Massachusetts Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlights ASL Awareness Day initiatives

In a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, significant discussions centered around the Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) and its ongoing efforts to enhance communication access and support for the deaf and hard of hearing community. The meeting coincided with ASL Awareness Day, highlighting the importance of American Sign Language (ASL) and the need for broader community engagement in learning this vital language.

The MCDHH, despite being a small agency with 57 staff members—40% of whom are deaf or hard of hearing—plays a crucial role in providing services to approximately 2,436 clients statewide. The agency coordinates communication access referral services, offering support for interpreting and CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) services. In fiscal year 2026, $250,000 was allocated to support emergency services, which included responding to 33 emergency requests in July 2024, primarily related to medical needs.

A key challenge discussed was the shortage of ASL interpreters and CART providers, which hampers the agency's ability to meet the growing demand for services. To address this, MCDHH is collaborating with community colleges to expand ASL training programs, particularly in response to Governor Healy's initiatives aimed at increasing the number of qualified interpreters.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of partnerships with various agencies, including the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Early Education and Care, to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing children receive appropriate educational and support services. The MCDHH's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services program, funded at $3.8 million for fiscal year 2025, provides essential living supports to over 2,500 clients, including personal care assistance and advocacy.

In conclusion, the discussions at the meeting underscored the MCDHH's commitment to advancing equity and communication access for deaf and hard of hearing residents in Massachusetts. The agency's ongoing efforts to recruit more ASL interpreters and enhance training programs reflect a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by this community. As the state continues to navigate these issues, the importance of collaboration and advocacy remains paramount in ensuring that all individuals are seen, heard, and supported.