Widex USA Donates $22,000 to the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults
05-02-2019
Hauppauge, NY – February 26, 2019 – Widex USA recently donated $22,000 to the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC), a division of Helen Keller Services (HKS), as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to helping people communicate and connect. A special Widex USA promotion was held during the holiday season through the end of January 2019 that saw a portion of the proceeds of every pair of WIDEX EVOKE™ hearing aids sold benefit HKNC, which provides comprehensive vocational and independent living training to youths and adults who are deaf-blind.Widex USA initiated the promotion to commemorate the success of its bestselling line of hearing aids, WIDEX EVOKE, and to give thanks to the audiology community, its partners, and customers for their support in making WIDEX EVOKE a success.
“The response to our campaign was overwhelming,” said Jeff Geigel, President and CEO, Widex USA. “I’d like to personally thank everyone who helped make this donation possible. Not only did we reach our $20,000 goal, we exceeded it! This response truly demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the hearing loss community and we’re happy and honored to be a part of it.”
Headquartered in Sands Point, New York, HKNC was authorized by an Act of Congress in 1967 and is the only organization of its kind to provide training and resources exclusively to people age 16 and over who have combined vision and hearing loss. Students travel from across the country for on-campus training in assistive technology, vocational services, orientation and mobility, communication, and independent living.
“Over the past 52 years, we have witnessed many advancements that have improved access to communication and information for individuals who are deaf-blind,” observed HKNC Executive Director Susan Ruzenski. “Widex is a great example of how technology can enhance the quality of life for people with hearing loss. Thanks to this generous donation, we will purchase an array of updated adaptive equipment that will help participants in our programs gain marketable skills for employment as well as skills to live as independent and active members of their communities. We thank Widex and its supporters for making a difference and helping HKNC to offer the best training opportunities for individuals who are deaf-blind.”
About Widex
Widex believes in a world where there are no barriers to communication; a world where people interact freely, effortlessly and confidently. With 60 years’ experience developing state-of-the-art technology, Widex provides hearing solutions that are easy to use, seamlessly integrated in daily life and enable people to hear naturally. As one of the world’s leading hearing aid producers, Widex products are sold in more than 100 countries and employs 4,000 people worldwide. Read more at www.widex.com.
About HKNC
A division of Helen Keller Services, HKNC provides comprehensive vocational and independent living training on a national level to youths and adults who are deaf-blind. In addition to its headquarters in Sands Point, New York, HKNC maintains 10 regional offices serving New England, Mid-Atlantic, East Central, Southwest, North Central, South Central, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, and Northwest. HKNC also partners with other agencies across the United States to build their capacity to work with individuals who are deaf-blind. For more information, visit www.helenkeller.org/hknc.