A fresh look and new ways to connect

The Branch is marking a new chapter in 2026. Over the past fiscal year the Rebranding Committee, chaired by Janice McNamara, reviewed whether to return the Branch name from Canadian Hard of Hearing Association National Capital Region to its earlier name, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association Ottawa Branch.

That discussion was part of a broader effort to establish a clearer and more independent Branch identity, distinct from the CHHA National Office. The Committee identified what a refreshed identity would require: a new Ottawa based mailing address, new Branch email addresses, new Microsoft 365 accounts, a renewed social media presence, and a redesigned website.

Setting up all of those new operational coordinates needed immediate action, and the Committee concluded it could not complete a formal name change at the same time. The Branch will therefore continue to operate as CHHA-NCR Branch for now. The Committee will keep discussing the Branch's visual identity in the year ahead, including whether to keep the current logo or explore a new design.

The most visible piece of that work is this website: an accessibility first platform with a text size control, a translation option, captioned and transcript supported media, and a design built to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It is meant to serve as a long term home for members, partners, and anyone in the region looking for hearing support.

Work on the Branch's wider social media presence continues. Full administrative access to the existing Facebook page has not yet been granted, which has held up the rollout of a coordinated set of accounts. That remains an active piece of business for the Social Media Committee.