PAHrtners Deaf Services Honored with 2026 PBATS Award

September 22, 2026

PAHrtners Deaf Services, a program of RHA Health Services, has been recognized by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) as a recipient of the 2026 Ability Transcends Challenges (ATC) Award. 

PAHrtners was selected as the Pittsburgh-area recipient for its commitment to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. The annual PBATS awards recognize organizations across Major League Baseball communities that champion disability inclusion and meaningful employment opportunities. 

PBATS President Nick Kenney shared: “PAHrtners Deaf Services shows what it means to build a workforce grounded in inclusion, while creating an environment where employees and the individuals they serve can communicate and connect without barriers. Baseball’s own history of breaking down barriers makes it a fitting platform to celebrate organizations like PAHrtners, who prove every day that inclusion isn’t just a value; it’s how great teams are built. PBATS truly values the work PAHrtners is doing, and it surely does not go unnoticed.” 

The recognition reflects PAHrtners’ continued commitment to breaking down communication barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. 

“PAHrtners is honored to be recognized as a leading employer of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals,” said Brian Kitchen, PAHrtners’ Executive Director. “We remain committed to building an inclusive workplace that values accessibility, opportunity, and the unique strengths of every employee.” 

Congratulations to the PAHrtners Deaf Services team on this well-deserved recognition!