Alisa Barnes, Vice President of CCTRID, has been involved with the Deaf community all her life. As a Child of Deaf Adults, Alisa was exposed to sign language at a very young age. Alisa went to Cleveland State Community College and took classes for Dental Hygiene and Early Childhood Development. Quickly realizing sign language was her passion, Alisa changed gears. As an adult, Alisa has been deeply involved with the Deaf community. For over 7 years, Alisa has worked with the Deaf, as a freelance interpreter. For over a year, she worked as Staff Interpreter for Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults with the division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Recently, Alisa has obtained her National Interpreter Certification through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Alisa currently works as a Video Relay Interpreter and continues her freelance work in the community. Although the Deaf are very important to her life as a CODA and an interpreter, Alisa does all her work for her three wonderful children. Alisa states that she strives to be all she can be, as an interpreter, as a person, and most importantly, as a mother.