Employer Training and Resources

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing  provides employers a wide array of resources and services, including information, training, technical assistance, and consultation.  The state’s only agency for the deaf and hard of hearing issues can answer employers’ questions or concerns about:

• assistive and telecommunication technology and services

• captioning services

• federal and state laws related to communication access

• interpreter services and qualifications

• reasonable accommodations for deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind individuals

• workplace safety

• tax credit benefits for employers (Eligible small businesses use Form 8826 (PDF, 29 KB) to claim the disabled access credit. This credit is part of the general business credit.)

ODHH developed a resource book for the employers to use.  Contact any of the staff to get a hard copy.  

Information and Referral Services  

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides Information and Referral Services to those wishing to know more about:  

• Issues pertaining to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.

• Laws relating to the rights of people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.

• Working with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.

• Services available to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.

• New technology for accessibility for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.

• And services made available to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind.

Interpreting Services

An interpreter is a professional who provides the communication link between hearing and deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) as well as deafblind individuals.  Like all individuals, DHH individuals deserve the opportunity to fully comprehend conversations, lectures, interviews, legal proceedings and any other situations in which they participate.  The scheduling agencies schedule and coordinate interpreting services at least 48 hours in advance.  The directory is provided to allow the public/private sector to contact the individuals.

Resource Directories

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing maintains a Directory of Resources containing local and national resources specifically catered to the unique needs of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.

Service Fund

The Service Fund pays for communication access services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind persons in certain situations not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Communication access services that the Service Fund covers include sign language interpreting and real time captioning. The ADA requires most organizations and other entities to cover the cost of communication access services but if an entity is facing an undue hardship (as defined by the ADA ), the Service Fund may help. The Service Fund may cover situations such as:

• Emergency or Immediate medical or mental health situations

• Support Groups (12-Step, Cancer Survivors, single parent meetings)

• Job-related situations for individuals who do not receive DVR services

• Funerals and Memorial services

• Meetings involving housing and shelter matters

TEPP/TAP

The Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP, exit DHFS) is to help people with disabilities buy specialized equipment they need in order to use basic telephone services.

The Telecommunications Assistance Program (TAP) provides funds to people who meet income and hearing loss eligibility criteria to enable them to purchase special telecommunication devices, such as a TTY.  TAP also supports Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP, exit DHFS).

Training

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides training opportunities free of charge to interested businesses, agencies, or organizations interested in improving their understanding of issues relating to the deaf and hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.

U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission developed a document, "Questions and Answers about Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act".

Additional Information

Americans with Disabilities Act Resource Guide for Employers (PDF, 56 KB)

A Guide for Non-Profit Organizations Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF, 60 KB)

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Last Revised:  April 29, 2008