Recent Announcements

E-News (January 18, 2019)

The January 18, 2019 E-News has been posted.

New Grant Opportunity for DeafBlind Programs

In 2016, the Missouri Legislature passed House Bill 1696, a.k.a. the SSP bill, which gave the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) the authority and responsibility to administer the “issuance of grants to deaf-blind adults and children and their families,” subject to appropriations. The statute is set forth in section 161.412, RSMo. For Fiscal Year 2019, MCDHH was appropriated $300,000—save $9,000 for the Governor’s Reserve—to use toward section 161.412, RSMo. Of that $291,000, $193,895 has already been granted out through the MO SSP Program. The remaining $97,105 will be distributed to new DeafBlind programs via this grant. The purpose of these new programs is to supplement the MO SSP Program in a way that fulfills each of the intended outcomes of section 161.412, RSMo. This grant will cover services for DeafBlind children and their families and assistance for DeafBlind adults that is beyond the scope of an SSP. Click this link for the full grant document with more information. If you have questions about this grant, please send them to Emily.Morrison@mcdhh.mo.gov.

MCDHH Announces $200,000 Grant Opportunity for DeafBlind Program

Jefferson City—The Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) released a grant opportunity Wednesday to award $200,000 through the Missouri Support Service Provider (SSP) Program to organizations across the state for independent living of DeafBlind Missourians. An SSP empowers persons with combined hearing and vision loss to make their own decisions without relying on friends and family members for daily activities. The SSP assists by allowing the DeafBlind person to integrate into the community by providing guidance, environmental information, and communication assistance. Organizations receiving funding through the Missouri SSP Program are responsible for both training SSPs and coordinating scheduling and payment for services. Some examples of situations a DeafBlind person may need an SSP include: navigating a doctor’s office, locating products in a grocery store, and reading mail. Dual sensory loss presents unique challenges because solutions for living with blindness often rely on hearing, and Deaf Culture relies heavily on visual information. This creates a spectrum of lifestyles for DeafBlind individuals, and therefore a wide array of service needs. In 2016, the Missouri Legislature passed House Bill 1696, establishing 161.412, RSMo. This authorized the MCDHH to issue grants to organizations providing services to deaf-blind adults, children, and their families, subject to appropriations.  The grant details can be found online at http://mcdhh.mo.gov/fy19-mo-ssp-program. The deadline for grant applications is noon on Friday, August 9, 2018. MCDHH works with individuals, service providers, businesses, organizations, and state agencies to improve the lives and opportunities of all Deaf and Hard of Hearing Missourians. It functions as an agency of the state to advocate for public policies, regulations, and programs to improve the quality and coordination of existing services for individuals with hearing loss, and to promote new services whenever necessary. More information about MCDHH and the services it offers are available at http://mcdhh.mo.gov.

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RELEASE: Governor Signs Two Bills for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Missourians

Jefferson City, MO (June 1, 2018) - The Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is proud to announce that Governor Eric Greitens signed two bills this morning that will impact Deaf and Hard of Hearing Missourians. Senate Bill 814 makes changes to the drivers licensing system and Senate Bill 843 makes changes to the Board for Certification of Interpreters (BCI). These bills are among more than 70 others signed on what will be Greitens’ last day in office.   Senate Bill 814, filed by Senator Jeanie Riddle in the Senate and Representative Lyle Rowland in the House, will make the drivers licensing system more efficient and culturally appropriate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing drivers. For the last several years, the code used to identify hearing loss on a license has been J88; however, many officers have not been able to identify this code quickly. Under the new law, the code will change from J88 to DHH for easier recognition. Additionally, this legislation has removed the outdated term “hearing impaired” from the corresponding laws.   Senate Bill, also sponsored by Senator Riddle, restructures the Board for Certification of Interpreters (BCI) by reducing the number of gubernatorial appointments from five to three. The board will remain housed within MCDHH. This action resulted from findings of the 2017 Governor’s Task Force on Boards and Commissions, whose goal was to eliminate excessive appointments.   MCDHH works with individuals, service providers, businesses, organizations, and state agencies to improve the lives and opportunities of all Deaf and Hard of Hearing Missourians. It functions as an agency of the state to advocate for public policies, regulations, and programs to improve the quality and coordination of existing services for individuals with hearing loss, and to promote new services whenever necessary. More information about MCDHH and the services it offers are available at http://mcdhh.mo.gov. ###  

RELEASE: Deaf Driver’s License Bill Passes Missouri House, Headed to Governor’s Desk

Deaf Driver’s License Bill Passes Missouri House, Headed to Governor’s Desk Jefferson City, MO (May 1, 2018) - On Tuesday morning, the Missouri House gave final approval to Senate Bill 814 with a unanimous bipartisan vote of 152-0. This bill changes the driver’s license code identifying a person as Deaf or Hard of Hearing from J88 to DHH. An equivalent bill—House Bill 1572—was passed by the Missouri House on February 22. As the measure has passed through both legislative bodies, it is now considered Truly Agreed to and Finally Passed and will be sent to the governor for his signature. Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has found that most law enforcement officers are not able to quickly identify the meaning of the J88 code. Changing the characters to DHH will increase recognition, and allow officers to adapt their methods of communication. Lack of effective communication not only elongates the encounter, but it can also escalate the tension of the situation. For example, if an officer does not know that a driver is Deaf or Hard of Hearing, he may interpret the driver’s flat response to verbal commands as resistance. The DHH code will indicate that accommodations may be necessary, ranging from writing a conversation on a notepad or bringing in a sign language interpreter. "When talking about communication solutions between law enforcement and an individual with a hearing loss, there is no one-size-fits-all solution," said Opeoluwa Sotonwa, the Executive Director of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. "However, it is a consensus that a quick way to identify drivers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing will be an asset to officers. The decisions they make in the moment can be the difference between safety and danger, or life and death." Senate Bill 814, sponsored by Senator Jeanie Riddle (R), made its way to the Senate floor by way of the Committees on Professional Registration and Joint Rules, Resolutions, and Ethics. House Bill 1572, sponsored by Representative Lyle Rowland (R), made its way quickly through the House Committees on Transportation and Rules – Administrative Oversight. In addition, these bills also charge the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with making videos in American Sign Language explaining the implications of the changes to the license code. The wording of the law is also altered from "hearing impaired" to "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" to be more culturally appropriate MCDHH works with individuals, service providers, businesses, organizations, and state agencies to improve the lives and opportunities of all Deaf and Hard of Hearing Missourians. It functions as an agency of the state to advocate for public policies, regulations, and programs to improve the quality and coordination of existing services for individuals with hearing loss, and to promote new services whenever necessary. More information about MCDHH and the services it offers are available at http://mcdhh.mo.gov. ###