We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Susan Gonzalez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Susan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

My dream was to be an amazing Deaf teacher of Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Hard of Hearing/LateDeafened (Deaf*) children. Or so I thought. I worked for San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for almost 13 years. During the latter years I encountered a concrete ceiling (not glass mind you). The Deaf/HH program within the district fluctuates in enrollment numbers; since I was the last teacher hired, I was the first to be moved around. Moved around I did for a number of years. At one point I applied to be a Kindergarten teacher with accommodations. SFUSD rejected me as a candidate citing that the ASL interpreter would have authority in the classroom not me simply on the grounds that I do not speak. A grievance led to arbitration and the arbitrator agreed with the district. This fight lit a fire within in that I found I was good at arguing, pushing back, using their own words against them, and advocating. I decided to enroll in law school in 2003. I did not really have a lot of support; many believed I was nuts for leaving a job that came with a good paycheck and job security. Little did they know I was literally dying as a Deaf individual.

I graduated in 2006 and got my license in 2007. I was never keen on corporate law always wanting to give back to the Deaf* community. I opened my own practice in 2007 and had moderate success. I chose to accept a part time position at Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA) in 2010. Thirteen years later I am in a position that allows me to return to my teaching roots with my legal knowledge as an Advocate for families who struggle against school districts that deny quality education for their Deaf* children. I work with an amazing staff in the Youth & Family Services Department who also believe in the importance of language access for all Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Hard of Hearing/LateDeafened infants/toddlers/children/youth.

Returning to my teaching roots brings my joy; offering a bridge to legal knowledge and advocacy skills brings me pride. I know I am where I am supposed to be.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I don’t have a brand. My private legal practice is estate planning which is not always seen as essential services. I have worked with Deaf seniors who did not understand what their estate planning paperwork meant let alone represented. Working with them in their language (American Sign Language (ASL)) allows me to connect them with critical information so they can actively make decisions about THEIR OWN property. For most of them it was the first time they were in a position to decide for themselves what they wanted.

My work at DCARA pushes back against the hearing system known as special education run by hearing people who have little to no understanding or awareness of the lived experiences of Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Hard of Hearing/LateDeafened (Deaf*) children/youth. Ableism and audism is rampant within the system and causes great harm and trauma for Deaf* children/youth. This harm and trauma is really not talked about let alone acknowledged. I am exceedingly proud of the work that my Youth & Family Services Department does on a daily basis.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I tried for almost four years to get my own private legal practice up and running. My clientele has always been the Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Hard of Hearing/LateDeafened (Deaf*) community. I did work with hearing clients when hired; it just didn’t bring me much joy. Because of my choice to honor the Deaf* community it did mean a lot of struggle to sustain the business. The economy was tanking and the struggle was intense.

I accepted a part time position at DCARA as their program developer focusing on grants and funding. This allowed me to have a steady income with benefits, something I did not have in my private practice. I streamlined my legal practice to estate planning only and have been able to sustain it to date. Over the 13 years at DCARA my position changed from program developer to Legal Advocate to Systemic Advocate to Youth & Family Services Manager. This evolution has allowed me to combine my love for teaching and my legal training which has been amazing. Today I share my experience and knowledge with my staff as they shine as the next Advocate for families with Deaf* children/youth.

Little did I know back in 1993 as a new teacher that I would be an Advocate for families in 2024.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

In my legal practice and as the Youth & Family Services Manager, other clients/parents/families have connected new clients/parents/families with me. I am always surprised when they tell me how they found me as I never realized or appreciated the impact that I or my work have on them.

Advocating with families who struggle with the special education system does not always bring results right away. When the results do happen it is so very rewarding. To experience accomplishments alongside the families is a honor and something I value in my work.

The same applies in my legal practice (as well as working as a Deaf interpreter). Connecting Deaf* with information and offering that bridge for Deaf* to actively and knowingly participate in their own lives is the definition of success.