Meet The Team

Echo of Hands was founded with a simple but powerful goal: to build a meaningful bridge between Deaf and hearing communities - one that goes beyond spoken language. I started this organization out of a deep belief that true inclusion begins with understanding how others experience the world and choosing to meet them with openness and respect.

Through Echo of Hands, I have come to see that learning new ways to communicate is not just about acquiring a skill, but about developing empathy, cultural awareness, and genuine human connection. When young people step outside their comfort zones and listen with intention, they begin to shape a more inclusive and compassionate society.

Whether you are fluent in sign language or, like me, still learning and finding your rhythm, you are warmly welcome here. Every effort matters. Even the smallest gesture can spark meaningful change, and I invite you to join us on this shared journey of understanding, expression, and humanity.

Growing up, being around people with disabilities was never something unusual to me - it was simply part of everyday life. This perspective naturally led me to work closely with children and adults with developmental disabilities, not as a helper looking from the outside, but as a teacher and collaborator. Through art-based activities such as improvisational theater, music, and painting, I learned that communication does not rely solely on spoken language.

This belief later shaped my work as a filmmaker, when I directed a film centered on the lives and voices of the Deaf community. That experience taught me that true inclusion begins when we listen beyond words and respect different forms of expression.

Echo of Hands embodies these values. It is a student-led community built not on sympathy, but on respect, curiosity, and genuine connection. As an advisor, I sincerely hope Echo of Hands continues to grow as a space where diverse forms of communication are honored, differences become sources of strength, and empathy is transformed into action.

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My name is Olivia Baek, and I am a Junior at LaGuardia High School in NYC. I want to join Echo of Hands because I value inclusion and believe growth comes from engaging with communities beyond my own. Although I am not yet familiar with ASL, I want to support the Deaf community with humility, empathy, and openness. As a visual arts major, I am especially interested in using art as a form of communication. Visual storytelling can express identity, emotion, and experience without words or sound. Through design, posters, and other creative projects, I hope to help create spaces where communication is accessible and inclusive for everyone.

I’m honored to serve as the President of the New Jersey Chapter of Echo of Hands. I became interested in ASL when I met a friend who is hard of hearing and discovered how powerful nonverbal connections can be in bringing people together. Through Echo of Hands, I aim to bridge gaps between the Deaf and hearing communities. As president, I hope to expand opportunities for meaningful connection and inclusive communication within our chapter and beyond. I’m excited to work alongside others who share my goal of fostering a more understanding and compassionate community.

Through my academic and musical journey, I have learned that meaningful growth comes from perseverance, responsibility, and the encouragement of a supportive community. As a violist in the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College program and a member of the New Jersey Youth Orchestra, I have developed discipline, collaboration, and leadership through ensemble performance. Performing with visually impaired musicians through the Bella Music Foundation deepened my empathy and strengthened my belief that music is about connection and resilience. Through my involvement in Echo of Hands, I promote inclusion and encourage students to serve the disability community with compassion, awareness, and initiative.

Hello! My name is Jason Hwang, and I am so excited to join Echo of Hands. Ever since I was young, I loved creating stories in my mind, which naturally led to a love of storytelling, specifically movies. I am currently running a film club in my school where critical discourses of movies happen, but I want to level it up by breaking barriers of hearing ability. As a member of Echo of Hands, I want to share that appreciation with everyone, eventually empowering all who are part of the community to express themselves as well. Methods to achieve such ends can include inclusive film discussions, reports on current accessibility measures, and a silent film challenge.
Other fun facts about me include my experience living in 4 different countries (Indonesia, Korea, France, and America) and that I play the cello.

Hello, and welcome to Echo of Hands.

I am a high school student who dreams of becoming not just a doctor who treats illness, but a physician who walks alongside people - listening, understanding, and helping open hearts that have been closed by misunderstanding or isolation. I believe true healing begins when people feel seen, respected, and included. As the regional chapter president of Echo of Hands, I am committed to supporting and advocating for the Deaf community through meaningful, accessible outreach. We plan to use short-form media platforms such as YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels to share clear, engaging content that reaches a wide audience. Our initiatives include translating iconic K-drama lines into sign language, introducing the Deaf K-pop group BigOcean, and teaching everyday ASL vocabulary. Through Echo of Hands, I hope to deepen my understanding of the Deaf community, expand ASL education in Korea, and help build a society where communication creates connection rather than barriers. Thank you for being part of this journey.

As the Vice President of the Virginia Chapter of Echo of Hands, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve a community rooted in empathy, compassion, and connection. From a young age, I have been actively involved in volunteer work through my church and local community alongside my parents, and these experiences have shaped who I am today. They taught me the value of service, humility, and understanding others beyond my own perspective. Through Echo of Hands, I hope to help create inclusive spaces where people can connect, learn from one another, and grow together. I believe meaningful change begins with small acts of empathy, open hearts, and consistent effort.

Hello, and welcome to Echo of Hands Seoul Chapter.

I am a high school student serving as the President of the Seoul Chapter of Echo of Hands. My journey began when a Deaf family moved into the apartment next to mine. As we spent time together, I learned that Deaf individuals are not defined by disability, but by a different way of communicating. They share the same emotions, dreams, and daily lives as anyone else. Through this experience, I realized that a small hand extended with sincerity can bring great happiness and meaningful change.

This realization inspired me to join Echo of Hands, a community built on empathy, respect, and connection. As chapter president, I hope to expand opportunities for collaboration between student volunteers and Deaf youth in both Korea and the United States. By fostering cross-cultural exchange and accessible communication, I aim to help create a world where differences in language never become barriers to belonging.

As the London Chapter President of Echo of Hands, I am honored to help build a community that values inclusion, empathy, and meaningful connection. In a city as diverse as London, I believe it is especially important to create spaces where Deaf and hearing individuals can come together, learn from one another, and communicate beyond barriers. Echo of Hands is not just about volunteering. It is about understanding different perspectives and growing through shared experiences. I hope our chapter continues to inspire students to step outside their comfort zones and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate global community.

It was an honor to serve as the student leader of the New York Chapter. During my time as a high school student, I came to realize that true leadership is not about speaking the loudest. It is about listening, connecting, and building something meaningful with others.

Echo of Hands gave me the opportunity to do exactly that. It is more than a volunteer group. It is a space where young people from different cultures, languages, and abilities come together to build a world that is more inclusive and more human.

Whether you joined to learn, to lead, or simply to meet others who care, I hope you found and continue to find a place where you truly belong. I am grateful to have grown alongside this community, side by side and hand in hand.

Let us continue to make every voice, gesture, and effort count.

As a student deeply committed to leadership grounded in empathy, it was an honor to represent Echo of Hands in California. I first became interested in inclusive communication when I volunteered with students of diverse abilities at a local school. What inspired me most was how much we all learned from one another, not only about language but also about patience, joy, and our shared humanity.

Echo of Hands gives young people a space to connect across cultures and experiences. I am grateful to have helped build a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered to express themselves through gestures, creativity, and collaboration. Serving as the California Chapter President was a meaningful experience that strengthened my commitment to creating more inclusive communities.