Kari Sween

Kari Sween serves as Assistant Professor and American Sign Language Coordinator in the Department of Speech, Hearing, and Rehabilitation Services within Minnesota State University, Mankato's College of Allied Health and Nursing. Her work bridges ASL pedagogy, Deaf cultural advocacy, and systemic barrier reduction for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities across healthcare, education, and legal settings.

Her educational qualifications include:

• M.S. in Teaching and Learning, Minnesota State University, Mankato (2022)
• B.A. in Education, Minnesota State University, Mankato (2008)
• Sign Language Proficiency Interview: Superior Plus Rating

Dr. Sween's research examines communication inequities through lenses of audism, social justice, and accessibility. She investigates how linguistic discrimination manifests in audiology, law enforcement, and healthcare systems while developing frameworks for culturally responsive practices. Her scholarship emphasizes early intervention strategies for Deaf children and amplifying Deaf community voices in policy discussions, with recent work focusing on person-centered care models and legal advocacy pathways.

Her conference presentations from 2023-2025 demonstrate consistent engagement with pressing accessibility challenges, particularly regarding healthcare access, law enforcement communication protocols, and educational equity. While specific grant details aren't public, her collaborative presentations with professionals like Oeding and Kinney indicate interdisciplinary partnerships addressing systemic barriers.

As ASL Coordinator, she shapes curriculum that moves beyond linguistic instruction to examine power dynamics in Deaf-hearing interactions. Her teaching philosophy centers creating transformative learning environments where students develop both ASL proficiency and critical awareness of societal barriers facing Deaf communities.