Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Communication support and tools

We partner with you to make phone calls and communicate.

Washington Relay is a free service that works with you to make phone calls with an assistant who will type or talk through your call. Call 711 or (800) 833-6384.
The Telecommunications Equipment Distribution program gives you phone equipment and training. You can get extra-loud phones, iPads, or iPhones with special apps. Apply for phone equipment

Services

Case managers work with you to get support, care, and resources. We work with you to get clear information and find local programs for food, cash and medical help. Senior services works with seniors and caregivers to provide guidance, caregiving resources and community connections. Hard of Hearing services connect people, families, and professionals with local resources, assistive technology, and guidance on communication access. Community resources provide you with community contacts and connections.

Communication Access and Support

Washington state offices provide communication access, including sign language interpreting services, when requested. ODHH provides support and training for state offices.

Request an interpreter

Look up

Contact

Address

Mailing: PO 45300, Olympia, WA 98504-5300
Physical: 4500 10th Ave. SE, Lacey, WA 98503

About

We are a state office that has been providing statewide programs, services and resources to promote communication equity and access for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled people for more than 30 years.

Acronyms (pdf): This guide consolidates common terms used across early intervention, assistive technology, rehabilitation, education, interpreting, and regional or national organizations.
Staff organizational chart (pdf).
Fact Sheets
Laws:
- RCW 43.20A.720 Telecommunications devices and services for the hearing and speech impaired — Definitions.
- RCW 43.20A.725 Telecommunications devices for the hearing and speech impaired — Program for provision of services and equipment — Rules
Rules:
- Chapter 388-818 Deaf and hard of hearing services.

History

The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing originated from grassroots advocacy in the late 1970s when members of the Washington State Association of the Deaf petitioned the state legislature for equal access to government services. In direct response to the community's legislative advocacy, the Department of Social and Health Services established the state's first dedicated accessibility role.

Milestones

1978: The "Deaf Services Coordinator" position was officially created.
1979: The coordinator role was filled, establishing a permanent structural link between the state government and the Deaf community.
1981: The legislature approved a $25 million grant known as Referendum 37. These funds established the first four deaf service centers in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Yakima, alongside a regional coordinator office near the Spokane Falls River.
1983: The Spokane office moved into the newly built Spokane Deaf Center to focus explicitly on Region 1.
1984: ODHH partnered with the Mental Health Division to introduce a Statewide Mental Health Coordinator role, initially filled by Dr. Tina Wax and later by Dr. Thomas Golder until budget cuts in 1987.
1986: The title "State Coordinator for the Deaf" changed to Director of Deaf Services. The legislature approved $90,000 for the nonprofit Yakima Deaf Center in Region 2, led by Executive Director Gary Mann.
1987: Created the TTY Relay & Distribution Program Manager role. Washington became one of the first states to implement an in-home TTY equipment installation, troubleshooting, and training program.
1988: Funding expanded to maintain seven dedicated regional centers across Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Yakima, Tri-Cities, Spokane, and Bellingham.
1989: Before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Washington became the first state to fund its own telecommunication relay service call center with internal agents.
1990: Partnered with the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse to hire Bryon Bridges as the first Statewide Coordinator for substance abuse support.
1991: Following recommendations from the Washington State TTY Task Force Blue Ribbon Committee, Senate Bill 6377 legally shifted ODHH's role from a direct relay provider to a Telecommunications Relay Services administrator.
1992: AT&T successfully secured the state contract to run the TTY relay program.
1997: Established the Communication Access Taskforce to comprehensively review state accommodation options.
1998: Created the Assistant Director position, while Sprint won the succeeding bid to operate the TTY Relay Program.
2001: Washington became the first state to fund a Video Relay Service pilot project, partnering with Sprint and Communication Services for the Deaf.
2002: Became the first state to distribute web cameras and videophones and pilot Captioned Telephone trials. Concurrently established the Northwest Deaf Addiction Center in Vancouver.
2003: The Communication Access Taskforce successfully established a statewide interpreter services contract. Director Leon Curtis retired after 24 years of service under five Governors, and Eric Raff was appointed ODHH Director. The agency also contracted with PROVAIL to support individuals with speech disabilities in western Washington.
2004: ODHH and DASA received the Governor's Award for Public Value and Benefit for their collaborative NWDAC project. Created an Information & Referral Advocacy role.
2005: The statewide interpreter contract transferred directly to ODHH, establishing the Sign Language Interpreter Management role. ODHH began providing state-owned Assistive Listening Devices across all regional service centers.
2006: Public videophone sites opened at Regional Service Centers, and Deborah O'Willow was appointed ODHH Director.
2007: Partnered with Eastern Washington University for speech disability support. Became the first state to fund Communication Facilitators for DeafBlind VRS access and fund the engineering of the innovative Deaf Blind Communicator device.
2009: The finalized Deaf Blind Communicator telecommunication device was released to the public and recognized nationwide.
2010: Established a videophone demonstration site and a historical telecommunication museum display at the ODHH office. Created an Office Manager role.
2011: Launched the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Information System database. Expanded mobile Communication Facilitator services. The legislature transferred DBSC contract management from the Department of Services for the Blind to ODHH.
2012: Partnered with the Department of Enterprise Services to launch statewide Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) contracts for real-time meeting captioning.
2013: Launched the electronic "E-News" network alongside a modernized website featuring a digital Directory of Services and a statewide calendar.
2014: ODHH was officially realigned under the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). Installed induction loops in vocational rehabilitation offices statewide and enacted the final rules for Legal Interpreting Standards.
2019: Implemented the Family Mentor Services Program to assist households navigating communication access.
2021: Rolled out the EAD Kit Pilot Project to ensure specialized emergency alert tools reached vulnerable households.
2022: Earnest Covington III was appointed ODHH Director.
2023: Officially established dedicated Case Management Services within the agency's primary programs.
2025: The agency reached its largest operational footprint in history with 30 active staff positions. In collaboration with community partners, ODHH established a specialized work group targeting shortages in ASL, ProTactile, and Trilingual interpreters, producing a strategic legislative advisory report (ASL).