Donalda Ammons was raised in the Washington, D.C. area in an all Deaf family. She attended the Maryland School for the Deaf, graduating in 1970. She continued on to Gallaudet University to receive her B.A. in Social Philosophy in 1974 while also making history as the first female editor-in-chief of the Tower Clock. She received M.A. in Education from Western Maryland College in 1977. She earned her doctorate in 1988 in higher education from Nova Southeastern University. After teaching at her former school, Maryland School for the Deaf, Ammons came to Gallaudet in 1977 to join the Department of Foreign Languages as a Spanish teacher.

In Dr. Ammon’s years of study, she has become proficient in 7 languages. She has given lectures on second language acquisition and how to teach foreign languages to the deaf. In addition to languages, Dr. Ammons is an avid sports fan. After attending the 1965 games for the deaf, she became an instant fan. She has worked with the World Games for the deaf in various capacities varying from official to vice-chairperson.