on the ground and signing and discussing the lesson activity.
Project Work:
What types of project work do crews from CorpsTHAT work on?
- Trail construction and maintenance, including bridges and trail assessment
- Invasive species removal and habitat restoration
- Historic preservation (e.g. structures, stonework)
- Tree planting, fencing infrastructure, landscaping
- Stream restoration, water conservation
- Maintenance of parks and campgrounds, urban conservation, facility upkeep
- Support for disaster response efforts, when needed
What is an example of a project or program that CorpsTHAT has recently or is currently working on?
Last week, a CorpsTHAT crew partnered with Velomont, a Deaf-founded nonprofit organization based in Vermont, to complete mountain biking trail maintenance. It was a powerful and inspiring collaboration—our crew worked side by side with Deaf project partners, communicating fluently in their native language, American Sign Language (ASL). The teamwork was strengthened by shared language, visual communication, and hands-on demonstrations, creating an empowering environment for everyone involved.
Sam (Marlo) Bragg, CorpsTHAT Field and Logistic Director, is training CorpsTHAT Corps Members in trail maintenance. Kneeling at a drainage dip in the trail, Sam is signing a description of the drainage angles and slope as two CorpsTHAT Crew members watch.
Resources:
How does CorpsTHAT support other Corps who are interested in supporting Corpsmembers who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing?
CorpsTHAT still partners with organizations, providing programming support for making their programs more open and welcoming for Deaf community members. We provided education, tools and resources on language access, facilitating communication and working with and hiring qualified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. We work with the organizations to create inclusive spaces by hiring and screening Deaf leaders, providing basic cultural knowledge and understanding when working with the Deaf Community, centering the Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or late deafened perspective and providing their members training, education and support in direct communication as much as possible. In addition to partnering with organizations, we have since expanded our supported services to include 5 – 10 week long courses on ASL for the Outdoor Professional; partner trainings that are a 2.5 hour long crash course in making programming more inclusive; and, ASL Interpreter trainings to expand the network of qualified interpreters for outdoor and conservation settings.
How would other Corps and their Corpsmembers benefit from the resources and ASL training that CorpsTHAT provides?
Corps gain an understanding and ability to work with their local Deaf Community and provide support to any Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and late deafened Corpsmembers. They are better prepared to serve the general disability community. While the Deaf Community is just one part of the broader disability community and identity, learning ASL, learning how to better communicate and support visual or tactile communication, and understanding the Deaf and Disability identities from a cultural perspective instead of a medical perspective benefits everyone.
