Dr. David Meek

About Me

I am an Assistant Professor of Special Education, specializing in Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Education, at Illinois State University. With over 20 years of experience in education, I have worked with students across a wide range of abilities in both K–12 and higher education settings.

 

My passion lies in preparing future educators, advancing research, and advocating for communication access, inclusion, and belonging within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

 

Outside of academia, I enjoy exploring new places, discovering hole-in-the-wall restaurants, hiking local trails, traveling, and participating in 5Ks. I am always looking for opportunities to connect with people, experience different cultures, and learn something new.

 

Current & Recent Positions

I currently serve as an Assistant Professor of Special Education – Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Illinois State University, where I teach undergraduate and graduate courses focused on Deaf Education, American Sign Language, and supporting students with diverse learning needs.

 

Before joining Illinois State University, I served as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Deaf Education at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

 

I previously held a position as a Visiting Research Professor in the Sensory, Perceptual, and Cognitive Ecology (SPaCE) Center at NTID/RIT. Before that, I completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the SPaCE Center under the mentorship of Dr. Matthew Dye.

 

My academic experience also includes teaching graduate courses at Lamar University and McDaniel College.

 

Education

• Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education - Lamar University (2018)

• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Special Education: Mild Intervention - Ball State University

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Deaf Education - Ball State University

 

Experience

I bring over 20 years of experience in Deaf Education and Special Education, working with students from diverse backgrounds and with varying learning needs.

 

My professional journey has included K–12 teaching, university instruction, teacher preparation, and academic research. These experiences have shaped my commitment to improving educational opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, particularly those who experience communication barriers or have additional disabilities.

 

As a university professor, I enjoy mentoring future educators and helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to create accessible and inclusive learning environments.

 

Research Interests

My research focuses on communication access, educational experiences, and social inclusion among deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

 

One of my primary research interests is Dinner Table Syndrome (DTS), which explores the cumulative effects of missed communication and incidental learning opportunities experienced by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, particularly within family environments. My work examines how these experiences influence identity, relationships, social connections, and feelings of belonging.

 

I am currently writing a book titled Dinner Table Syndrome: Communication, Access, and Belonging for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, under contract with Gallaudet University Press.

 

Another area of my research focuses on Deaf individuals with additional disabilities (Deaf+), including their educational experiences, communication needs, and access to appropriate support services.

 

I am also interested in family communication dynamics, sibling relationships, Deaf identity development, and the role of accessible communication in fostering meaningful connections.