Russell Misheloff has been selected as the Hamilton Relay 2021 Better Hearing Speech Month Recognition Award winner for the District of Columbia. Russ has been a tireless advocate for those with hearing loss in and around the District.
He has served as the president of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) DC Chapter from 2014 through May 2021. During this time, Russ built a vibrant chapter, attracting many to join and become engaged and educated by providing relevant and interesting speakers and presentations. Beyond attending the monthly meetings, Russ encourages the membership to take what they learn and share it in the community.
He has worked with both governmental and non-governmental agencies, service organizations and senior living communities to bring information and resources to their employees, volunteers and residents. His collaboration has been vital in the development of a visor card that drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use when interacting with law enforcement.
Russ’s advocacy efforts have focused on encouraging public venues including several DC Public Library branches to provide assistive listening technologies as well as the creation of the DC Office of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. Russ is an annual presenter at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at American University and recently graduated from the Peer Mentoring Program at Gallaudet University.
Along with his peers and those se serves, we commend Russell for encouraging and empowering those around him and are proud to present him with the Hamilton Relay 2021 Better Hearing Speech Month Recognition Award for the District of Columbia.