Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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ODHH strongly condemns the escalating violent attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. With hate crimes, harassment, and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on the rise in the United States, we absolutely condemn these actions and unequivocally stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities against violence. #StopAsianHate   

 
Image: Background Indigenous art with different colors, turquoise, red, yellow, and orange shaped in circles, arrows and triangles. On the bottom right corner shows a white rectangle with text in red, "Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 11, 2021."

       

First Image: Background has a mix of different shades of red and green with white text, "October is Disability Awareness Month." On the bottom right corner shows five white symbols, a person walking with a cane, two hands signing "interpreter", ear with an arrow, an eye with lines on left and open space on right, and a person in a wheelchair.

Second Image: Several skin of colors holding a letter spelled Diversity" in different colors, D (orange), I (green), V (light blue), E (pink), R (yellow), S (purple), I (green), T (orange), and Y (light blue).

Third Image: On the bottom, eight individuals standing with their backs facing arm in arm with many words above their heads, dark and light blue words, "Diversity, Equality, Community, Gender, Diverse, Thoughts, Life, People,  Concepts" shaped into continents around the world.

Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) - Resources for COVID-19 Health, Safety and Recovery Plans in ASL – American Sign Language 

YouTube: Important COVID-19 Information (ASL)   

DSHS website: ASL - American Sign Language | DSHS (wa.gov)

Click here for COVID resources

Accessibility Quick Links

 

Communication Access Communication Technology Community Outreach

Communication Access

Modalities & Education
Trainings for Service Providers
To request a training: cametrequest@dshs.wa.gov
Hearing Loss Awareness - A Common Problem for Older Adults
Hearing Aid Resources

Communication Technology

Assistive Communication Technology
Telecommunication Equipment Distribution
Telecommunication Relay Services
 

Community Outreach

Online Request Form to Post an Event
Calendar of Events
 
 
 
SLI Contracts & Resources Social & Human Services Training & Presentations

Sign Language Interpreter
Contracts & Resources

List of Contractors
List of Certified Court Interpreters
Approved List of Interpreters and Rates 
How to Request ODHH Approved Interpreter
Interpreter Request Service - Account Creation
Online Interpreter Request Form
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Social and Human Services

Client Advocacy Service
Bellingham
Seattle
Tacoma
Tri Cities
Vancouver
Yakima
Spokane
Statewide DeafBlind Services 

 

Training and Presentation

Trainings for Community Members
Community Training Announcements
To request a training: odhh@dshs.wa.gov
 
 
 
 

 

Black Lives Matter and the Deaf Community

ODHH stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.  If you are interested in anti-racism resources, please visit this link.  Truth--Social Justice - Services - RACIAL HEALING - Learn More...

Say their names image

FOR YOUR INFORMATION...

Americans with Disabilities Act

Overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Americans with Disabilities Act (National Association of the Deaf)
https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/americans-with-disabilities-act/

(ASL Videos): Review of disability discrimination laws in ASL, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
http://www.adagreatlakes.org/ADA/ASL_Videos.asp

What is Effective Communication under the ADA?

ADA Requirements: Effective Communication (Dept. of Justice): https://www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm

ADA National Network: Effective Communication: https://adata.org/factsheet/communication

Effective Communication: Health Care (Northwest ADA Center): https://nwadacenter.org/factsheet/effective-communication-healthcare

Health Care Providers (National Association of the Deaf): https://www.nad.org/resources/health-care-and-mental-health-services/health-care-providers/

Questions and Answers for Health Care Providers (National Association of the Deaf):
https://www.nad.org/resources/health-care-and-mental-health-services/health-care-providers/questions-and-answers-for-health-care-providers/

Employment Rights

Questions and Answers about Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act (EEOC)
https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/deafness-and-hearing-impairments-workplace-and-americans-disabilities-act

Discrimination and Reasonable Accommodations (National Association of the Deaf) https://www.nad.org/?s=discrimination+and+reasonable+accommodations

ADA Information, Technical Assistance, and Training

Northwest ADA Center: https://nwadacenter.org/ 
Provides information, training, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act to Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
To learn more about the Northwest ADA Center: https://nwadacenter.org/about-us
800-949-4232
425-233-8913 (Videophone)
Email: nwadactr@uw.edu

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mental Health Resources

Hearing Aid Consumers

Click on this flier for information on wireless technology and hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Resources

Hearing Loss Association of Washington (HLAA-WA)

HLAA-WA is affiliated with the national organization called Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).  HLAA-WA has a website with information to learn more about the latest technologies available and how to deal with different communication strategies: https://hearingloss-wa.org/

Hearing Loss Information

People with hearing loss who are oral and do not sign are often left out of the opportunity to socialize as their local community centers and senior centers are not “hearing friendly.” That is, they often lack the technology or fail to use even basic amplification of their programs where people who are hard of hearing might participate. There is one place where we know that people with hearing loss can be welcomed and know that their communication needs can be met. This would be a local HLAA chapter meeting.

If you are interested in starting a local HLAA chapter or hearing loss support group in your area please contact info@hearingloss-wa.org and share your ideas. We’d love to hear from you.

Medicaid Coverage for Hearing Aids Starts January 1, 2019

Approved by the legislature last year, coverage of hearing aids for adults on Medicaid will begin January 1, 2019.  The coverage limited, as it only restores coverage that existed before 2011, but it will give eligible adults some hearing aid coverage, where they have none at present.  People with 45 db or more hearing loss in their better ears will be eligible for one hearing aid.  This will be bundled with the hearing evaluation, ear mold and three follow-up visits to the provider.  New hearing aids may be obtained every five years.  Two hearing aids may be approved under certain circumstances and requires prior approval.

Cochlear Implant replacement and repair will also be covered and new CIs may be covered with prior approval. Batteries for hearing aids and CIs are not covered.

The WA Health Care Authority (HCA) is still developing the regulations for this coverage but will operate under interim "emergency" regulations until the final rules have gone through the internal review, public comment and adoption processes.  HCA will have a comprehensive web site with information including Frequently Asked Questions.

Contact: Shauna Muendel, MPA, BSN, RN, ACM-RN
Email: shauna.muendel@hca.wa.gov 

The Telecoil - Connecting Directly to Sound

A telecoil can make a dramatic difference in your ability to hear clearly and understand dialogue.
Universal symbol that identifies a looped venue.

Washington Relay Captioned Telephone Service

Captioned Telephone (CapTel®) is a service that allows users to listen to their phone conversations while reading word-for-word captions of what’s said to them. Through the use of a uniquely designed CapTel phone, users speak directly to the other party while they listen and read what’s said on the bright, built-in display screen of the CapTel phone.

Click here to see the Washington Relay Captioned Telephone Service resource guide.   

ODHH Staff are Currently Teleworking

The Safe Start Project, under the direction of Governor Jay Inslee, is Washington State’s organized response to COVID-19. This project is a phased approach that is focused on the health and safety of our staff and clients. Per Safe Start Project Phase One recommendations approved by DSHS Secretary Cheryl Strange, ODHH Staff will continue to telework as the primary mode of operation through June 30, 2021. We are still available to serve you via phone, VP, email and videoconferencing, but our physical offices remain closed to protect our staff and constituents from the spread of COVID-19. You can reach us at our general email address: odhh@dshs.wa.gov or check the Staff Members page for our individual email addresses and VP numbers: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh/odhh-staff.

Public Videophone - CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Available to Community Members
Outgoing Calls Only

9 am - 4 pm
Lobby Area
Blake West Building
4450 - 10th Ave
Lacey, WA

VP Booth