Gallaudet University is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Casey of Brisbane, Australia, to its Board of Trustees, effective October 2026.
Casey is Chief Executive Officer of Deaf Connect, Australia’s largest provider of lifelong services for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing people. A Deaf leader and lawyer, he brings extensive experience in organizational leadership, governance, disability policy, and advocacy.
Under his leadership, Deaf Connect has expanded its national reach and impact. In 2020, Casey led the merger of two state-based organizations, Deaf Services and The Deaf Society, followed by the integration of Deaf organizations and services in South Australia and Western Australia. Deaf Connect has since expanded its presence into Victoria, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.
As CEO, Casey works closely with Deaf Connect’s Board to advance organizational strategy, governance, and financial sustainability. He has overseen a broad range of community services while building partnerships that strengthen opportunities, access, and equity for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing Australians.
Casey has also held several prominent advisory and advocacy roles. He served as Independent Chair of the Queensland Disability Advisory Council, providing strategic and policy advice to the Queensland Minister for Disabilities, and as a member of the Queensland Government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition Advisory Group. He also represented the Deaf and disability communities in connection with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Geneva.
His international leadership includes service on the Legal Commission of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf from 2014 to 2018 and a subsequent appointment to the Legal Commission of the World Federation of the Deaf.
Casey holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Arts, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. He is admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Queensland.
Throughout his career, Casey has championed access, equity, and the rights of Deaf and hard of hearing people. His experience and international perspective will contribute to the Board’s work in advancing Gallaudet’s mission and global leadership in Deaf education and advocacy.
