Jose “Ovi” Velasquez is a Deaf educator and advocate who is passionate about empowering the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

Velasquez was born hearing and became deaf at nine months old. He comes from a primarily hearing family, with one sister who is also Deaf and one sister who is a certified interpreter. He attended the Regional Day School for the Deaf and Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, Texas. He holds degrees from Gallaudet University and Lamar University.

Professional career

Velasquez has worked as an educator at different levels for over two decades. He is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in American Sign Language at the University of Iowa. He has also taught at Sam Houston State University and the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley.

Advocacy and community work

He is involved in community work to improve the lives of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. He supports empowering Deaf youth to become leaders. He is active in organizations including:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center Board of Trustee (chair)
• Gallaudet University Alumni Association (vice president)
• Iowa State Registry of the Deaf (vice president)
• American Sign Language Teacher Association (certified member)
• National Association of the Deaf (Council of Representative committee)
• Cedar Rapids Association of the Deaf (member)
• Iowa Association of the Deaf (member)

Inspiration and impact

Velasquez aims to inspire advocacy for the Deaf community. He highlights the importance of cultural understanding within the Deaf community, like appropriate ways to get someone's attention.