The Missouri Commission for the Deaf is mandated to promote deaf awareness; to develop state certification of sign language interpreters; to maintain the quality interpreting services; to maintain a census of the deaf population in Missouri; to promote the improvement of physical and mental health services for deaf persons; and to establish an effective communication network among the deaf adult community.

The Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing consists of nine members who are knowledgeable about issues related to hearing loss and who have demonstrated a commitment to the full participation of deaf and hard of hearing people in all aspects of community life. The governor appoints the members of the Commission. 

Two members must be deaf; one must be a parent of a deaf child; one must represent the business community; one must represent the Missouri School for the Deaf or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; one must represent local public school administration; and one must be a professional from the field of audiology, psychology, speech pathology, mental health, or medicine; one must be an interpreter for the deaf; one must represent and organization that represents the interests of deaf and hard of hearing people.