MANSFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts woman is a finalist for a national award that recognizes outstanding individuals with hearing loss.

Eighteen-year-old Catherine Fitzgerald, of Mansfield, is among three finalists for the 2019 Oticon Focus on People Award. Denmark-based Oticon manufactures hearing aids.

The Sun Chronicle reports that Fitzgerald developed a guide to help local police assist people like her with hearing loss.

During a nine-week police department internship earlier this year, Fitzgerald led American Sign Language training sessions for officers and produced an ASL pocket guide that’s now in demand from other police departments.

Award recipients get $1,000 for themselves and another $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. The winner will be announced in November.

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Information from: The (Attleboro, Mass.) Sun Chronicle, http://www.thesunchronicle.com

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