Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Scholarship Sponsored by Optimist International

Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH)

Overview
The 2025–2026 CCDHH theme is: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community." This contest gives young people who are deaf or hard of hearing a platform to share their ideas and build public-speaking and signing skills in front of an audience. Modeled on the Optimist Oratorical Contest, entrants may present using spoken language or sign language.

Eligibility
- Open to students up through grade 12 in the United States and Canada; through CEGEP in Québec; and through grade 13 in the Caribbean — provided the students are educated in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean.
- Applicants must provide an audiogram performed by a licensed audiologist within 24 months prior to the contest date.
- Eligibility requires certification of an uncorrected hearing loss of 40 decibels or greater as documented on the audiogram.
- Students who have a permanent hearing correction are expected to enter the Optimist International Oratorical contest instead.

How to Enter
Students who wish to participate should get in touch with their local Optimist Club. To locate the club contact for your area, e-mail the Optimist Programs department at programs@optimist.org.

Deadlines
- The entry deadline is set by the sponsoring Optimist Club.
- Clubs must submit their Club winner to the next level by deadlines established by their District.
- Districts must forward their winner to Optimist International by June 15, 2026.

Awards and Scholarships
The Optimist International Foundations provide a $2,500 scholarship to any District that fulfills the contest’s minimum participation requirements.

Club Resources and Contest Administration
- CCDHH Contest Planning pages are prepared for Optimist Clubs organizing and running contests. These planning resources do not explain student entry procedures and therefore are not intended as entry instructions for potential contestants. Students should contact their local Optimist Club to enroll.
- Support merchandise for the program can be purchased through approved Optimist supply companies (see the Optimist website for vendor links).

Certificates and Publicity Materials
- Clubs and Districts hosting contests may present certificates of participation to all contestants.
- Optimist International supplies a set of sample news releases and publicity materials that Clubs and Districts can use to promote their CCDHH events. The downloadable .doc templates allow users to type in event-specific information; .pdf versions are provided for viewing only.

Contact
For program questions or to find local club contacts: programs@optimist.org.