Ashley Benton, MSW is a resourceful advocate with 20 years of experience in providing
a wide array of services to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind communities. She
has been recognized for outstanding leadership and service within these communities.
Ms. Benton is currently the Deaf/DeafBlind Services Coordinator and a member of the
Executive Management Team with the NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing (DSDHH). Prior to joining DSDHH, she was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
and a Mental Health and Substance Abuse therapist. She is DeafBlind with Usher
Syndrome and communicates using tactile American Sign Language, ProTactile and
Haptics. Ms. Benton received her MSW with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind
specialty certification from East Carolina University. Her experience includes serving as
director of the NC Deaf-Blind Associates (NCDBA) DeafBlind Weekend at Camp
Dogwood, board member of DeafBlind Citizens in Action (DBCA), long-time
representative of the DeafBlind community on the NC Council for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing, board member of the NC Interpreters and Transliterators Licensing Board, and
member of the National Task Force on DeafBlind Interpreting. Ms. Benton grew up on a
farm in eastern NC, is married to an interpreter and has a teenage son. She enjoys
reading, socializing with friends, and riding her tandem bike.
