SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2017 SESSION
17104246DWHEREAS, Arva Priola, a passionate advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing, who dedicated her life to strengthening the community by improving communication access, retired from the disAbility Resource Center in Fredericksburg in 2016 after more than 21 years of service; and
WHEREAS, a resident of Spotsylvania County, Arva Priola lost her hearing in 1989 and resolved to use her personal experiences to help others by working to eliminate stigmas on hearing loss and help members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities lead fuller lives; and
WHEREAS, Arva Priola took a special interest in improving public safety by enhancing communication between the members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and law-enforcement officers and first responders; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, Arva Priola created the Visor Alert program, which distributed high-visibility placards printed with the universal symbol for hearing loss, a broken ear, that individuals could place on their vehicles; and
WHEREAS, Arva Priola’s Visor Alert program, which also included wallet-sized identification cards, was endorsed by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, Arva Priola helped establish national guidelines for hospital workers, and the broken ear symbol is now used on hospital charts, allowing caregivers to quickly identify and better serve hearing-impaired patients; and
WHEREAS, Arva Priola also worked with community and business partners to provide information and education on the tools available to members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, such as vibrating alarm clocks, video relay systems for sign language, and phones that display text; and
WHEREAS, throughout her career, Arva Priola was honored at the state and national levels for her good work; after her well-earned retirement, she plans to spend more time with her three children and their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Arva Priola, a devoted advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing, on the occasion of her retirement from the disAbility Resource Center in 2016; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Arva Priola as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for her legacy of service to people with disabilities throughout the United States.