Lesia has a long history of serving individuals with access and functioning needs. For more than twenty years, she has managed deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, and autism programs, with services including job placement, family support, ADA consultations, community outreach, and providing accessibility, inclusion, and awareness training/consulting for community leaders. She has certifications in Emergency Management, Inclusive Planning, Missouri Interpreter Certification, Missouri Department of Mental Health Communication Specialist, among others. Growing up with family members who are deaf and hard of hearing, she saw the barriers they faced and dedicated her career to helping others with hearing loss overcome barriers to access in education, careers, and personal lives. Lesia is a member of the Southwest Team and serves as the statewide Deaf/Hard of Hearing Specialist.