We’re seeking outstanding individuals from the Greater Eastside area with any degree of hearing loss for a national awards program that honors people with hearing loss who make a difference in their schools, communities or the world. The 2010 Oticon Focus on People Awards is currently in it’s 13th year of recognizing outstanding individuals, and breaking down the stigma that can be related with hearing loss. “The program is an excellent way to demonstrate that hearing loss doesn’t limit a person’s ability to achieve, contribute and excel in the world,” says Clinic Director Ruth Norwood.
We’re encouraging anyone who knows of an outstanding person witha hearing loss to contact the clinic to place in an nomination. The award honors people in the following categories:
- Student: for young people with hearing loss, ages 6-21 who are full-time students
- Adult: for adults with hearing loss, ages 21 and above
- Advocacy: for adults ages 21 and above with hearing loss who actively volunteer their time in advocacy or support effors for the hard-of hearing and deaf communities
- Practitioner: recognizes hearing care professionals in general practice and pediatric practitioners in school or clinical settings who go “above and beyond.”
Local philanthropist, Paige Stringer of the Global Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss was a recipient of last year’s award, and we’d love to see another winner come from the Northwest!
Top winners in all categories will receive a $1,000 award and a $1,000 award to the non-profit group of their choice along with a set of advanced technology Oticon hearing soltons.
Deadlines for nominations are September 20, 2010. We hope you’ll let us know who out their in our community is helping make a difference!