Michelle Rich is an Educational Captionist for Olathe School District in Kansas. She has been providing access to media for students with hearing loss who are mainstreamed for over five years. Beyond delivering a finished product that allows access to media, she loves advocating with production companies to provide captions and detailing the necessity of such and encouraging those companies who are already providing captioning. Prior to captioning, Michelle used her Master’s Degree in Psychology to work in a variety of social work positions.
Michelle’s most important role is that of mom to three children— a son in high school who is profoundly deaf, a daughter in elementary school with moderate, progressive, loss; and a preschool son who is hearing, as well as a husband with moderate hearing loss. Her drive to be a part of providing access came from observing the great need for access in her own family and the profound impact made when access is granted. She accepted the invitation to serve on the Community Advisory Board in hopes of being part of the bigger picture-- a more global delivery of access through captions. Outside of work, Michelle loves watching her children use their blessings and exceptional qualities in sports and in life and enjoying each day with her family.