A Proud History - 1980's

After more than 30 years, the Institute’s facilities were in need of major renovation. In 1981 a $3 million Capital Fund Drive, the first in 20 years, was launched, with funds to be used for facility improvements and scholarship endowment.

Country-western singer Mel Tillis and the Institute’s student singers, the “Choral Sensations,” headlined a benefit concert at Wichita State University’s Henry Levitt Area.

President Reagan’s Task Force on Private Sector Initiatives selected the Institute as one of its visitation sites in 1982, to learn how nonprofit organizations succeed without government involvement.

In 1982 the Institute’s Research Division hosted more than 30 investigators from the United States, Canada and Sweden at a Tactual Communications Conference. It was the first in this country to deal solely with the issues and progress of research in the field of tactual communications.

Renovation was completed, including remodeling and refurbishing residential and a completely remodeled playground.

The Institute celebrated its golden anniversary….50 years of leadership, commitment, services and contribution of knowledge in serving the handicapped.

 

President Dr. Frank R. Kleffner received the Honors of the American Speech-language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the highest award given to a member for contribution to the profession. He has served as president of the association and the ASHA Foundation.

The Institute opened the first Assistive Listening Device Center in Kansas, offering telephone, television and alarm devices for the hearing impaired.

Heartspring’s Donor Hearing Aid Program was started in May 1985. The goal of this program is to provide hearing aids to individuals who are in need, but are unable to purchase new hearing aids. The program allows clients a full hearing evaluation and if necessary, one or two reconditioned behind the ear hearing aids and a minimal or no cost.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America raised more than $1 million for the Institute.