ADARA Conference Highlights Texas Services and Texans
By Paul Nixon, DARS Communication Specialist
It was an emotional and surprised David Myers who was given the
highest honor of the 2009 National ADARA Conference in San Antonio on
April 18th. The DARS’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Director was
awarded the 2009 Boyce R. Williams Award, which recognizes those who
have impacted and improved the lives of people who are deaf and hard
of hearing.
The recognition deeply touched David because of the award’s
namesake, Boyce Williams, who had befriended and mentored David in his
rehabilitation career.
David explained, “When I was a student at Gallaudet I had no idea
what I wanted to do after graduation. One evening I met Boyce who was
on campus for a board meeting (he was the first ever deaf member of
the Gallaudet Board) and we talked a while and he invited me to visit
him in his office.”
David said that Mr. Williams was credited with increasing the number
and quality of services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing
between 1950 and 1980. Mr. Williams encouraged David to begin a career
in rehabilitation and the two remained close friends. Mr. Williams
died in 1998.
In addition to recognizing one of our own, the Conference shined a
bright spotlight on DARS’ Division of Rehabiitation Services (DRS) and
Office for Deafn and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) because of the
national exposure to an organization of deaf and hard of hearing
professionals. Doug Dittfurth of DARS/DHHS was the Conference’s
chair and was assisted by staffers Angela Feltner (DRS), Megan Mullins
(DHHS), Ann Horn (DHHS), Randi Turner (DHHS), and Jamie Jones (DRS).
The Conference also recognized Austinite Billy Collins, Jr, who
received ADARA’s Legislative Award. Billy was honored for his
efforts to pass legislation that positively impacts people who are
deaf and hard of hearing. Although now retired, he continues to assist
the deaf community and interpreters with educating the legislature on
pertinent issues, an effort that he began while with the legacy Texas
Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was a “tear-jerking
moment” for David, Billy, and the rest of the DARS DHHS staff
attending the conference.
“Increasing the quantity and improving the quality of services to
the deaf and hard of hearing was one of the biggest challenges we
faced when we were forming the Department of Assistive and
Rehabilitative Services in 2004,” said DARS Commissioner Terry
Murphy about the momentum of successes in David’s Office.
“Partnering and teamwork throughout the state has paid handsome
dividends.”
The ADARA is a national organization of professionals networking for
excellence in service delivery with individuals who are deaf or hard
of hearing. ADARA works toward its goals by enhancing the professional
competencies of its membership, expanding opportunities for networking
among ADARA colleagues, and supporting positive public policies for
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.