In honor of National Deaf Awareness Week, Hamilton Relay is pleased to recognize Dean Kelly as the 2009 Deaf/Hard of Hearing leader for the State of Wisconsin.
Dean Kelly is no stranger to the Wisconsin Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. His participation and involvement in organizations, programs and events have gone far to touch and benefit the lives of many people, whether Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Hearing.
Dean has been a member of the Madison Association of the Deaf for several years, a member of the Southern Lakes Association of the Deaf (SLAD) for more than 30 years, and was a long-time member of the now defunct National Fraternal Society of the Deaf. He is also a member of the Greater Milwaukee Association of the Deaf (GMAD). Dean goes the extra mile to ensure that the organizations in which he's involved stay viable, so when membership numbers in SLAD dropped, Dean worked diligently to keep the club intact. Membership numbers have grown and are still growing today and many members have complimented Dean on his motivation and accomplishments towards new membership. Around the club, Dean is known as a "Jack of all Trades" and does maintenance work and renovations along with other club members. He has also been an enormous help in preserving historical artifacts and pictures and has taken the time to archive and/or install these items on the walls of the clubhouse.
Together with his wife, Susie, Dean established the Wisconsin School for the Deaf Alumni Association, and was instrumental in establishing the "Four Deaf Club Picnic" in collaboration with other deaf clubs. Dean has chaired many events, including the aforementioned Four Deaf Club Picnic which was attended by over 2,000 people from Wisconsin as well as from other states. Not only does the Picnic provide an opportunity to have fun and network with others, the event also helps raise scholarship funds for graduating students of the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, and for athletes who are Deaf through the Deaf Olympics.
Dean has also been involved in sign language classes for the hearing community to improve communication with individuals who are Deaf. Dean's many efforts within the Deaf community have been recognized by the Green Bay Packers Community Quarterback Club. As a result of his efforts, Dean was one of ten volunteers to receive a Green Bay Packers Community Quarterback Award and a $2,000 grant for SLAD.
Dean has been described as, "dedicated, compassionate, considerate, friendly and helpful," and we are pleased to recognize his extraordinary efforts in making a difference in the lives of others.
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 (CapTel®), and Internet Relay. Hamilton provides telecommunications relay and/or CapTel services to 16 states, the District of Columbia, the Island of Saipan and the Virgin Islands. All services are available at hamiltonrelay.com.