The history of CCHD dates back to 1926, when a small group of deaf and hard of hearing individuals from Milwaukee began gathering together on a regular basis to socialize and discuss topics of the day. In 1927, an idea to create a more formal organization was given life, when two neighbors, Herman H. Beyer and Father Stephen Klopfer, began discussing the needs of d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the Milwaukee area and what could be done to help those faced with the unique challenges of hearing loss. Mr. Beyer knew first hand about the difficulties of life with hearing loss, since he was hard of hearing himself and wore a hearing aid. Father Klopfer, a dedicated teacher at St. John’s School for the Deaf, also held a strong interest in helping the deaf and hard of hearing. Eventually, the discussions between these two neighbors resulted in the official formation of the Milwaukee League for the Hard of Hearing on October 28, 1927.
The first meeting of the new League was held at the Milwaukee Journal Building. Twenty people joined the new organization and elected Mr. Beyer as its first president. The purpose agreed upon at that time was to provide a “center for the deafened where social intercourse and opportunity for mutual inspiration and helpfulness may be encouraged and provided, and to be an active instrument of helpfulness to the deafened in every way.”
During the 1940's, great strides were made toward developing the organization as it exists today. In 1944, the agency was incorporated and the name was changed to the Milwaukee Society for the Hard of Hearing, and then shortly thereafter changed again to the Milwaukee Hearing Society. Programs were established for the d/Deaf and hard of hearing such as lipreading and auditory training classes, a hearing aid loan program, classes for preschoolers as well as grade school and high school students, and parent education classes.
From the 1950's until 1993, the organization continued to thrive and strengthen its programs for those with hearing loss by adding staff members and increasing its financial base. In 1994, the name was again changed to the current Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in an effort to more adequately describe the services provided and populations served at the agency. A new Mission Statement, to provide and promote state-of-the-art services and technologies that enhance the quality of life of individuals with hearing loss, was also adopted to reflect the changing times and broader focus of the agency. The next several years also saw the development of three new programs to further expand the reach of the agency. UniversaLink, the assistive technology program, was established to meet the needs of individuals seeking assistive devices for their home and workplace. CommunicationLink, the interpreter coordination service, was added to meet the extensive need in our community for qualified sign language interpreters. Finally, a unique collaboration was established with the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee to enable the CDHH to provide a full range of audiological services to its clients from certified Audiologists, who worked from both the UW-Milwaukee campus and at CDHH.
On October 1, 2005, one of the organization’s long-time dreams was finally realized – the Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing moved into a home of its own on National Avenue in West Allis. The new location provided many benefits, ranging from ample parking to improved bus service, from prominent signage to an outdoor play area for the Center’s youngest clients. Additionally, the Center’s collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to provide audiological services was officially renamed Community Audiology Services, and the increased space at the new building allowed for additional staff and audiological testing equipment. Complete hearing testing and evaluations as well as hearing aids and custom hearing protection devices were finally available in one location – at the Center. CDHH had truly become one-stop-shop for services and products related to hearing loss.
At this new location, the Center also introduced a new long-distance Auditory-Verbal Therapy program for children with hearing loss in other parts of the state (and country) who do not have access to a Certified Auditory Verbal Therapist to help them develop spoken language and auditory skills. Provided using the internet and a web camera, the Center was one of the first places in the country to provide this groundbreaking services for deaf and hard of hearing children.
In 2010 the agency saw another major change when the Center's name was changed to the Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness. The primary reason for the name change was to broaden the agency’s mission so it could better respond to the changing needs and requirements in the community. And, to enable the Center to continue to thrive and remain a leader in helping children and adults overcome the challenges posed by hearing loss as well as other language or communication disorders. Under this new name, the Center will continue to provide all of the services that it is known for and will continue to build on its commitment to ensuring equal access to language, communication and education for all members of the community.
The Center's new mission is to help infants, children and adults reach their fullest potential by eliminating communication and language barriers through personalized services, technology and education.
From its modest beginnings as a support group for hard of hearing individuals, the Center for Communication, Hearing & Deafness has grown to become the primary resource for those with hearing loss throughout Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. The Center is grateful to all who have supported the agency throughout its long history and looks forward to the new challenges and opportunities ahead. In 2011, the Center looks forward to celebrating its 85th Anniversary.
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