 ID: Blue background, white DSHS Logo, yellow text: Happy Retirement Penny Allen. Tap Play to watch in ASL
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Happy Retirement to Penny Allen – Longtime TED Program Trainer
Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing extends our gratitude to Penny Allen, longtime Telecommunications Equipment Distribution contract program trainer. After 24 years of working in partnership with Kelly Robison, TED program manager, Penny has announced her retirement.
“While I was sad when Penny told me she had decided to retire, I’m also grateful that she stuck with us for as long as she did,” said Kelly. “Her commitment to the community we serve has been truly inspiring.”
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Penny’s lived experience as a person with hearing loss guided her work as she partnered with the TED program to establish a strong training team. She helped to recruit and mentor other trainers and trained new contractors. Penny also tested new devices to determine suitability for the TED Program device catalog, doing in-depth assessments to find the strengths and weaknesses of each device.
Penny is recognized as a respected subject matter expert in the community. She began her advocacy and education journey in Kitsap County at Self Help for Hard of Hearing - now known as Hearing Loss Association of America - where she organized and led a chapter. Additionally, she served as an advisor to the national SHHH Board, served as the President of HLAA-Washington State, and served as President of the Cochlear Implant Support Group of Tacoma/Pierce County. In 2002, she hosted the International SHHH Convention in Seattle.
Penny’s sharp skills are also on display in her passion projects for sewing and plant propagation, where she is active in community interest groups. Her experience in ensuring communication accessibility continues in all that she does.
“I will be forever grateful to her for her service and friendship,” said Kelly.
We wish Penny well in her retirement!
Accessibility: We are committed to equitable and inclusive access. Events will be in ASL with spoken English interpretation and captioning services provided. Please contact us at [email protected] for other accommodation requests.
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Who We Are: The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State.
What We Do: ODHH operates under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and is entrusted with fulfilling its legislative mandate outlined in RCW 43.20A.725. ODHH’s work includes:
Advocacy: ODHH advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled. The Office works to eliminate communication barriers and promote equal opportunities in various service areas, including training, consultation, contract management, information and referrals, and resources to promote communication equity.
Coordination: ODHH is a centralized resource. The Office collaborates with governmental, business, and community stakeholders to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address and ensure that state services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.
Contact Us!
800-422-7930 Voice
360-339-7382 VP
[email protected]
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