COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AWARD
The winner of this award for 2016-2017 is Jordan Hollahan, for his outstanding leadership in bringing media attention and public awareness to the barriers experienced by hard of hearing students in Grade 12 across the Province in the listening component of the English 3201 Public Examination.
COMMUNITY ACCESSIBILITY AWARD
The winner of this award for 2016-2017 is Newfound Cabs. Over the past year, Newfound Cabs has taken steps in improving accessibility of their cabs and in customer service. Newfound Cabs developed an app for bookings which greatly impacts the lives of people who cannot hear well over the telephone. Newfound Cabs sought out CHHA-NL to offer training for all of their staff on awareness, communication with persons with hearing loss, and sensitivity.
COMMUNITY AWARENESS AWARD
The winner of this award for 2016-2017 is Kieran Gill, a grade 8 student from Clarenville Middle High, for his determination in creating awareness of hearing loss in his entire school by getting everyone to participate in the Hearing Loss (Ear Plug) Challenge when he was in grade 7. There were approximately 280 students and teachers in his school. Kieran also held a display for his entire school and a presentation for his class to explain what living with a hearing loss is like. This helped to provide a sense of acceptance and understanding of hearing loss throughout the school, especially for those other students who had hearing loss too. Kieran’s work on these projects provided his school community with knowledge and skills for working with and communicating with those who have hearing loss.
HEARING CONSERVATION AWARD
The winner of this award for 2016-2017 is the Gander Branch of the National Canadian Hard of Hearing Association for their initiative to increase public awareness of noise-induced hearing loss and to encourage individuals to protect their hearing on-site at their local arena, through the installation of a custom made earplug vending machine. Gander is now one of two locations in Newfoundland and Labrador where ear plugs are available at a location known to host noisy activities.