Corey Axelrod
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As a member of a multigenerational Deaf family,
Corey has seen many inequities in treatment for the Deaf/hard of hearing
community--and he is determined to eliminate this injustice. After his father
had trouble communicating with healthcare professionals during his battle with
multiple myeloma, Corey founded 2axend, an organization dedicated to
providing equitable experiences for Deaf/hard of hearing people.
In
addition to his work with 2axend, he is a third-term president of the Illinois
Association of the Deaf and sits on the Northwest Community Hospital's Patient
and Family Advisory Council. He brings this passion to the Chicago Jewish
community through his involvement with the Jewish Deaf Congress and hosting
events for local Deaf/hard of hearing Jews, including Hanukkah parties.
During the pandemic, he advocated for COVID-related updates to be accessible
to Deaf viewers at the local, state, and national level. Thanks to him, Governor
Pritzker's press conferences now all feature interpreters.
PRONOUNS:
He, Him, His
AGE:
35
PRIMARY GIG:
Husband and father
ON THE SIDE:
Founder and CEO of
2axend
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Passionate,
Driven, Determined, Creative, Genuine, Persistent, Dynamic, Loyal, Tenacious,
Versatile
HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
From exposing my twin boys to bagels and lox from Kaufman's Deli to hosting
events for the Chicagoland Deaf Jewish community and participating in the
Jewish Deaf Congress' virtual services, there's so many ways to "Jew" in
Chicago.
