Presented by
Hyatt Regency Rochester
Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Join us for an experience to remember where you will meet other people with hearing loss, learn in the most communication accessible environment and enjoy the sights of Rochester: a world of art, theater, music, photography, history, nature and play! In the meantime, take a look at the video below for a glimpse of all the beauty that is Rochester, New York! Registration is open!
Hyatt Regency Rochester
The HLAA room block at the Hyatt Regency Rochester is open! Simply go to the reservation site, select your arrival and departure dates and you’ll be on your way before you know it! See more details on the Hotel/Travel page.
Rebecca Alexander, Keynote Speaker
Breathe In Peace, Breathe Out Fear: A Mantra for Self-Acceptance
As a teenager, Rebecca learned that by the age of 30 she would be completely blind and deaf due to a rare genetic disorder called Usher syndrome (type III). How did a diagnosis like this motivate Rebecca not simply to survive but to thrive in the face of unimaginable loss? Rebecca shares her deeply moving and personal journey of loss, resilience, perseverance, and hope that has led her to an illuminated life filled with tremendous meaning, hard work, intimacy, fulfillment, and self-acceptance.
Come hear Rebecca talk about her inspiring journey at the Opening Session on Thursday, June 20 at 9 a.m.
Rebecca Alexander is a psychotherapist, disability rights advocate, group fitness instructor, and extreme athlete. She is also the author of Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found.
Rebecca is a flourishing full-time psychotherapist with two master’s degrees from Columbia University in Public Health and Clinical Social Work. Rebecca received post-graduate training at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy at the Center for the Study of Anorexia and Bulimia and her psychodynamic psychotherapy training from the American Institute for Psychoanalysis. Rebecca is also certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and is fluent in American Sign Language and Tactile Sign Language. She is an athlete who teaches indoor cycling, HIIT (high intensity interval training) classes, and regularly competes in extreme endurance races. Most notably, she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, swam from Alcatraz to shore in the San Francisco Bay, participated in the 600-mile San Francisco to Los Angeles AIDS Lifecycle ride, and regularly competes in the Civilian Military Combine (CMC) for extreme athletes.
Rebecca has been featured in an array of media outlets including The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, Morning Joe, The Daily Rundown, One-On-One with Steve Adubato, Megyn Kelly TODAY, The Dr Oz Show, The Meredith Vieira Show, The New York Times, Huffington Post, New York Post, USA Today, ABC News, NBC News, Fox News, ESPN, People, Shape Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, Marie Claire, Glamour magazine, Glamour UK, Cosmopolitan, The Daily Mail, Mercury News and various others. Rebecca has been honored with numerous awards including the American Foundation for the Blind Helen Keller Achievement Award, The Disability Rights Advocates’ Eagle Award, NO LIMITS for Deaf Children Spirit of Leadership award, and the University of Michigan’s Bicentennial Award.
The Opening Session is being sponsored by
Exhibit Hall
It’s not everyday that you can experience the latest technology and services for people with hearing loss under one roof! The hall is open for free to the public – just pick up a badge at the Convention Registration Desk.
Research Symposium, The Latest on Genetics and Hearing Loss
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from world-renowned geneticists who will present the latest research on hearing loss that occurs later in life, and what can be done for families who have inherited the gene. In a rapidly-moving field, much has been accomplished since the last symposium on genetics in 1999. There will also be a Genetics track for workshops that will feature families with known and perceived genetic hearing loss, talking about their experiences, genetic counseling and more.
New Year, New Symposium Format
We are shaking things up next year! Beginning in 2019, the Research Symposium will be two hours with the moderator presenting a 20-minute account of why the topic is relevant to people with hearing loss. The introductory talk will lay the groundwork for the science that will be presented. After a break, the program will move on to three presentations of 20 minutes each followed by a ten-minute Q&A.
Check out the Research Symposium page for more information.
The Latest on Genetics and Hearing Loss is being supported by a grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and is sponsored by
Special Events
State and Chapter Awards Ceremony & Reception
Wednesday, June 19
The HLAA State and Chapters are the foundation of HLAA. This ceremony, on Wednesday evening, will highlight those people who have worked tirelessly in their communities to help others with hearing loss. Light fare and refreshments will be available during the State and Chapter Awards Ceremony & Reception.
Get Acquainted Party
Thursday, June 20
An annual tradition, the opening night GAP is always so much fun. See old friends, meet some new friends, and enjoy some refreshments. You don’t want to miss this so be sure to RSVP for this event on your registration. It is included in the General Package.
The GAP is sponsored by 
Night at the Museum, Off-site Event at the George Eastman Museum
Friday, June 21
The Eastman Museum is an educational institution with a mission to provide leadership in the field of photography and cinema; preserve and develop world-class collections, as well as George Eastman’s estate, a National Historic Landmark; and to serve the Greater Rochester community. Read more about the historic mansion and gardens at eastman.org
Unwind from the day’s Convention activities while you enjoy and explore this amazing property. This event is not included in the General Package, so be sure to add a ticket ($45) which includes entry to the museum, light fare, and transportation.
Cheers to 40 Years! HLAA Anniversary Celebration and Awards Gala
Join us on Saturday, June 22 and be part of a special night, paying tribute to our many accomplishments over the years, as well as honor those receiving a HLAA National award. We’ll end the evening with entertainment. Wear your special cocktail attire and be ready to have a great night!
The Cheers to 40 Years Gala is sponsored by
Event Photography Notice
Photography will occur during the HLAA2019 Convention. Photos may be used to for future marketing materials, so if you do not wish to appear in the published photos, please let us know by emailing convention@hearingloss.org.
Communication Access
Hearing loops and CART/Captioning will be in use in all workshops and plenary sessions. Sign Language Interpretation is available for all plenary sessions. You may request interpreters for specific workshops by emailing convention@hearingloss.org. All requests must be sent by May 31, 2019.
Two chapter members stood up and talked about their first-time experience at an HLAA Convention. It was so wonderful to hear their excitement and enthusiasm as they spoke of meeting so many "just like them," having everything accessible, learning so much at such a variety of workshops, loving the evening socials, and already planning to be in Minneapolis!
