HLAA Colorado Members Win HLAA National Awards
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Marcia Dugan Advocacy Award
This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an HLAA member who serves as an advocate with decision-makers and others about laws and other crucial issues affecting people with hearing loss. Terri Shirley, a tireless advocate for open captions in movies and live theater, is driven by a personal experience with a failed closed caption device. She has worked with Colorado legislators to support a bill for open captions in movie theaters. Although the bill did not pass, her efforts led several theaters to offer open captions voluntarily. She maintains a state list of open caption movies and collaborates with a local film festival to ensure that all films have open captions. Her advocacy and dedication to improving accessibility has made a significant impact on the hearing loss community. Watch video presentation (2.5 mins) here (be sure to turn captions on) |
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HLAA 2023 Community Access Award
Wynne Whyman (on right), HLAA Denver Chapter and Peggy Bell (HLAA New York and Florida Chapters. This award is presented to HLAA individuals who have created awareness about hearing loss and promoted communication access. Awardees are dedicated core members of the HLAA Get in The Hearing Loop Committee, who helped develop the Hearing Loop Accessibility feature on the Google Maps platform and created tools to promote it. Over several years, they have built supportive, ongoing relationships with accessibility team members at Google, as well as with hearing loop installers and manufacturers. In addition, Wynne developed a database of looped venues—perhaps the largest such database in the world. |
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2018 HLAA Convention in Minneapolis, MN
Vickie Pacheco (left), HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter Newsletter Editor Award for excellence in creating a publication for people with hearing loss Dr. Nichole Kovel (right), HLAA Colorado Springs Chapter Excellence in Audiology |
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2025 ALDA Convention in Denver, CO
Terri Shirley, HLAA Boulder Chapter Vice President, was surprised to be presented the ABLE ALDA award at the 2025 ALDA Denver Convention. She was instrumental in securing hotel alliances and Convention speakers, and coordinated Convention vendors. Her husband, Dan, said, "The shock on her face when it was announced is priceless. It was a great deal of hard work." Terri is a tireless and vocal advocate for people with hearing loss in Colorado, and, as ALDA said, "She exemplifies what the boots on the ground looks like." Congratulations, Terri!
Terri Shirley, HLAA Boulder Chapter Vice President, was surprised to be presented the ABLE ALDA award at the 2025 ALDA Denver Convention. She was instrumental in securing hotel alliances and Convention speakers, and coordinated Convention vendors. Her husband, Dan, said, "The shock on her face when it was announced is priceless. It was a great deal of hard work." Terri is a tireless and vocal advocate for people with hearing loss in Colorado, and, as ALDA said, "She exemplifies what the boots on the ground looks like." Congratulations, Terri!
