Local Hearing Loss Advocate Nominated For National Award

CULVER CITY, CA — A former Culver City teacher and hearing loss advocate is nominated for a national award that honors people who make a positive impact on the hearing loss community.

Renee Polanco Lucero, who served as the director of the Echo Center in Culver City up until June of this year, is a deaf and blind person who enjoys serving her community and was nominated as an exceptional advocate in hearing aid manufacturer Oticon's Focus on People Awards for 2022.

"It's been an honor to be a part of this campaign because of the opportunity to help spread awareness about the possibilities for people who are living with hearing differences," Lucero said. "Regardless of my final place in this award process, I see this experience as a “win” just to be able to share the wonderfully unique ways that people with hearing differences positively impact the world."

Lucero said that growing up, she was usually the only kid in her school with hearing loss and who used hearing aids and always tried to blend in. She took her experiences and support from her family and a team of professionals to persevere and learn that teaching awareness helps make communities more inclusive.

Self-advocacy had always been important to her, but Lucero said her goal has been to share her knowledge and help impact children and their families that have similar experiences to herself. Currently, Lucero is working as the Chief Academic Officer at the John Tracy Center and is helping train future teachers of deaf people.

"These experiences inspired me to pursue a career that not only gave me an opportunity to channel my own personal knowledge, but also grow as a professional to better advocate on the behalf of the children and families I have served," Lucero said. "I have learned to live with my disabilities, not in spite of my disabilities. And, I hope that I can inspire others to do the same."

Lucero is one of 12 finalists nominated for the Focus on People Award. The national program celebrates distinguished students, adults and healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to serve their communities and make an impact.

Voting for the award is open until Nov. 4 and winners will receive an Oticon BrainHearing hearing aid as well as a donation to a charity they choose.

“The Focus on People Awards shine a spotlight on these finalists’ triumphs and inspirational stories, and we are proud to recognize all the work they have done to dismantle the stigma around hearing loss. We hope you will join us in recognizing their outstanding achievements by casting your vote,” Oticon said in a statement.

Community members can vote for Lucero online here.