We formally invite you to join us for the Professional/Motivational Luncheon with Ms. Haben Girma, Esquire at the 22nd Biennial Conference of Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. in Bethesda, Maryland.  The Conference takes place at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, which is on 5701 Marinelli Road North Bethesda, MD, just across from the White Flint Metro Station. On Friday, July 28, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, TDI will be hosting the Professional/Motivational Luncheon.


Here’s a bit of background on Ms. Haben Girma, Esquire:

Haben Girma has earned recognition as a White House Champion of Change, Forbes 30 under 30, and BBC Women of Africa Hero. The first Deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School, she advocates for equal access to information for people with disabilities.  She also holds a B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology from Lewis & Clark College.  Based in San Francisco, she travels the world working as a disability and inclusion consultant.  She combines her knowledge of law, sociology, and technology to teach clients the benefits of fully accessible products and services.  Her insights help to expand our thinking, creating lasting, positive change among people and communities.  Because of her disability rights advocacy she has been honored by President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, and many others.

We cordially invited Ms. Girma to speak at the Luncheon, because TDI commends every possible effort on the part of the industry and government in giving qualified individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, including those who are deafblind or deaf and have a mobile disability, equal opportunities in the workplace and other community life areas.  TDI values working with a number of deafblind consumer advocacy groups to raise the high standards of first-class American life for this special constituency group.  Some of us do not realize that this special niche is often the last to consider their needs and issues as we decide the next moves in disability access policy, and needs assessment/field testing of new, accessible products and services.  The topic of her luncheon address is most appropriately chosen as:  “The Universal Benefits of Accessible Design.”

It’s a great opportunity to meet with Ms. Girma, as well as others!  We would be deeply honored if you join us and Ms. Girma at the Professional/Motivational Luncheon at the Conference on July 28. Admission is $50.00 per person to attend the luncheon, and you need not register for the Conference to attend the Luncheon.  That includes a plated lunch, watching Haben’s inspiring speech, and socializing with many others attending the luncheon.  This opportunity is definitely a bargain to be had!  If you’re interested, please head to our website to sign up:

While we strongly encourage you to attend the full conference, if you prefer to only attend the Professional/Motivational Luncheon, you absolutely can!  Don’t forget, the exhibits are also free to see!  The exhibits are open on Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29.  If you attend all the booths in the exhibit hall, you will be eligible for incredible prize drawings, such as an IMAC, two Apple Watches, two MacBooks, and one IPad, and threevAmazon Fire tablets.

This three-day Conference offers you and others a wonderful experience and opportunities for personal/professional development.  You learn about the latest in public policy for disability access, to network with others from with business and government, and to visit the exhibits that give you the latest information and hands-on experience with accessible products and services.  You meet the industry leaders that have worked with TDI and its sister consumer groups in the last two years on access topics such as relay services, emergency communications, wireless communications and information, and captioning of video programming.


Conference Program (schedule of events): https://tdiforaccess.org/2017-conf-agenda/

Conference Registration: https://tdiforaccess.org/2017-conference/

If you still need information or support to make Conference plans, feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected].  We will then contact you, and help you until you are completely satisfied.  We thank you very much for considering our invitation to participate in the Conference.

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