ADARA Conference Highlights Texas Services and Texans<\/p>\n
By Paul Nixon, DARS Communication Specialist<\/p>\n
It was an emotional and surprised David Myers who was given the
\nhighest honor of the 2009 National ADARA Conference in San Antonio on
\nApril 18th. The DARS\u2019 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Director was
\nawarded the 2009 Boyce R. Williams Award, which recognizes those who
\nhave impacted and improved the lives of people who are deaf and hard
\nof hearing.<\/p>\n
The recognition deeply touched David because of the award\u2019s
\nnamesake, Boyce Williams, who had befriended and mentored David in his
\nrehabilitation career.<\/p>\n
David explained, \u201cWhen I was a student at Gallaudet I had no idea
\nwhat I wanted to do after graduation. One evening I met Boyce who was
\non campus for a board meeting (he was the first ever deaf member of
\nthe Gallaudet Board) and we talked a while and he invited me to visit
\nhim in his office.\u201d<\/p>\n
David said that Mr. Williams was credited with increasing the number
\nand quality of services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing
\nbetween 1950 and 1980. Mr. Williams encouraged David to begin a career
\nin rehabilitation and the two remained close friends. Mr. Williams
\ndied in 1998.<\/p>\n
In addition to recognizing one of our own, the Conference shined a
\nbright spotlight on DARS’ Division of Rehabiitation Services (DRS) and
\nOffice for Deafn and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) because of the
\nnational exposure to an organization of deaf and hard of hearing
\nprofessionals. Doug Dittfurth of DARS\/DHHS was the Conference\u2019s
\nchair and was assisted by staffers Angela Feltner (DRS), Megan Mullins
\n(DHHS), Ann Horn (DHHS), Randi Turner (DHHS), and Jamie Jones (DRS).<\/p>\n
The Conference also recognized Austinite Billy Collins, Jr, who
\nreceived ADARA\u2019s Legislative Award. Billy was honored for his
\nefforts to pass legislation that positively impacts people who are
\ndeaf and hard of hearing. Although now retired, he continues to assist
\nthe deaf community and interpreters with educating the legislature on
\npertinent issues, an effort that he began while with the legacy Texas
\nCommission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was a \u201ctear-jerking
\nmoment\u201d for David, Billy, and the rest of the DARS DHHS staff
\nattending the conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cIncreasing the quantity and improving the quality of services to
\nthe deaf and hard of hearing was one of the biggest challenges we
\nfaced when we were forming the Department of Assistive and
\nRehabilitative Services in 2004,\u201d said DARS Commissioner Terry
\nMurphy about the momentum of successes in David\u2019s Office.
\n\u201cPartnering and teamwork throughout the state has paid handsome
\ndividends.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ADARA is a national organization of professionals networking for
\nexcellence in service delivery with individuals who are deaf or hard
\nof hearing. ADARA works toward its goals by enhancing the professional
\ncompetencies of its membership, expanding opportunities for networking
\namong ADARA colleagues, and supporting positive public policies for
\nindividuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n