Somerset, NJ, April 18 - Oticon, Inc. today announced the call for nominations for the 2011 Oticon Focus on People Awards, a national awards program that honors hearing impaired students, adults and advocacy volunteers who have demonstrated through their accomplishments that hearing loss does not limit a person's ability to make a difference in their families, communities and the world. By spotlighting people with hearing loss and their contributions, Oticon aims to change outdated stereotypes that discourage people from seeking professional help for their hearing loss. This year, Oticon seeks to expand the reach of the program with a new online voting component designed to empower people across the US to help select top winners in four categories.
"In 14 years, the Oticon Focus on People Awards has encouraged hearing care professionals, their support staff, educators, colleagues, family and friends to nominate remarkable individuals with any degree of hearing loss for the awards program," says Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. "In 2011, we have added online voting to further expand awareness of the program and its mission and give people across the US the opportunity to add their voices to the selection of the winning finalists."
Anyone may nominate an individual for this year's awards which are offered in four categories:
- Student, for young people with hearing loss, ages 6 - 21, who are full-time students
- Adults, for people with hearing loss, ages 21 and above
- Advocacy, for adults with hearing loss, ages 21 and above who actively volunteer their time in advocacy or support efforts for the hearing impaired and deaf community (full-time students in advocacy should apply for the Student category)
- Practitioner recognizes hearing care professionals in general practice and pediatric practitioners in school or clinical settings who go "above and beyond." Nominees in the professional category are not required to have a hearing loss to qualify.
Second place winners in each category will receive a $500 award and third-place winners will receive $250. Since 1997, the Oticon Focus on People Awards has awarded more than $185,000 to outstanding individuals and the not-for-profit causes of their choice. All nominees, whether or not they are selected as a top winner, will receive a Certificate of Recognition.
Since 1997, the Focus on People Awards has recognized over 200 extraordinary people with hearing loss and awarded over $185,000 in prizes.
Nomination/Judging Process
People may nominate themselves or other individuals for the Oticon Focus on People Awards. Nominators complete a simple form that asks for a brief description of the nominee's accomplishments and contributions. To submit a nomination, please visit www.oticonusa.com, under the Professional or Consumer sections and click on the Oticon Focus on People Awards link. The deadline for award nominations is July 27, 2011.
A panel of leading hearing care professionals will select the three finalists in each of the four categories. Online voting, which will open on August 10, will determine which of the three finalists receives the first, second or third place awards in their categories. Award winners will be announced in September.
You may also learn more about Oticon by visiting the Oticon web channel on AudiologyOnline.
