Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Scholarship Sponsored by Optimist International
Introduction
At Optimist International, our guiding principles emphasize the transformational impact of hope, positive thinking, and purposeful action. These values direct our efforts to empower young people and strengthen youth communities. For the 2025–2026 school year, the contest theme is: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community."
Eligibility
- Who may enter: Young people educated in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. This includes students through and including grade 12 in the U.S. and Canada, CEGEP students in Québec, and grade 13 students in the Caribbean.
- Hearing requirement: Applicants must provide an audiogram performed by a qualified audiologist within 24 months of the contest date. The audiogram must verify an uncorrected hearing loss of 40 decibels or greater. Those whose hearing has been permanently corrected should enter the Optimist International Oratorical Contest instead.
How to enter
Students interested in participating should get in touch with their local Optimist Club. If you need a club contact in your area, e-mail the Programs department at programs@optimist.org.
Deadlines and advancement
- Contest entry deadline: Determined by the sponsoring Optimist Club.
- Club-to-district submission: Clubs must follow the timeline set by their District when forwarding their club winner to the next level.
- District-to-Optimist International submission: All District winners must be submitted to Optimist International by June 15, 2026.
About the contest
Modeled after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) gives hearing-impaired youth the chance to present in sign language or speech, building confidence and public-communication skills that come from addressing a large audience. The Optimist International Foundation provides a $2,500 scholarship to any District that meets the contest’s minimum participation requirements.
Additional information
- The CCDHH Contest Planning pages are created for Optimist Clubs organizing and running contests; they do not include instructions for student entry. Students must contact their local Optimist Club to register.
- Support items and program merchandise may be purchased through Optimist supply vendors available online.