BETHESDA, MD: Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the nation's largest organization for people with hearing loss, presented national awards during its annual Convention this past June in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Walter T. Ridder Award was presented to David G. Myers, Ph.D., prior to Dr. Myers' keynote address at the Opening Session. Dr. Myers was honored for his "Let's Loop America Campaign" and for increasing awareness about communication access through his writing and ability to attract national media attention. The award was established in 1984 and named after Mr. Ridder whose newspaper career spanned 50 years. Knight-Ridder Inc., a communications group which Mr. Ridder helped create, grew to include newspapers, radio and television stations. He was the national editor of the Knight-Ridder publishing empire, headed the Washington, D.C. bureau, and served on the Knight-Ridder board until 1989, a year before he died. Mr. Ridder was also a founding member of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People in 1979, now Hearing Loss Association of America. (The Opening Session was sponsored by Williams Sound.)
The Howard E. "Rocky" Stone Humanitarian Award was given to Bea Lyons of Chattanooga, Tennessee, during the Banquet. The recipient of this prestigious award is selected by the HLAA Board of Trustees to honor an outgoing or past trustee for his or her extraordinary contributions toward the furtherance of the objectives and personal exemplification of the philosophy envisioned by Howard E. Stone, founder of the organization. (The Banquet was sponsored by Contacta and Univox.)
The National Access Award was presented to Brown University during the Awards Breakfast and Ceremony. The award is given to those who have provided or significantly improved communication access for people with hearing loss. Brown University was recognized for their disability access services it provides to students, staff, faculty and visitors, especially those with hearing loss, to be able to participate fully in the programs that Brown University offers. (The Awards Ceremony Breakfast and Ceremony was sponsored by CapTel Captioned Telephone.)
The Awards Ceremony and Breakfast was held to honor people and organizations that have contributed to HLAA's success and moved the HLAA mission forward. HLAA also showcases best practices of HLAA Chapters and State organizations. See a list of all the 2012 award recipients.
About Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA)
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), founded in 1979 by Rocky Stone, opens the world communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy, and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions (HLAA Convention 2013 is in Portland, Oregon, June 27-30), produces Walk4Hearing® events, hosts online learning, and more. HLAA has an extensive network of chapters and state organizations. Further information can be found at www.hearingloss.org. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301-657-2248.
