Meet the Board of Directors

Founder - Board President

Katie Brien

Katie Brien is a seasoned theater professional and sign language interpreter with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. Originally from Southern California, she has been involved in theater performance in some capacity for her entire life. After relocating to Georgia, Katie completed the Sign Language Interpreting Program at Georgia State University, graduating in 2021.

In addition to working as a stage manager in local theaters, Katie has been instrumental in connecting theaters with qualified interpreters, ensuring accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. She has also taken on interpreting roles herself, bringing live performances to a broader community. Beyond the theater world, Katie provides interpretation services within the recovery community, recognizing the importance of accessibility in all spaces.

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Founder - Treasurer

Meghan Cowin

Meghan has been a dedicated sign language interpreter since 2005, with a strong academic background in the field. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Sign Language from Georgia Perimeter College in 2004, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Deaf Studies in 2006 and a Master’s Degree in Teaching in 2009. Meghan specializes in the fields of education and performing arts, combining her passion for language and communication to support diverse communities. She has also volunteered with the Georgia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (GaRID) for several years, serving as both Secretary and Treasurer, where she contributed to the growth and development of the interpreting profession in the state. Outside of work, she enjoys playing soccer and cycling, staying active and energized, which helps keep her balanced and inspired in both her personal and professional life.

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Founder - Vice-Chair

Lori Civello

Lori Civello is a dedicated, certified sign language interpreter and educator with a deep-rooted commitment to bridging communication gaps and fostering inclusivity. Growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) in the vibrant cultural landscape of New York City, Lori gained firsthand experience navigating the complexities of Deaf and hearing worlds. This unique perspective, coupled with her lifelong passion for dance, fuels her drive to create accessible experiences for all.

Understanding the profound impact of limited access, Lori vividly recalls the challenges of her parents' missing performances due to a lack of interpreting services. This personal experience ignited a passion to ensure that no Deaf family faces similar barriers. She strives to create environments where the entire family unit, and the broader community, can fully participate in and enjoy arts, education, and social events.

A commitment to excellence and growth marks Lori’s professional journey. She brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her work, focusing on making the arts and educational opportunities accessible. She is dedicated to the mission of ACCESS ATL, working to empower the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind community through accessible programming and collaborative partnership.

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JOIN US

About Us

Experiencing more, together. Because everyone deserves a front-row seat

At ACCESS ATL, we are committed to:

Accessibility: Providing comprehensive accessibility solutions across the arts, education, and community spaces, ensuring equal access and inclusion for all individuals, regardless of their needs.
Excellence: Elevating standards across accessibility services through professional development, advanced training, collaboration with industry leaders, and staying on the cutting edge of emerging accessibility trends.
Community: Building inclusive communities by bridging communication gaps, hosting Deaf-led events in safe spaces, and empowering the Deaf community through education and linguistic and cultural fluency. By enhancing accessibility, we enable the Deaf community to contribute back, creating a positive, cyclical impact.
Education: Empowering K-12 students and interpreters through targeted training, enhancing fluency and educational access.
Collaboration: Fostering culturally appropriate partnerships among entities, stakeholders, and service providers to create sustainable and impactful programs.
Integrity: Maintaining the highest ethical standards in all our endeavors, respecting the language, culture, and rights of the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, DeafBlind, and CODA communities.
Growth: Continuously striving to improve and expand our services, adapting to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Why Partner with Access ATL?

At Access ATL, we go beyond simply providing interpreters. We deliver full-service accessibility to enhance your theatrical production for the Deaf community.

Here's the Access ATL Difference:

🎭 Specialty-Trained Theatrical Interpreters: Our interpreters possess a deep understanding of stagecraft, including blocking, character portrayal, and performance timing, ensuring a nuanced and engaging interpretation.
🤝 A Collaborative Team Approach: You'll benefit from a team of interpreters plus a dedicated Director of Artistic Sign Language (DASL), guaranteeing authentic and expressive interpretations that capture the artistic intent.
📣 Community Outreach & Promotion: We actively advertise and market your show to Deaf individuals and organizations, helping you reach a wider audience and fill more seats.
⚙️ On-Site Theater Coordination: We work directly with your team to seamlessly integrate accessibility, from determining optimal interpreter placement and lighting design to ensuring accessible program and bio details.
👂 Audience Accessibility Support: We assist in coordinating seating for Deaf patrons in designated interpreted sections, prioritizing their comfort and viewing experience.
✍️ Interpreter Access for Rehearsals: Our interpreters attend select rehearsals to craft personalized, high-quality interpretations that truly reflect your show's artistic vision.

What You Get Elsewhere:

Two interpreters.
...And that's it.

Choose Access ATL For:

A full-spectrum, theater-savvy accessibility partnership that not only meets the needs of the Deaf community but also elevates your production with care and excellence.