Joanne Travers, MIM

Mrs. Travers is a hearing parent of two children born with hearing loss. Inspired by her children, Joanne Travers founded and directs Partners for A Greater Voice, a non-profit organization that provides professional development and training opportunities in developing countries.  Advocating for spoken language, the organization helps parents and provides training to professionals vested in helping children who are deaf learn to listen and speak.  She has worked in the Dominican Republic for seven years.

Mrs. Travers started a parent resource and network called Parent Connection in 1995, and in 2005 she incorporated the Massachusetts Chapter of Alexander Graham Bell Association, merging the parent-to-parent network. As Past President, the chapter currently serves more than 250 constituents.  Mrs. Travers served two three-year terms as an elected Board of Director of The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf based in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Travers presents self-published Hearing Loss and Technology, an awareness program for elementary school students. She has presented at conferences, including Northeastern University, the Clarke School Mainstream Conference, and the A.G. Bell Association’s 2004 Bi-annual Convention.  She is a Rotarian and social entrepreneurial, who currently focuses on humanitarian Hearing Health initiatives in developing countries. Through her international work, Mrs. Travers has presented and/or coordinated over 75 different workshops. Mrs. Travers completed her B.A. in 1985 and her Masters in International Management from the University of Denver and the Graduate School for International Studies in 1993.  Mrs. Travers received a certificate in Parent Advocacy from the Federation for Children with Special Needs.