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November 3, 2005

League For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Opens New Office In Clarksville

From: League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Nov 3, 2005

For more information:
Sharon Limpus
615-599-0080/615-554-9938 (cell)
sharon.limpus@comcast.net


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEAGUE FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
OPENS NEW OFFICE IN CLARKSVILLE

Agency strengthens its presence in Northern Tennessee, Southern Kentucky

[Nashville, Tenn. – November 3, 2005] – The League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Nashville, Tenn., has opened a new satellite office in Clarksville, Tenn., to better serve area residents receive interpreting services.

The office is located at the United Way of Clarksville-Montgomery County, 1300 Madison Street. It offers qualified, onsite interpreting services from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. each Wednesday to any Deaf or Hard of Hearing resident in neighboring counties or Southern Kentucky.

Offsite interpreting services are available by appointment through the League’s main office in Nashville. Walk-in interpreting services are also available at the League’s Nashville office from
7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Emergency services are available 24/7.

“The League has always served Montgomery and surrounding counties as a part of our service area, but this new satellite office provides area residents with an alternative and increases our presence in the area for those who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” said Les Hutchinson, Ph.D., president/CEO, League. “We are proud to become a member agency of the United Way of Clarksville-Montgomery County and to have the support of the Clarksville Chamber in establishing our office.”

Sharon Wilson, NAD III, CT, provides onsite interpreting services. She has been an interpreter for 10 years and joined the League in 2001. Wilson holds two certifications for interpreting. One is from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certification of Transliteration and the other is from the National Association of the Deaf Level 3 Certification (Generalist). Wilson attended Jacksonville State University for Special Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is currently a student at Austin Peay State University. She will graduate this December.

Wilson’s family has numerous ties to Fort Campbell through its military service to our country. Her father is Retired Army SFC George W. Cox who served for 20 years. Her brother, Retired Sgt. Harold W. Cox, served in Desert Storm with a 115th National Guard unit from Erin, Tenn.

“My brother-in-law and father-in-law were also stationed at Fort Campbell for training before they were deployed to Iraq,” said Wilson. “In many ways, Fort Campbell is a part of our family.”

The Clarksville office is only the second satellite office opened by the League. The other one is in Williamson County.

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“Residents from the southern portion of our service area find the Williamson County office to be a convenient alternative to coming to our Nashville office for interpreting services,” said Hutchinson. “It began with services four hours, one day per week. It has expanded to four hours, two days per week.”

Hutchinson added that the League will continue to evaluate the need for interpreting and other services that it can provide to the community in Clarksville. As funding allows, the office hours could be expanded.

“We are grateful to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and those who serve them for their support and interest in the League’s expansion into the Clarksville area,” he noted.

The League has served the Montgomery County/Clarksville area and surrounding counties for nearly 80 years as part of its purpose as the sole provider of qualified interpreting and comprehensive services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the Middle Tennessee region and parts of Southern Kentucky.

For information on the Clarksville office or interpreting services, contact Wilson at 931-801-4039 (V/TTY) or sw@ldhh.org. For more information about the League, visit www.leagueforthedeaf.com.

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