Bob LoParo, RID CI, CT
Bob, holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Xavier University. He has trained and interpreted extensively with DeafBlind individuals, Alcohol/Drug Addiction Services, Theatrical/Performance (Juilliard School/Theatre Access Program/Theater Development Fund), cruise vacations, post-secondary settings, and conferences (state, regional, national, and international).
He has been involved with multiple RID Member Sections since he joined RID in 1999, including ITOC (Region V Representative, 2011), BLeGIT (Region V Co-Representative, 2009), DeafBlind (Vice-Chair, 2015), IEIS, VIMS, and Deaf Caucus. Mr. LoParo is also the Co-Chair of the Membership Committee for SCRID, Southern CA RID Affiliate Chapter (2013). Intersectionality, Power/Privilege/Oppression, and minority studies has always been of interest to him, considering his non-traditional background (Irish mother and Italian father–thus the name!) and lack of cultural Asian upbringing, necessitating his personal journey in discovering his roots, values, and identity. He has had multiple requests across the country for future engagements to present this and other Professional Development topics.
Mr. LoParo has taught at the university level since 2000 and has been an adjunct instructor in the ASL/ITP Department at El Camino since 2008 and the Faculty Adviser for the student-run ASL/ITP Club, Hands Of Friendship, since 2011. He enjoys teaching, mentoring, and presenting—assisting all ITP students and practitioners in reaching for ever-higher goals and abilities, while also mutually gaining wisdom and skills from those he works with on a daily basis. Power, Privilege, and Oppression are realistic experiences his students report regularly, so he emphasizes such topics & discussions during class. He is also a crazy-cat owner (4!), and a zombie, sci-fi, and science/technology-phile.