Whenever using sign language interpreting services for Deaf and hard of hearing constituents, state agencies should always use certified interpreters to ensure that effective communication takes place between both parties and to protect entities from liability. Visual Communication Services Contract The state of Maryland has a contract with sign language interpreting agencies to provide interpreting Read the Rest…
CART, or Communication Access Realtime Translation, is a speech-to-text captioning service that provides live captions for Deaf and hard of hearing attendees at events, meetings, presentations, conferences, and more. Typically, the live captions are displayed on a screen while the presentation is shown on another, separate screen. Consequently, Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are required Read the Rest…
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency care facility. Obtaining Mental Health Services Telehealth Mental Health & Rehabilitation Services directory Crisis Services directory Obtaining Mental Health Services To receive appropriate mental health services, ask for a referral from your insurance company or social service agency to Read the Rest…
Insurance Plans Financial Assistance FAQs Insurance Plans Fully-Insured Health Plans, HMOs, and Non-Profit Health Service Plans Maryland law requires fully-insured health plans, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and non-profit health service plans to provide some coverage for hearing aids and audiological services for children. If your health insurance plan is a fully-insured health plan, HMO, or Read the Rest…
Deaf Ecosystem Due to systematic barriers in society ranging from inaccessibility to limited educational training opportunities, the ability to secure long-term, well-paying employment has been difficult for Deaf and hard of hearing Marylanders. More than 80 percent of the Deaf and hard of hearing population are either underemployed or unemployed. Deaf and hard of hearing Read the Rest…
**To view the press release, please see: http://odhh.maryland.gov/press-releases/deaf-business-summit-2017/.** Tuesday, May 2, 2017 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. 100 Community Place (Conference Room A/B) Crownsville, MD 21032 The Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is hosting a business summit for Deaf and hard of hearing business owners in Maryland. The summit’s theme, Deaf Ecosystem: Maryland’s Read the Rest…
The Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing does not assume any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided. Inclusion or exclusion of information does not constitute approval or disapproval. Please contact the listed agency or entity directly to determine if it meets your needs and expectations. If you Read the Rest…
Assistive technology is technology that provides Deaf or hard of hearing individuals with improved accessibility in various environments. As with any technology, assistive technology prices will vary and it is important to compare prices. Most devices can be found through a search engine online (i.e. Google) and some devices can only be purchased through mail-order Read the Rest…
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Early identification and early intervention are the keys to successful language development. If not detected early, studies have shown that children who are born Deaf or hard of hearing can have delays in speech, language, social skills, and academic achievement. It is important that all infants and young children have a hearing Read the Rest…
Communication Access For more information about interpreting, including sign language and oral transliteration, please visit the Communication Access page. Assistive Technology For more information about assistive technology, including FM systems and assistive listening devices, please visit the Assistive Technology page. CART Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is word-for-word instant speech-to-text translation provided on scene in just Read the Rest…
Sign Language Interpreting Sign language interpreting makes communication possible between Deaf/hard of hearing individuals and hearing individuals. Interpreting is a complex process that requires a high degree of linguistic, cognitive, and technical skills in both English and American Sign Language (ASL). Sign language interpreting involves more than simply replacing a word of spoken English with Read the Rest…
There is a wide range of voice, text, and video relay services and technologies that allow consumer choice of language and mode of communication to access the telephone network. To decide which device best suits your needs and preferences, please contact the Maryland State Department of Information Technology’s Maryland Relay service. Maryland Governor’s Office of Read the Rest…
There are many resources available for senior citizens on housing, health, financial assistance and more. In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Aging protects the rights and quality of life of older persons in the state. The Department of Aging administers programs and funds through local area agencies. Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard Read the Rest…
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency care facility. Behavioral health addresses a wide range of services including mental health, addiction and developmental disabilities. In Maryland, the Maryland Department of Health has a special division devoted to behavioral health services, the Behavioral Health Administration. Maryland Governor’s Office Read the Rest…
