Meet Board Member Nomination: Michele Michaels

Michele Michaels, B.A., CPM, is the Hard of Hearing Program Manager for the State of Arizona at the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (ACDHH). In her role at ACDHH she manages the Hard of Hearing Program with 2 team members providing assistance to over 1 million Arizonans who have hearing loss. Through the provision of the free telephone program, the free Arizona Relay Service, frequent trainings and individual advocacy, the quality of life for consumers with hearing loss is improved and people are empowered to make positive changes in their lives. The Hard of Hearing Program also links consumers to hearing aid resources and information and assists in navigating the hearing healthcare system. Michele provides guidance and information to other government agencies, corporations, non-profits, and the religious community. She supports the executive management team with research and analysis, data collection, systemic change, agency collaboration and representation, and report development. As a national leader and passionate advocate for persons with hearing loss, Michele frequently speaks at conferences and advises colleagues on initiatives in other states and across the nation.

Michele began working in the field of hearing loss 26 years ago after a 12-year career in broadcasting. A hard of hearing person herself and the daughter of a parent who progressively lost her hearing, Michele understands the challenges and opportunities inherent in hearing loss. Michele graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Human Communication and a minor in Anthropology from Arizona State University. In 2011 she graduated from ASU’s Certified Public Manager program. Michele serves as the Secretary on the Board of the national Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program Association (TEDPA), and is a member of the national HLAA Get in the Hearing Loop Committee. She is a member of the Arizona Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging: Aging in Community Committee, and holds a position on the Speech and Hearing Professionals Advisory Committee at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Other involvements include being a member of the Arizona Loans for Assistive Technology committee as well as serving as a grant reviewer for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing grant at the Arizona Community Foundation. Michele recently completed 13 years as a Director on the Board and member of the Advisory Council for the Area Agency on Aging, Region I. Michele holds memberships in the Hearing Loss Association of America, the Association of Late-Deafened Adults, and the International Hearing Society.