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Shaping An Accessible World |
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Telecommunications for the Deaf and hard of hearing, inc. |
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2009 TDI Biennial Conference |
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Five Emergency Preparedness Champions for Deaf, Hard of Hearing Honored During TDI Conference
President's Reception 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on July 30, 2009 At the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel In Washington, D.C. TDI invites you to attend the President's Reception on Thursday, July 30 from 7:15 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. during the 18th Biennial International Conference at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel at 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW. in downtown Washington, D.C. A ticket for the President's Reception is $60 per person unless you have a combo ticket for the conference. Registration for the TDI conference is not required to attend the reception or to view the exhibits. To purchase a ticket for this reception or any other TDI Conference event, please go to www.tdi-online.org/pdfs/2009_TDI_Conf_Event_Form.pdf. If you have any other questions about the conference, please send an email to execdir@tdi-online.org.
Media Contact: Michele Roseman
Silver Spring, Md. - Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDI) and its Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Project will present five Special Recognition mementos during the President's Reception at the 18th TDI Biennial International Conference. These mementos are being given to publicly acknowledge the inroads that people have made within the deaf and hard of hearing communities. The five honorees have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
The honorees are: Mike Monge, Fire Chief, Faribault Fire Department Faribault, Minnesota. Mike was one of the first emergency managers in the nation to acknowledge challenges that people who are deaf and hard of hearing face during various phases of disaster. As one of CEPIN's instructors, he is recognized as one who has blazed a trail for collaboration between emergency managers and people with special needs.
Hilary Styron, Director Emergency Preparedness Initiative National Organization on Disability. Hilary tirelessly advocates for people with all types of disabilities in emergencies and disasters. She has worked to ensure that the concerns of people who are deaf and hard of hearing are fairly and prominently represented among legislators and policymakers.
Cheryl Heppner, Executive Director Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons Cheryl played a significant part in creating the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Action Network (DHHCAN) report on "Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access: Lessons Learned Since 9/11 and Recommendations". Her efforts helped emergency managers and policymakers understand how their lack of planning and training was impacting the deaf and hard of hearing populations they sought to serve. She gave voice to concerns of people who are hard of hearing as well as service animals and their partners. Her regular "Galaxy the Ready Dog" features on the NVRC listserv continue to inform consumers nationwide of the importance of emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
Claudia Gordon, Staff Attorney Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties U.S. Department of Homeland Security Claudia is one of the highest-ranking deaf people serving in our government today andthe first Black deaf female attorney in the United States. Claudia's tenacity and focus is evident as she consistently advocates for people with disabilities in the emergency management field. Her efforts have resulted in improving emergency preparedness awareness for people with disabilities at all levels, as it relates to disasters and emergencies.
Col. Tom Tucker, Director National Center of Biomedical Research and Training Louisiana State University. Tom has been at the forefront of the development of training programs dealing with biological weapons of mass destruction. As a father of a deaf daughter, Col. Tucker is also keenly aware of the challenges facing deaf and hard of hearing people in disasters. He positioned the National Center of Biomedical Research and Training (NCBRT) to serve as a critical role model for CEPIN in its formative years and helped CEPIN emerge as the premier Training Partner for FEMA as it relates to special needs issues.
Each Special Recognition honoree has made a unique and long-lasting contribution to ensure accessibility to technological advances within the deaf and hard of hearing communities. "We feel especially privileged to have worked with these great men and women in their effort to make emergency management and preparedness accessible for people who are deaf and hard of hearing," Neil McDevitt, the Program Director of CEPIN, said.
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