Legal and Self Advocacy There are many laws in place to ensure that people who are Deaf or hard of hearing are not discriminated against and have equal and full access to resources and services. Maryland Commission on Civil Rights About MCCR Maryland anti-discrimination laws for housing, employment, and public accommodations are enforced by the Read the Rest…
Early identification and early intervention are the keys to successful communication development. If not detected early, studies have shown that children who are born deaf can have delays in speech, language, social skills, and academic achievement. It is important that all infants and young children have a hearing screening, which helps find children who are deaf. For Read the Rest…
Independent Living centers are typically non-residential, private, non-profit, consumer-controlled, community-based organizations that provide services and advocacy by and for persons with all types of disabilities. Their goal is to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential within their families and communities. Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources Directories Virtual Directory NEW! Read the Rest…
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Be Prepared Emergency preparedness involves planning for disaster before it happens. Make sure you know what dangers affect the communities where you live, work, and play and that you make a plan for when an emergency or disaster happens. 3 Steps to Being Prepared for an Emergency Creating an emergency plan that is right for Read the Rest…
It is sometimes necessary for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing to take advantage of accommodations so that they can fully access their education. Some of these accommodations may include: Preferential Classroom Seating Note-takers Assistive Listening Devices Interpreters Captions Speech Therapy Instruction using sign language For information on early intervention, please refer to: Infants, Children, Read the Rest…
Some individuals who are DeafBlind may have some useful vision and hearing, while others have little or none. DeafBlind individuals may be born deaf or hard of hearing and lose their vision later in life. Others may grow up as blind and become deaf later in life. Some people are born DeafBlind, or lose their vision and hearing Read the Rest…
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency care facility. Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources Directories Virtual Directory NEW! Crisis Services Mental Health & Rehabilitation Services Policies & Resource Guides Resource Guide: Mental Health Services Community Resources At-Risk Children Boys Town Boys Read the Rest…
Audiology is the study and diagnosis of hearing, balance, and related disorders. Audiologists working in this field help treat hearing loss and attempt to preemptively prevent related damage by evaluating patients, administering hearing tests, as well as prescribing and dispensing hearing aids and other hearing assistance technologies such as cochlear implants. Audiologists can also help Read the Rest…
Assistive technology is technology that provides Deaf or hard of hearing individuals with improved accessibility in various environments. Assistive technologies include alerting devices, telecommunications devices, and assistive listening devices. As with any technology, assistive technology prices will vary and it is important to compare prices. Most devices can be found through a search engine online Read the Rest…
Advisory council meetings and townhall meetings are always slated to take place from 2 to 5 p.m. at 100 Community Place in Crownsville, MD in the main conference room unless otherwise noted. After each advisory council meeting, the office hosts townhall meetings to promote engagement among council members and constituents, and for the office and Read the Rest…
Maryland Advisory Council on the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Appointed by Governor to 3- year terms with Senate advice and consent; at the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed. Michele Westfall, Chair Marny Helfrich, Vice Chair Vikki Porter, Secretary Appointee Seat Term End S. Spencer Dove Maryland Read the Rest…
The Maryland Advisory Council on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing The Maryland Advisory Council on the Deaf & Hard of Hearing was authorized in October 2001 (Chapter 537, Acts of 2001-Code State Government Article, secs. 9-2404 through 9-2406) to advise and give support to the Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Read the Rest…
Kate Breen Acting Director Kate, a Central New York native mainstreamed in the public school system and is a Model Secondary School for the Deaf alumni. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Gallaudet University, Masters in International Studies from University of Limerick in Ireland, and Masters in International Development from Gallaudet University. Kate’s Read the Rest…
The Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing The Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was established in October 2001 through legislation (Chapter 537 of the Acts of the 2001 General Assembly). In accordance with the State Government Article, section 9-2407 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the office promotes Read the Rest…
During the legislative session, the Maryland Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is responsible for monitoring various bills that are introduced in the state legislature and may be of interest to Deaf and hard of hearing Marylanders. The office also ensures that the community remains informed of updates on hearings and votes Read the Rest…
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