Norbert Enos is a dedicated individual who volunteers his time to senior citizens who are deaf in the community of Surprise, Arizona. Although Norbert is retired, he continues to give back to the community by arranging various activities for senior citizens and advocating for equal access in public places for people who have hearing loss.
Norbert has been instrumental in emergency preparedness for the communities of individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as for emergency responders. He has helped teach classes in Emergency Sign Language for the Surprise Police and Fire Departments and has conducted dual training between the Surprise Police Department and the deaf community. Through his efforts, he has increased awareness and contributed to more effective communication between the two groups. Norbert has also been active in coordinating the distribution of visual smoke detectors and has assisted in the Emergency Preparedness for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summit Workshop held in Surprise.
Within his community, Norbert has been a leader in establishing additional social events for individuals who are deaf. He began a monthly Deaf Senior Citizens Social at the Surprise Senior Center and established a monthly Deaf Social at a local Starbucks. He has coordinated the "Deaf Days" event held at Surprise Stadium and assisted with promoting the annual Disability Summit to the deaf community. He is actively involved with each of these events and has been instrumental in their success.
Norbert has been a passionate advocate for open-captioning at the Surprise Ultra Star Theatre since before the theatre had even opened. He continues to watch for local open-captioned movies and informs individuals within the deaf and hard of hearing communities of when the shows are playing.
Norbert's efforts have made a huge impact on all who live within the community of Surprise and have rippled throughout the State of Arizona. He has positively impacted many people and his passion as an advocate and a leader for the deaf and hard of hearing communities has been inspirational.
We are pleased to recognize and congratulate Norbert for being selected for the 2011 Hamilton Relay Deaf Community Leader award. We extend our sincere appreciation for the difference he is making in Arizona!
This leadership recognition has been brought to you by Hamilton Relay.
About Hamilton Relay
Hamilton Relay offers a variety of services including Telecommunications Relay Services, Captioned Telephone and Internet Relay services. Hamilton provides Telecommunications Relay and/or Captioned Telephone services to 17 states, the District of Columbia, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands. More information is available at hamiltonrelay.com.