Oregon Association of the Deaf summarizes on updates in regards to upcoming legislative session from February to July 2019. OAD is pursuing on 6 different legislative concept and they are still in the work. We could use some additional support and help by having some of you to become involved on one or more bills with our legislators.

1. Ensure the Oregon Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ODHHS) is a permanent program within Oregon Department of Human Services.

2. Statewide provision in Support Service Providers (SSP) for individuals who are DeafBlind and Deaf with additional disability.

3. The parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing have the rights to know of all options that are available to them.

4. Implement Oregon Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education (ODHHE) program with Oregon Department of Education, this program will track data on all Deaf and Hard of Hearing children from birth to 21.

5. Insert "Communication Facilitator" in Public Utility Commission's Residential Services Protection Funds to provide CF services to individuals who are DeafBlind in making video calls.

6. Add in the current dispatcher and communication solution' system for the law enforcement to know the person they are about to work with is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

There is another legislative bill led by Oregon Department of Education (ODE) by replacing all terms of "hearing-impaired" to Deaf and Hard of Hearing throughout their statue.

There is a chatter in the community about possibility an additional legislative bill and at this time OAD has not taken position on but is monitoring the development of these bills if it had gone this far to be introduced in the 2019 legislative session.

Any questions and to share your interest to get involved, please send an email to Link .

Thank you!