Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Goals & Objectives

Approved by the Commission Board on 3/12/2010

1. Provide services and training to promote awareness by delivering programs that empower Deaf and Hard of Hearing Nebraskans
   1. Educate consumers on their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act
   2. Inform consumers on new technology/equipment and specific telecommunication access options
   3. Train consumers on how to advocate for themselves (self advocate)
   4. Advocate to service providers, organizations, and governmental agencies on behalf of the deaf and hard of hearing person(s) to assure that the rights and benefits are available to that consumer
   5. Educate parents of deaf and hard of hearing children about opportunities available to their children
2. Implement programs through collaboration with consumer groups, The Governor, legislature, organizations, service providers, and agencies
   1. Establish access to effective and accessible communication through various mediums
   2. Design and develop social activities and transportation programs for deaf and hard of hearing senior citizens
   3. Identify and collaborate with stakeholders, agencies, organizations, hospitals, social service entities, law enforcement agencies and educational institutions to identify gaps in service and work together to resolve those issues and build a relationship in the process
   4. Educate consumers and especially low income families on internet accessibility through using videophones and Captel devices
   5. Educate staffs at hospitals, jails, law enforcement and care facilities regarding access rights and reasonable accommodations for deaf and hard of hearing clients
   6. Collaborate with various organizations to help deaf and hard of hearing access personal-social programs and other types of programs
   7. Collaborate with agencies and consumers on Disaster Preparedness
   8. Work closely with parent groups, deaf and hard of hearing organizations, and school units to empower deaf and hard of hearing students through developing leadership skills and deaf awareness activities
   9. Work closely with higher education institutions to develop better sign language skills in teachers and interpreters
3. To broaden the collection and dissemination of information on deafness and hearing loss
   1. Promote community awareness about programs and services operated by NCDHH
   2. Initiate a viable and reliable system for developing a census of the deaf and hard of hearing people in Nebraska
   3. Update the media lending library and newsletters in order to increase usage by clients
   4. Provide information through the NCDHH web page by increasing the use of vlogs and video presentations and by redesigning the web site
   5. Research, gather and expand the dissemination of information through electronic/visual mediums
   6. Disseminate brochures and service information on a scheduled basis to identified groups such as audiologists, professional groups, hospitals, nursing homes, ITPs (Interpreter Training Program), and private business groups
   7. Increase traffic to our web site using contact with other agencies; e.g., insert our links to other web sites
4. Ensure full access to comprehensive mental health, alcoholism and substance abuse services for deaf and hard of hearing persons by collaborating with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and all other behavioral health service providers
   1. Establish a domestic violence/sexual assault support system in Nebraska
   2. Establish a alcohol drug/substance abuse support system in Nebraska
   3. Establish training programs to educate staffs at all Nebraska behavioral health programs
   4. Provide mental health/substance abuse training to certified and licensed interpreters in Nebraska
   5. Establish local support systems with mental health providers, domestic violence programs, regional programs
   6. Identify, contact and provide hearing loss/deaf awareness to agencies, programs & services that provide mental health, addictions and abuse services (support groups, eating disorder clinics, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), communication access, equipment and technology for existing programs)
5. To ensure and implement effective access of interpreting services by collaborating with consumer groups, organizations and agencies
   1. Provide interpreter training and licensing
   2. Recruit qualified interpreters
   3. Design and implement an effective and efficient referral system
   4. Establish a system to measure, maintain and improve interpreter’s skills
   5. Inform consumer groups and agencies about how to use an interpreter and the NCDHH referral system
   6. Understand the relationship between interpreters and consumers
   7. Train and recognize Nebraska interpreters
   8. Coordinate with local & national interpreter groups to enhance their academic environment
   9. Increase the number of Licensed interpreters in Nebraska by working with the Interpreter Training Programs
   10. Seek legislation approving the QAST(Quality Assurance Screening Test) system
   11. Include an EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) rating as qualification for Licensure, paralleling RID’s (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) movement, through legislation