HLAA Employer Awards

Here's the text of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Employer Award presentations, thanks to David Crocker, a member of the HLAA Board.
-- Cheryl Heppner

- Raytheon
- Boeing
- Margie Gillean, ELGA Credit Union

Employer Award
Our work is integral to our quality of life, and HLAA wishes to recognize those employers that have committed to helping their hard of hearing employees achieve their potential in their organization.

Raytheon Company
Nominated by Beth Wilson

The company was represented by Dan Ryan, Vice-President of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.

Beth Wilson writes that "Raytheon's vision is more than diversity-it is to build an inclusive culture." The company has implemented practices that create an environment to maximize the potential of its employees, and made it "possible for employees with hearing loss to not only participate, but to lead in the workplace." Beth can request an accommodation and there are policies, procedures and resources in place to ensure that her communication needs will be met. Different corporate departments coordinate access including the Employee Resource Group, and the Media Solutions Team. Training and meeting rooms are available with loops installed, and the equipment is always on, meaning that all she has to do is turn on her T switch. Communication access for classified meetings is enabled with infra-red systems, with transmitters, and loops or headsets are available. No advance notice is required to use these accommodations. As a result of this heightened awareness, training materials on DVDs and the web now include closed captioning.

Beth has been provided with voice activated microphones so that she can understand everyone speaking in the room on her personal system. Beth has traveled the country to different company offices, and her access needs have been anticipated. During a recent visit to one location where a building was under construction, a VP asked her to tour the construction site with a team to guide them in selecting types of equipment to benefit employees with hearing loss. Another employee with hearing loss experienced some difficulties in arranging CART for team meetings on short notice, Raytheon established a group to address the issues and now the company often utilizes remote captioning to facilitate access. Raytheon is also investigating ways to provide captioning for virtual meetings. Raytheon employs over 73,000 people, and their commitment to providing communications access is impressive. Beth is the 2007 President of the Raytheon Persons with Disabilities Group in the Northeast US, and as such has stated that the company "has been collaborative and systemic in making hearing access automatic in the work environment." These efforts of the people at Raytheon are commendable, and HLAA formally recognizes their exceptional achievements.

Boeing Company
Nominated by Lilia Smith

Lilia Smith nominated her employer the Boeing Company because of their, "continuous support...going beyond ADA compliance." She states that she is in an optimum position to perform her responsibilities. Boeing's accommodations include:
• Sensitivity training within departments.
• Laptops computers provided to minimize EM buzzing when using t-coils.
• Established meeting guidelines and environment rules.
• Providing mirrors at workstations.
• Disseminated communication tips for communicating with HOH employees.
• Providing personal listening systems.
• Participating in diversity training classes.
• Presenting in Hearing Loss Awareness presentations at different worksites
Lilia concludes that, "because of the accommodation and understanding of my hearing loss from my peers and co-workers, I am able to meet many challenges...I truly believe that this employer, the Boeing company, is outstanding and merits this award." HLAA agrees and wishes to congratulate them on a job well done.

Honorable Mention- Margie Gillean, CIO of the ELGA Credit Union
Nominated by Sheila Bisaha and Ann Liming

Ann Liming and Sheila Bisaha wrote that, "while Margie is not the official employer of the credit union, she is a supervisor...responsible for changing the work experience, "of Sheila Bisaha, who has a profound hearing loss. Margie first contacted Ann four or five years ago, when she was searching for some way to enable Sheila to use the telephone, and to find ways to educate co-workers and eliminate the prejudice that Sheila had been dealing with at the office

Margie brought in staff from various state and local agencies to learn about available technologies and communication strategies to help Sheila overcome the challenges of the workplace. Margie implemented the following support services or devices at her office:
• Work Occupational Environment Assessment through the Michigan Rehabilitation Services Dept.
• Custom training for Sheila for computer processing.
• Presentational speaker training.
• Job position business training.
• Michigan Credit Union League Training workshop.
• Audio loop in the ELGA Administration building conference center.
• Acquired a text message device for Sheila through Michigan Rehabilitation Services Dept.
• Installed VCO phone and a CapTel phone.

Margie gathered demographic information about people with hearing loss to help determine the potential impact on the credit union. This information was used to help formulate a career development plan for Sheila, and today Sheila is the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Member Services Representative at ELGA Credit Union, and has helped run sensitivity training for other employees.

In addition, as a result of Margie's efforts, the ELGA Credit Union website states that they are, " taking an active part in the deaf and hard of hearing community,'' and provides related information and list access services available at branch offices.

Sheila writes of Margie that, "she is my best mentor and is like a sister to me. She understands me with my hearing loss and gives me so much patience and time. I wouldn't be here if it were not for her." HLAA is proud to recognize Margie for her actions on behalf of Sheila and all hard of hearing people.

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