Loretta Butler is well known in the Arizona hard of hearing community for her tireless efforts in educating and advocating for those with hearing loss. She is the go-to person for various community related programs and offers her time selflessly in helping individuals who are hard of hearing understand their hearing loss and learn about the technology available to assist them.
Loretta is the Office Director at the Adult Loss of Hearing Association (ALOHA) in Tucson. She works diligently to distribute information about new products and services available to hard of hearing consumers and is excellent in facilitating peer support groups that gather weekly at ALOHA. She has spearheaded ALOHA efforts in the captioning of local TV programs and has been instrumental in promoting the "Let's Loop Tucson" initiative. This initiative, led by ALOHA, was successful in supporting increased functionality of hearing aids with a legislative bill, signed by the governor, requiring hearing care professionals to inform their patients about telecoils when purchasing hearing aids.
Along with facilitating meetings, educating on available resources for individuals with hearing loss, and leading other various efforts, Loretta writes the Hear and Now newsletter for ALOHA. This newsletter informs members of the community about upcoming events and other important information that pertains to people with hearing loss. She also writes articles that recognize deaf or hard of hearing individuals who have been role models within the community. Under Loretta's direction, ALOHA has expanded its activities to Green Valley and Sierra Vista.
Outside of ALOHA, Loretta is a volunteer member of the Hard of Hearing Task Force, an umbrella group of the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH), where she applies her experience and advises the commission on issues of importance to the hard of hearing community. She is also a member of "Tucson Citizens for Better Captions" which advocates for people with hearing loss. In September of 2002, ACDHH presented the Hard of Hearing Person of the Year award to Loretta, recognizing her for the commitment she has given to the hard of hearing community.
Arizona is fortunate to have such a compassionate person who has supported and advocated for hundreds, if not thousands, of people with hearing loss. Loretta is truly a valuable resource and leader within the Arizona community.
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 18 states, the District of Columbia, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands. More information is available at hamiltonrelay.com.