TSHA History

TSHA was founded as Oklahoma Hearing Society in 1953 by parents seeking services for their deaf children. It became the Tulsa Hearing Society in 1961.In 1969 TSHA changed its name to become incorporated, and in 1970 became a Tulsa Area United Way member agency. The relationship between TSHA and the Tulsa Area United Way continues today. Over the years programs and services have evolved and expanded to meet the needs of the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. The service area expanded from the immediate Tulsa area to include all of Oklahoma and a job placement office in Dallas, Texas. Tulsa Speech and Hearing Association officially became TSHA, Inc. in 1999.

 

In the mid 1990's, a series was published in the TSHA newsletter highlighting the history of TSHA. Below is some of the information included in that series. Betty Powell was instrumental in gathering much of this information.

 

We believe that the very first office was located in the Mary K. Chapman Center on the University of Tulsa campus with Jim Cornet as Executive Director. The only other staff was a secretary. At this time financial aid was given to families that desired hearing aids or classes in speech therapy. TSHA received and processed applications from the community, referring their needs to the appropriate offices or organizations where they could receive assistance.

 

After moving into larger offices at 38th and Harvard, a new director was employed - Don Hastings from Des Moines, Iowa. After Mr. Hastings' arrival, a grant was written providing money to hire a Service Specialist, Jeanne Manning.

 

In the fall of 1979, TSHA received a contract from the Department of Human Services to provide interpreter services. Betty Powell became the first Coordinator of that program and provided a lot of interpreter services herself as there only about 6 interpreters available in the community. In fact, this was the office where the first meeting of interpreters organized and became the Green Country Interpreter's Group. Jack and Maxine Money and Jenny Koons were some of the "grassroots" interpreters who met.

 

In 1981, Don Hastings gave up the Executive Director position in order to move to Tulsa Junior College as the Director of the newly formed Resource Center for the Hearing-Impaired, now know as the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The search for a new Executive Director brought Susan K. Murray to Tulsa. Prior to Mr. Hastings' departure Kirby Hodges, a former Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf, came to TSHA for his internship. TSHA offices were bulging with ambitious, hard-working people.

 

This staff planted a seed which later became the Independent Living Program and the Projects with Industry Program. On-going mini-workshops were held on all aspects of acquiring jobs, from the basic filling out of applications to the ways of coping on the job. TSHA also worked with individuals on a variety of needs such as preparing for their drivers' license tests, learning to budget, and taking care of a family.

 

Needing a larger work space, TSHA moved to the 51st and Mingo area. This location was good for most folks if they had vehicles, but many of the clients used the city bus. Another move was needed and offices were found at 31st and Mingo in 1985. Rob Parrish became Executive Director in 1989.

 

One last move was made, when TSHA was able to purchase its own building in 1992 on 11th street. Rene' Ryan took over the duties as Executive Director in 1993, and remains in that position today.

 

In 2007 TSHA changed its name once again and we are now known as the Total Source for Hearing-loss and Access - TSHA.