Affectionately known as “Dima,”, Dmitriy is an ASL instructor at NTID and the University of Rochester. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, he grew up attending a school for the hard of hearing, where classes were taught using the oral method. After a year at a mainstream college in St. Petersburg, Dmitriy immigrated to the United States in 1992 following the collapse of communism.

In 1993, Dmitriy joined NTID through the Summer Vestibule Program (SVP), which marked his first immersion into American and Deaf culture, along with learning American Sign Language (ASL). Inspired by the linguistic differences between Russian Sign Language (RSL) and ASL, Dmitriy developed a passion for teaching ASL, focusing on promoting understanding and appreciation of Deaf culture. Beyond teaching, Dmitriy is an avid collector of model cars and enjoys exploring history, travel, and ASL content on social media. His journey from Russia to the United States reflects his resilience and commitment to bridging cultures through language and education.

Why did you choose NTID/RIT?
I chose NTID because of technology and I love working with my hands.

What about college were you least prepared for?
What I felt least prepared for was navigating with my limited proficiency in English: reading written English and using or understanding ASL. Until I was 21, my primary languages were Russian: writing and reading in Russian and signing using RSL.

Could you share a memorable moment (or moments) from your time at NTID/RIT that stands out as a personal favorite?
After living in the USA for almost two years, I decided to try entering NTID, despite my limited language skills. In 1993, I attended the Summer Vestibule Program (SVP) at NTID for six weeks, where I learned valuable insights into American and Deaf lifestyles. During my time in the SVP, I continued learning English, ASL, and about American cuisine, which offers a wide variety of foods compared to the more limited options in Russia.

Can you share a bit about your early life and what it was like growing up Deaf in Russia?
Growing up Deaf in St. Petersburg, Russia, during the Communist era, had its challenges. Limited freedom of speech and discrimination made daily life hard, especially for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people; there were no protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act at that time. Deaf and Hard of Hearing people were often overlooked in education, employment, and social opportunities. Despite these challenges, I found joy in watching soccer and hockey, which brought a sense of connection to my peers.

In 1992, my family and I immigrated to the United States, and the difference was amazing. For the first time, I saw closed captions on most TV programs.

You were born in Russia; did you learn RSL as a child? How is ASL different than RSL?
I began learning RSL in kindergarten where they often pushed the usage of Simcom, or simultaneous communication – a combination of spoken and signed language. This wasn’t always effective, as it prioritized the usage of spoken language versus fully embracing RSL.

RSL and ASL are completely different languages. The English alphabet consists of 26 letters, while the Russian alphabet has 32 letters, making the hand shapes, movements, and signing productions quite distinct from one another.

What inspired you to become an ASL instructor, and how has your background influenced your teaching?
I was inspired to become an ASL instructor because I became fascinated by the linguistic differences between RSL and ASL, particularly in terms of classifiers and grammar. I learned ASL through school and interaction, which sparked my passion to teach ASL to the hearing community.

Are there any specific misconceptions about being Deaf that you’d like to address or challenge?
I believe every hearing person should understand and appreciate Deaf culture and the Deaf community. This includes recognizing the uniqueness of signing, the role of body movements, the significance of sound, and the value of signing space in communication.
One key misconception is the assumption that being Deaf is solely a disability—it is simply the inability to hear. To be inclusive of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, it is critical to provide assistive tools that support full participation in meetings and social events. Resources such as video relay services, closed captions, automated speech recognition, and interpreter services are important for making sure access and inclusion. Also, Deafness is more than a physical condition; it is a rich cultural and linguistic identity. It’s important to move beyond seeing Deaf individuals as lacking something and instead recognize the strengths, resilience, and contributions of the Deaf community.

Other misconceptions about the Deaf is the belief that they cannot speak or hear music. Deaf people can experience music through vibrations and by observing body movements. It's important for the hearing community to understand that Deaf people have their own first language, which is ASL, typically learned at Deaf residential schools or from Deaf teachers.

Fun fact(s) about you that you would like to share!
Another fun fact about me is that I’ve been an avid collector of model cars since childhood, focusing on scales 1/43 to 1/38. I also enjoy spending time on social media, especially watching reels on Instagram and Facebook. My favorite topics are about animals, history, travel destinations, and ASL versions of trending videos.