TDI Awards Luncheon - Part One
By Cheryl Heppner
Editor: One of the important events at any of the hearing loss
conventions is the Awards Ceremony. This is where we learn who's doing
what to improve various aspects of life for people with heairng loss.
Here's part one of Cheryl's report on the TDI Awards Luncheon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
- Board Member Recognition - Ted Hart, Tom Driscoll
- Award Program Introduction
- Robert H. Weitbrecht Award - Brenda Battat
- H. Latham Breunig Award - Sheri Farinha-Mutti
- James C. Marsters Award - Nanci Linke-Ellis
A highlight of the final day of the TDI conference was the Awards
Luncheon. After stuffing ourselves with more of the Marriott's wonderful
food, we celebrated the recognition of some very special people. Fred
Weiner, the TDI Board member representing the southeast region, served as
Emcee of the luncheon.
Board Member Recognition
TDI's Board has five regional representatives and four at-large
representatives. The regional representatives are voted on by the people
in their regions. TDI President Roy Miller recognized two outgoing members
of the Board of Directors, Ted Hart and Tom Driscoll. Hart, from the west
region, is TDI's first Board member from Microsoft. He has served on the
Board for 4 years. Driscoll is from the northeast region and has served on
the Board for 8 years, the last four as its secretary.
Plaques recognizing their service were given to both Hart and Driscoll.
Hart said his service on the Board has been a great experience and that
he had made some good friends. He also remarked "I've been amazed at the
tireless energy and organizational talent that Roy Miller brings to TDI."
Said Driscoll, "It's been a great opportunity to stay involved in
telecommunications." He also complimented Miller for "driving a nice ship"
and Claude Stout -- "the most wonderful Executive Director" -- noting that
Stout has roots throughout the nation's capital and the rest of the
country.
Award Program Introduction
Fred Weiner set the tone for the award presentations by talking about
how they reflect TDI's legacy. The awards are named for pioneers in the
technology and telecommunications movement, representing the successes of
present leaders who are working to make changes and fighting for access.
"I think it also reflects hope and optimism for the future, because
technology continues to change and evolve. With holographic technology and
colonization of the moon, we could be seeing VRS interpreters coming from
the moon. You never know. But you'll still see TDI being a part of the
plan."
Robert H. Weitbrecht
Telecommunications Access Award
Brenda Battat
Presented by Joe Duarte,
At-Large Board Member
This award is named for Robert Weitbrecht, the father of TTYs. "That's
where it all began," Duarte noted. "TDI celebrates his achievement; all
our access today started with this gentleman. We give this award to an
outstanding person who has contributed to our lives in terms of
accessibility."
Duarte called Brenda Battat "one of my heroes" for her hard work on
behalf of people who are hard of hearing at the Hearing Loss Association
of America (HLAA).
"I feel like I have a link to this award, not just because it's for
telecommunications, but also because Robert Weitbrecht was an astronomer,
" Battat said. "My son is also an astronomer."
She thanked the many members of HLAA chapters and state association who
came to the luncheon to support her, and lauded Claude Stout for being "a
wonderful bridge between deaf and hard of hearing people and groups."
Battat said that she treasures her time working with him.
H. Latham Breunig Humanitarian
Award
Sheri Farinha-Mutti
Presented by Claude Stout, TDI
Executive Director
This award is named for TDI's first Executive Director, who founded the
teletypewriter distribution committee, along with his wife, Nancy, and
Jess Smith in the city of Indianapolis. "His office really started in his
basement at home," Stout noted.
Sheri Farinha-Mutti, the Executive Director of NorCal Center in
Sacramento, first got her exposure to 9-1-1 issues when her son fell and
hurt himself and she could not get help by calling 9-1-1. After
Farinha-Mutti ended up taking him to the hospital on her own, her outrage
led her to a 14-year quest for access to 9-1-1 for all people who are deaf
and hard of hearing.
"She will not take no for an answer," Stout said. "As a result, TDI
asked her to set up an E9-1-1 Stakeholder Council and she serves as the
Chair. Her dogged persistence and passion brought us to where we are
today. Her leadership and persistence [resulted in a petition] of 5,500
signatures to make video relay services mandatory. We also honor her for
being a role model for consumer advocates...she always keeps consumer
interests at heart."
In accepting the award, Farinha-Mutti thanked the TDI team for its
support in her advocacy work. "I don't know everything I need to know
about Video Relay Service or E9-1-1. I only know what I do know by all of
your expertise; each and every one of you have taught me. And what you
teach me is simply to run with it. Thank you, Claude, for your endless,
tireless effort and leadership."
James C. Marsters Promotion
Award
Nanci Linke-Ellis
Presented by Lori Breslow, TDI
Treasurer
James Marsters is still alive but was unable to attend the luncheon.
"He started out as an orthodontist and became a key player helping Robert
Weitbrecht to set up and find ways to use the TTY," Breslow said. "This
award is given to an individual who has focused on improving accessibility
to telecommunications and media in the United States through promotion,
marketing, or public relations."
Nanci Linke-Ellis set up Tripod in 1982 for the purpose of distributing
open captioned movies around the country. She later developed InSight
Cinema, where she serves as Executive Director, and continues to promote
access to open captioned films. She and her husband live in souther
California.
"I am a newcomer to the deaf and hard of hearing community," Linke-Ellis
said. "I never met another person with hearing loss until 1993, and it was
then that I realized I wasn't alone in this world."
She saw her first captioned movie at a Tripod premiere. Then technology
led to her first cochlear implant. "It allowed me to be able to decide
what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and that was to put deaf and
hard of hearing people into movie theaters."
Linke-Ellis found her family through her involvement in TDI, ALDA, AG
Bell, NAD and HLAA and thanked them for their support, with particular
thanks to her husband, "the love of my life". She expressed hope that with
the advent of digital we will see no barrier thanks to captioning and
other forms of technology.
