HONORABLE MENTION
Advances We've Made

By Thomas Jenkins
Anchorage, Alaska

Technology helps deaf and hard of hearing people function more independently and responsibly, become more aware, and have more enjoyment.
Deaf and hard of hearing people now have vibrating bed alarms. They use these so they can wake up and go to their jobs or schools. Also, they use TTYs for calls so they don't have to depend on hearing people to call someone for them anymore.
Closed captions help them know about activities and the news about what's happening in the world. Closed captions also help deaf and hard of hearing people improve their reading and English skills.
Technology provides deaf and hard of hearing people with more enjoyment too. Closed captions help them understand what's happening in the movies and on TV shows, and makes the programs more fascinating. They also enjoy chatting on the TTY with their friends around the world.
Technology today is really able to help deaf and hard of hearing people in the world. The advances have been wonderful.