Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

At Optmist International, our Core Values represent the way we believe in the transformative power of hope, positive thinking, and action. Our commitment to bringing out the best in youth communities and ourselves is guided by four core values that represent our foundational beliefs. We utilize these to inspire and drive our mission.

Topic for the 2025-2026 school year is: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community."

Who: 

The contest is open to young people through grade 12 in the United States and Canada, to CEGEP in Québec and grade 13 in the Caribbean, who are educated in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. Students must submit the results of an audiogram completed no longer than 24 months prior to the date of the contest by a qualified audiologist. Students must be certified to have an uncorrected hearing loss of 40 decibels or more, which must be supported by the audiogram in order to be eligible to compete. Students with permanent correction should compete in the Optimist International Oratorical contest.

How To Enter: 

Interested students should contact their local Optimist Club. To find out the contact in your area, please e-mail the Programs department at programs@optimist.org.

When:

The deadline to enter is determined by the sponsoring Club.

Clubs and Districts

The deadline for Clubs to submit their winner to the next level of competition is set by the District. District deadline to submit a winner to Optimist International is June 15, 2026.

This contest offers an opportunity for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills, which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the Communication Contest For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers hearing-impaired youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language. The Optimist International Foundation funds a $2,500 scholarship to any District that meets the minimum participation criteria.

The CCDHH Contest Planning pages are intended for use by Optimist Clubs in organizing and conducting a contest in their Club. They contain no information on entering the contest and are of no use to students wishing to enter the contest. To enter, students must contact their local Optimist Club!

Support merchandise for this program can be ordered through Optimist supply companies found online.