2022 Affiliate Excellence Award – National Association of the Deaf
Salem, Oregon – Bridges Oregon is proud to announce that they are the recipients of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) 2022 Affiliate Excellence Award for the exceptional commitment in increasing equal access and ongoing advocacy for many Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community members in our country.
The award ceremony took place on July 2, 2022, during the NAD’s 56th biennial conference in Orlando, Florida. The NAD Awards Program was established to recognize outstanding individuals, groups, and agencies who have demonstrated discipline, vision, and passion. The Awards Program also provides an opportunity to reward community leaders who are truly dedicated to making a difference.
Founded in 2017, Bridges Oregon became the first and only culturally specific and responsive nonprofit organization in Oregon to provide advocacy and accompaniment services to individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing in their heritage languages. For many years, Oregon stood as the only state of the 12 western states with no direct-support services available to these culturally and linguistically marginalized communities. Funding was made possible by the 2015 Oregon Legislature to implement a study and a final report of Oregon’s Community-based Needs Assessment, which was published in December 2016. We opened our victim services in August 2021 and we have served over 55 Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing survivors to date and the program has not even celebrated its one-year anniversary. Bridges Oregon is currently developing Oregon’s first Communication Facilitator (CF) statewide services to individuals who are DeafBlind and Deaf with additional disabilities (for example, an inability to use their upper extremities) that may affect their ability to communicate through video. The CF uses their receptive skills to relay or convey that message through telecommunications.
“A quick snapshot history of our data since July 1, 2021 will give you an idea about this growing organization. We currently have four programs available to our community, which, so far, is serving 347 clients. We have had over 3,800 new visitors to our website,” said Chad A. Ludwig, Executive Director of Bridges Oregon and a past recipient of the 2014 NAD Award: Robert M. Greenmun Memorial Award. This award recognizes an individual who is a State Association member who has demonstrated excellence in volunteer, leadership, and contributions to his State Association.
“I am proud of our staff, the community, contractors, funders and donors, and board members for working successfully together to create this much-needed social and direct service to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Oregonians, “said Chad A. Ludwig, Executive Director of Bridges Oregon.
Having an organization like Bridges Oregon on the frontlines to advocate for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Oregonians makes a difference. We need your help to stay in the fight, and to continue focusing the spotlight on the communities we serve. Please make your tax-deductible gift now by going to https://bridgesoregon.org/donate/. Thank you in advance for your support.
About Bridges Oregon:
Bridges Oregon is a nonprofit for Oregonians who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing or face other communication barriers. It is in our mission to facilitate equity, inclusiveness, and to provide a bridge to opportunities through advocacy, education, and communication.