Bethesda, MD: The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) will be holding their annual awards ceremony at the HLAA Convention 2016, being held June 23-26 at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. HLAA presents awards each year to those who have had a significant impact in the support of people with hearing loss.
HLAA will honor outstanding individuals, HLAA Chapters and State Organizations, companies, and organizations on Sunday, June 26 at the Awards Breakfast and Ceremony, sponsored by CapTel® Captioned Telephone. In addition to the awards, recognition is also given during the Awards Breakfast to outgoing HLAA Chapter and State Leaders and HLAA Walk4Hearing participants for leadership roles and program development, and Founder’s Day, among other timely awards.
Howard E. “Rocky” Stone Humanitarian Award
Lucille B. Beck, Ph.D., deputy chief patient care services officer for Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services in the Office of Patient Care Services, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Dr. Beck will receive the Howard E. "Rocky" Stone Humanitarian Award. 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 Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH). Rocky founded SHHH in 1979, now known as the Hearing Loss Association of America.
The award will be presented by Founding Family Member Alice Marie Stone during theCapital Banquet on Saturday, June 25. The banquet is a highlight of the Convention.
HLAA Board Chairperson Margaret Wallhagen, Ph.D., commented, “Dr. Beck was the first professional to serve on the Board of Trustees. At the time (1989) she was chief of audiology and speech pathology services at the VA. Rocky appointed her to address the technology issues and the determinants of quality for professional services. He also needed help with legislation to address telecoils and TV captioning, and he wanted the Board to have access to professionals who could advise on technology. She chaired the first session given at the SHHH Convention with representatives from the hearing aid industry where topics such as cost, size, telecoils, and technology needs were addressed. Dr. Beck’s involvement created a path forward for consumers to tell the industry what they needed.”
James B. Snow, Jr., M.D. Award
Amy Donahue, Ph.D.,deputy director, Division of Scientific Programs, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health
The Snow Award was created in 1997 to honor the contributions of James B. Snow, Jr., M.D., toward furthering scientific research in the field of hearing loss. Dr. Snow was the first director of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Dr. Donahue was selected for her commitment to research on hearing loss and healthy aging, furthering scientific research in the field of hearing loss, especially as it relates to the promotion of accessible and affordable hearing health care.
National Access Award
Yahoo Accessibility Team
The National Access Award honors those whose work significantly impacts communication access for people with hearing loss on a national scale.
The Yahoo Accessibility Team members have decades of experience designing assistive technology and developing accessibility guidelines and standards. The Accessibility Team’s approach to creating accessible options involves working side-by-side with Yahoo’s product managers, designers, and engineers and, at the same time, working with individuals and consumer groups, such as HLAA, who will ultimately use the products.
Innovation Award
Sony Corporation
The Innovation Award acknowledges and honors companies and individuals who have designed and promoted products, services, and/or standards for technology that improve the lives and experiences of people with hearing loss. Innovative technology allows people with hearing loss to find new and exciting ways to fully participate in the world around them.
Through the development and distribution of the Sony Entertainment Access Glasses, Sony Corporation has demonstrated a significant achievement, resulting in people with hearing loss being able to enjoy a movie with friends and family, children and grandchildren at any time, for any showing. The experience of being an equal part of the community cannot be overstated.
Outstanding Employer Award
Ernst & Young, LLP
The Outstanding Employer Award is awarded to those who have provided or significantly improved communication access for people in the workplace. In selecting a recipient, HLAA looks at contributions made to further attitudinal change and to improve the quality of the work environment for people with hearing loss.
Ernst & Young fosters a supportive culture and an enabling environment in which people of all physical abilities, including those with hearing loss, are able do their best work and grow in their careers. In addition to providing access to put employees on an even playing field with hearing employees, Ernst & Young now offers hearing aid benefits to employees, partners, and covered family members.
In addition to the awards listed here, HLAA will honor outstanding individuals, such as: HLAA Member Dan Carione, deputy inspector for the New York City Police Department who will receive the Marcia Dugan Advocacy Award; HLAA Member Cheri Perazzoli who will receive the Get in the Hearing Loop Campaign Award; and, HLAA Member and Former Executive Director Brenda Battat, who will receive the Keystone Award.
View a complete list of all 2016 award recipients.
Read more about the HLAA Awards Program.
About the Hearing Loss Association of America
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, support and advocacy. In addition to the Convention, HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds the Walk4Hearing in 22 cities around the country, advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss, conducts educational webinars, and has an extensive network of chapters and state organizations across the country. For more information, visit hearingloss.org.
