Branton Stewart, CDI, CLIP-R
Deaf Member-at-Large
Branton Stewart grew up with his Deaf family in Atlanta, Georgia. Throughout his school years, he used several modes of communication including SEE, Oralism, Cued Speech and managed to communicate with and without the use of interpreters. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Government and minored in Business Administration at Gallaudet University. He has held the Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) credential since 2002.
Branton has broad experience in volunteer positions in both the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and RID. His service includes four years as the Vice Chairperson for the RID Deaf Caucus Member Section. He was also a NAD delegate for GA and NY during four NAD conventions, President of the Empire State Association of the Deaf, and was involved in a number of organizations in Atlanta, NYC, Rochester, and Southern California which primarily focus on improving the quality of communication for Deaf Interpreting, Interpreting, and supporting the Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind communities.
He was also appointed to the RID Board of Directors as interim Deaf Member at Large in fall 2013. He was the chairperson for the RID Deaf Advisory Council (DAC). He was re-elected in 2019 as the Deaf Member-at-Large (DMAL) to the RID Board of Directors.
Branton’s career choices have typically included some type of connection with both the Deaf community and the profession of interpreting. Other positions that Branton has held include lobbyist, coordinator, director, marketing, recruiter, and a VRS manager. He currently owns a company called CDI Network (www.needCDI.com) and also does additional work as a stand-up comedian and photographer (www.BrantonStewart.com).
Branton has resided in Temecula, CA since 2006.