Hearing and Speech Center

Overview
Green Initiatives
Member Level

The Hearing & Speech Center was founded in 1960. A small group of parents from the Lexington area approached Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy and Edie Frankel to ask for their assistance in establishing a program to teach speech skills to their children with hearing impairments. This was the beginning of the Lexington Deaf Oral School, later to become The Hearing & Speech Center.

Mr. Frankel, an architect and engineer who had been deaf since birth, and Mrs. Frankel, who had a hearing loss, dedicated their lives to active community participation for the hearing impaired. Fundraising efforts began. Building space was donated by Temple Adath Israel and a teacher was hired. The Lexington Deaf Oral School opened with six students. For nine years the Temple housed the Lexington Deaf Oral School.

Successful fundraising efforts enabled the Board of Directors to purchase a house at 158 North Ashland Avenue in 1969. Due to continued growth, a brick addition was added to the back of that house with a multipurpose room on the first floor and classroom space on the second floor. This facility was dedicated in 1971. In 1978, the Board of Directors expanded programming to include additional audiological and speech/language pathology services for preschoolers and community clients. The name of the school was changed to the Lexington Hearing & Speech Center to better reflect the broader program.

The 1980’s led to the acquisition of property on both sides of the first home. The Hearing & Speech Center property at 162 North Ashland Avenue was joined to the first house by a walk-through. In December 1985, the Center celebrated this expansion project as well as its 25th anniversary. In the spring of 1993, the Center grew again. The Board of Directors voted to establish day care services in the building located next door to the Frankel Building at 154 North Ashland Avenue. This led to the Day School Program. This program allows children with typical speech and hearing development to attend.

In 2011, LHSC moved from the houses on North Ashland Avenue to the 70,000 square-foot brick school on Henry Clay Boulevard (formerly J.R. Ewan Elementary School). This new facility has supported the continued growth and expansion within all programs. LHSC looks forward to a future of continued dedication to excellence, as it follows the examples of its founders, Edie and Jimmy Frankel.

In 2020, in an effort to honor everyone served by the organization, the decision was made to change the name to The Hearing & Speech Center. The Hearing & Speech Center is proud to support individuals and families from over 70 Kentucky counties. The updated name and logo represent The Hearing & Speech Center’s commitment to all Kentuckians.

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Current Sustainable Practices

Below are the initiatives the Hearing & Speech Center has completed on the Green Check scorecard.

Sustainability Management and the Green Team

Develop a written Comprehensive Sustainability Plan.
Designate a Sustainability Coordinator or Green Team responsible for managing sustainability initiatives.
Hold quarterly Green Team meetings.
Provide time for quarterly updates from Sustainability Coordinator in upper management meetings.

Awareness, Education, and Outreach

Include sustainability tips in a monthly newsletter.
Provide a sustainability information board in a common area such as a break room or kitchen.
Include a sustainability statement and training in all new hire materials.
Host annual trainings or workshops to educate employees about sustainability issues, policies and procedures.
Promote sustainability accomplishments in external marketing materials (website, social media, newsletter, press releases, TV/radio ads).
Highlight sustainability efforts or initiatives at career fairs or career days.
Create an annual green employee award to highlight employee sustainability efforts.
Provide volunteers for community environmental projects annually.

Energy Efficiency

Assess, track, and document energy consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
Establish a power-down policy and checklist that includes items such as shutting off lights at night.
Set water heater thermostats to a maximum of 120 degrees or install an inline water heater.
Replace incandescent or CFL lights with LED lights 76-100% replacement.
Upgrade all Exit signs to LED.
Establish a regular filter maintenance policy for your HVAC system.
Have your HVAC system evaluated every 2 years by a certified service provider.
Establish a policy for purchasing that requires Energy Star rated appliances and electronics.
Establish a dress code that encourages employees to dress for thermal comfort.
Assess energy consumption by conducting a plug load inventory.
Conduct an energy audit or assessment (within the last three years).
Install or upgrade to energy efficient fans.
Take measures to insulate HVAC system and ductwork to minimize heat loss.
Assess building envelope and address any leaks.
Perform external lighting audit.
Daylight work spaces wherever possible.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Implement a basic recycling program.
Conduct a waste audit (within the past two years).
Provide clearly marked recycling bins at work stations and/or in common areas. Recycling bins must be paired with a waste bin.
Train and require janitorial service or staff responsible for cleaning to segregate waste and recyclable materials.
Use reusable mugs and dishware instead of disposable plates, cups, and utensils.
Establish a policy for environmentally friendly printing such as two sided printing, reusing copy paper, and electronic document sharing.
Establish an electronic waste policy that diverts all e-waste away from landfill.

Water Conservation

Assess, track, and document water consumption using Energy Star Portfolio Manager or similar program.
Conduct a water audit within the last three years. Monitor and record water usage, check indoor and outdoor pipes and fixtures for drips and leaks.
Establish a policy for purchase of high efficiency (i.e. WaterSense) rated fixtures and appliances.

Water Quality

Establish a policy for proper hazardous waste and chemical disposal.
Organize or participate in a storm drain stenciling.
Establish a policy for proper disposal of fats, oils, and grease, distribute to staff, and post in key areas.
Post information in restrooms about proper disposal of flushable wipes and other items.
Install outdoor ash trays to prevent cigarette litter, and make pocket ash trays available to staff who smoke.

Urban Forestry and Landscapes

Participate in a community reforestation project.
Establish a sustainability statement for landscape contracts.
Establish a native species-only plant replacement policy for tree and shrub planting.
Establish an Integrated Pest Management policy to reduce use of pesticides in the landscape.
Establish environmentally friendly lawn care policies to reduce chemical pesticide and fertilizer use.
Plant a pollinator garden.

Sustainable Purchasing

Establish a policy for reducing the toxic chemicals/materials in your workplace.
Establish a policy to purchase non-Styrofoam cups and plates for use at the workplace or at events.
Establish a policy for purchasing locally, if available.
Establish a policy to purchase/lease EPA SmartWay Certified fuel efficient vehicles.
Establish a policy for purchasing environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

Transportation Efficiency