MEET THE TEAM

A change in leadership, one vision for Deaf access.

Deaf Reach UK has been led by people with extensive, long‑standing expertise in British Sign Language since 2014. Meet the women who built — and now steward — the practice.

2025 - PRESENT

Christine DeBlase

Director

Christine DeBlase leads Deaf Reach UK today. A Level 6 NRCPD-registered interpreter with almost twenty years of experience working within the deaf community, she took over the directorship in 2025. As the Director and lead interpreter at Deaf Reach, Christine is dedicated to bridging the gap between the hearing and Deaf worlds, with a deep-rooted commitment to accessibility and professional excellence. She ensures that every interaction is clear, respectful, and empowering.

Christine's focus is on keeping the service client-centred, ethically run and locally rooted — working closely with Oxfordshire's Deaf community, hospitals, schools and the County Council to make sure access is real, not nominal.

2014 - 2025

Karen Wall

Former Director - Founder

Karen Wall founded Deaf Reach UK in 2014 and built the practice into the well-trusted British Sign Language service it is today. Karen retired from the day-to-day in 2025, but her values — accuracy, advocacy and care — still shape everything we do.