The TDI Awards

Every two years, at its biennial conference, TDI recognizes and honors those who have made a significant impact in communications and information technology access for people who are deaf and hard hearing. Bestowed by the TDI Board of Directors, every two years during the TDI Bienniel Conference, TDI recognizes and honors six individuals and/or companies for humanitarian, promotion, engineering, public policy, access, and lifetime achievement.

These individuals, organizations and companies are nominated by the general public, our members, and their colleagues.

Anyone can nominate a person or company for consideration of a TDI Award. Nominations open during an odd-numbered year (e.g. 2019, 2021) in the Spring, and are due by the second Friday in May. The TDI awards committee will review all nominees and recognize the person or company during the TDI biennial conference.

The H. Latham Breunig Award for Humanitarian Efforts

This award is given to individuals, organizations, or companies who have made outstanding contributions to the program or activities of TDI.

In making its decision, the Awards committee will examine the nominee’s personal and professional contribution to TDI.

2021 – Chrisopher Soukup

The Robert H. Weitbrecht Award for Telecommunications Access

This award is given to individuals, organizations, or companies who have made outstanding contributions by any means to improve accessibility in telecommunications and media.

In making its decision, the Awards committee will examine the nominee’s personal and professional contribution to telecommunication access for deaf and hard of hearing people.

2021 – Zoom Video Communications

The Andrew Saks Award for Engineering 

This award is given to individuals, organizations, or companies who have made outstanding contributions in improving accessibility in telecommunications or media through efforts in design, electronics, or engineering. The award may not necessarily be awarded every two years.

In making its decision, the Awards committee will examine the nominee’s personal and professional innovation in improving or enhancing telecommunication access for deaf and hard of hearing people.

2021 – Joe Duarte

The James C. Marsters Award for Promotion 

This award is given to individuals, organizations, or companies who have made outstanding contributions in improving accessibility in telecommunications or media through promotion, marketing, or public relations. The award may not necessarily be awarded every two years.

In making its decision, the Awards committee will examine the nominee’s personal and professional innovation in raising public awareness to create, use, or implement accessible communication and information technologies.

2021 – DPAN.tv

The Karen Peltz Strauss Award for Public Policy

This award is given to individuals who has made outstanding contributions in improving accessibility in telecommunications, media, and information technology through efforts in public policy development. The award may not necessarily be awarded every two years.

In making its decision, the Awards committee will examine the nominee’s personal and professional public policy proposals and its inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing people.

2021 – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network (DHHCAN)

The I. Lee Brody Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is given to individuals who has devoted time and energy over an extended number of years to improve accessibility in telecommunications, media and information technology.

In making its decision, the Awards committee will examine the nominee’s personal and professional lifetime contributions in communication and information access for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

2021 – Claude Stout