Nan Asher is the Chairperson for Michigan Coalition for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People and the Executive Director for Michigan Association for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MADHH), a 78 year old state-wide agency dedicated to improving the lives of Deaf and hard of hearing citizens throughout Michigan. Nan began her career with MADHH as a board member in 2000. She was hired as the Program Manager in 2004, was promoted to the Associate Director position a year later. In 2006, she was selected to lead the Agency as its seventh Executive Director since being incorporated as a non-profit in 1951.
Previous to being hired by MADHH, Asher owned Hearing Technology Resources, LLC, and is a magna cum laude, honors graduate in the Health Administration program. Three years later, she received her Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Technology from Eastern Michigan University where she specialized in Hearing Assistive Technologies. In her early childhood years, she attended the Monroe County Hearing Impaired Program before being mainstreamed into Ypsilanti Public Schools where she graduated with honors.
Nan also serves as three-time Governor’s Office Appointee to the Advisory Board of the Michigan Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which is housed inside the Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns. Asher is also a charter member of the Hearing Loss Association of Ann Arbor, and an affiliate member of the Yale Lions Club. She also serves on the Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund committee, managed by the United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan, and has started a three year term on the Council for Clinical Specialty Recognition for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) which will end in December 2011.
Nan has years of speaking experience and has given presentations and training to Emergency First Responders regarding communication access for Deaf and hard of hearing people. Nan is also working with the Agencies on Aging and the Michigan Assisted Living Association about the impact of undiagnosed hearing loss on the elderly. Nan has received numerous honors and awards for her advocacy efforts, including: Outstanding Hearing Technology Resource Specialist from the Michigan Hearing Loss Association, Gold Medallion Award from Eastern Michigan University, and Outstanding Advocate of the Year Award from the Michigan Council of Independent Living.
Nan in the News - Education and Work: Interview by Julie Eckhardt
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