meet the team

Bob Marsh
Managing Director:
Bob@zebra-access.com

Bob was previously our Head of Employment services and, with his team, delivered a high class level of employability support for Deaf customers across the Black Country and over achieving all contractual targets. Bob has returned to Zebra Access to utilise his contract and fundraising strategy skills in this part-time role which we are confident will be every bit as successful as his previous roles.

Deirdre Maguire
Community Liaison Officer & Team Leader:
deirdre@zebra-access.com

Deirdre has been working for Zebra Access since 2017 in various roles. Deirdre grew up in the Deaf community and passionately believe in a person-centric approach with advocating and empowering which mean enabling a platform for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing people to share their voices. 

Clare Wilkes
Wellbeing & Health Officer:
clare@zebra-access.com

Having been born deaf, Clare experienced many barriers growing up, especially being raised in a hearing family environment. Clare discovered the deaf community in her early teens where she finally felt at home with her peers who has lived through similar experiences and barriers as she did. Clare recognises that communication access to information, peer support groups and services is paramount to everyone's mental wellbeing. Upon being employed as a Wellbeing Officer, she will strive to continue Zebra Access' accessible wellbeing events, services, workshops and trips to make life better for Deaf people without barriers.

Dawn Lynch
BSL and Deaf Awareness Tutor:
dawn@zebra-access.com

Dawn joined Zebra Access team in October 2019 as a qualified British Sign Language (BSL) and Deaf Awareness Tutor and has over 20 years of BSL and Deaf Awareness teaching experience. She has teaching qualifications including BSL Level 6, City and Guilds 7307 in Teaching and a Level 3 NVQ Teaching Assistant.

Linda Beasley
Specialist Employment Officer:
linda@zebra-access.com

Having been born into a Deaf family and raised within the Deaf Community in the West Midlands, Linda knows many different sign language dialects, and has a wealth of experience supporting a wide range of service users, including deafblind people and people from other countries. She has previously worked in residential settings and as an outreach worker..  

Linda previously worked for Zebra Access during 2021 and 2022 and joins Zebra Access again as Specialist Employment Officer. She is passionate about supporting deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people to get into work, and challenging communication barriers in the workplace and job centres. 

Mirriam Banks
IAG/Triage Officer:
mirriam@zebra-access.com

Mirriam, who has been deaf since birth, discovered her true sense of identity within the deaf community after facing challenges fitting in with the hearing world throughout her childhood. Mirriam has taken on various roles, including volunteering for Deaffest’s 15th Anniversary and worked as a BSL Assistant. Now, as she steps into the role of Information Advice Guidance Officer, she is committed to helping deaf individuals navigate their struggles, providing the guidance and support they need to thrive. She looks forward to making a positive impact as part of the team.

Robyn Swannack
Heritage Project Officer and Communications & Marketing Officer:
robyn@zebra-access.com

Robyn Swannack, who grew up in the Deaf community in South Africa and Australia, brings a diverse skill set encompassing research, project coordination, training, and community outreach. Holding a Master's degree in Anthropology, Robyn is passionately dedicated to making a positive impact using her expertise within the Deaf community and beyond. She is committed to empowering individuals who are Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, or Deafened to share their stories and preserving their heritage.

Shifa Tahir
Outreach Officer:
shifa@zebra-access.com

Shifa was raised in a hearing family, wearing hearing aids from early age before her hearing got progressively worse to a point four years ago where she had cochlear implants operation. This has made her more sympathetic to those who experience an unexpected hearing loss and determined to help people who also suffer from this life changing experience. Growing up, she experienced the daily barriers that deaf people face and due to this, she is dedicated in finding ways to support the deaf/hard of hearing community to overcome these barriers. 

Shifa has accumulated many different experiences of working with deaf children/adults with additional disabilities whilst gaining qualifications where she has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by deaf individuals. 

She believe that knowledge sharing and increasing deaf awareness are crucial to changing things and eradicating injustice.

Services

With the support of funders such as the National Lottery's Community Fund, BFI, Foundations, Trusts and so on, Zebra Access CIO provides a range of free services and support to Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing and Deafened people and communities. Zebra Access staff, volunteers have the right to work in a safe and abuse free environment alongside with service users. The organisation will not tolerate any kind of abuse against its staff, volunteers, service users or property.

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