In honor of National Deaf Awareness Week, Hamilton Relay is pleased to recognize Betty Hebard as the 2009 Deaf/Hard of Hearing leader for the State of Iowa.
Hebard was recognized September 24th at the Hearing Loss Association of Central Iowa's monthly meeting in Des Moines.
Betty Hebard has been active as an advocate and leader in the Hard of Hearing and Deaf communities for over 20 years. She has been significantly hard of hearing since a young age and served as a surgical nurse for many years. Long before the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted, Betty pursued a career as a registered nurse (RN). She was one of the first nurses to graduate with a hearing loss making her a pioneer for others with hearing loss who also wished to pursue a medical career. Since the ADA, Betty has worked hard to ensure that education and knowledge of accessibility and assistive technology is available to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
Some of Betty's many accomplishments include:
- Hearing Loss Association-Central Iowa – President, Newsletter Editor, Fundraising Chair for purchase of assistive devices for meetings, National Convention Delegate several times, Program Chair; serving multiple roles at any given time – since 1990
- Des Moines Police Deaf/Hard of Hearing Awareness Training Video planning committee – 1992
- Hospital Coalition Accessibility Advisory Committee – 1990's
- Participant in several projects sponsored by Deaf Services Commission of Iowa, such as Junior Commissioners – since 1990's
- Testified on the Judicial Task Force for Iowa to help make Iowa courtrooms accessible – mid-1990's
- Iowa Hotel/Motel Accessibility advisory panelist – mid-1990's
- Capitol View Elementary School volunteer, working with children with special needs and children who are hard of hearing – 2005–2008
- Work with Deaf-Blind on Quality Assurance committee at Wesley Acres Retirement Community
- Mercy Steering Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access – 2006-2007
- Presenter at Iowa Hearing Aid Professionals Fall Conference about the mission of the Hearing Loss Association, with Dr. Sandra Hobson – September 2008
- Scottish Rite Park Apartments Manager of thrift shop – 2006 - present
- Graduate of University of Iowa Nursing School in spite of severe hearing loss; career as one of the first surgical RN's with severe hearing loss, retiring at age 65
- Wife of Church minister (Rev. Alden Hebard), mother of 4, and grandmother
- Betty volunteers a large amount of her time and resources in bringing information on hearing loss to the community through her involvement with a variety of clubs, associations, committees and contacts both in the Des Moines metro area and throughout the state of Iowa.
Betty was nominated by her peers for this award and we congratulate her for her efforts and accomplishments in Iowa.
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 16 states, the District of Columbia, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands. More information is available at hamiltonrelay.com.