Text Announcement [ [link removed] ]




Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing [ [link removed] ]

ID: Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, logo for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services featuring three people, arms interconnected, inside an outline of the state of Washington.




*December 1, 2024*




Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Dear Sign Language Interpreters,

The next year will be busy and also exciting for Sign Language Interpreters.

ODHH and the community are working together to identify solutions to the Sign Language Interpreter shortage through a legislation funded workgroup.

ODHH will also be scheduling listening sessions to gather your input on next statewide contract, which includes reviewing terms, conditions, rates and location. The current statewide contract expires in June 2026.

We are also exploring ways to implement changes to Washington Court Interpreter credentials.

We encourage you to connect with WSRID and start these discussions together. WSRID is waiving membership. See below.

Sign Language Interpreters Contracts and Resources Program

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*Dear past, present, and future WSRID members,*

First and foremost, *THANK YOU* to all our members and community partners who have continued to support this organization in many ways over the years. It has been and continues to be our pleasure to serve as your Board. We have some *EXCITING NEWS* for existing and future members!

Over the past few years, we have seen a decline in membership and in overall capacity to provide program services such as conference, workshops, community partnerships, mentoring and more. We’ve been so very grateful for the encouragement and financial support of our new and continuing members while we’ve focused on keeping this boat afloat.

This year, we have spent the majority of our time focused on outreach efforts to reconnect and brainstorm with you all about where we want to steer this ship in the years ahead. We are thrilled to see some of our hard work paying off with the continuing growth and utilization of our CMP offerings and our scholarships, both of which have been long time goals. It’s been lovely to connect with you and see new motivation and energy beginning to rise to the surface. And we’re excited about hosting a statewide conference in 2025!

As we look ahead to next year, we’re also looking forward to connecting with interpreters and community members beyond our current member base. We are excited to be able to say *THANK YOU* for continuing your membership, and *WELCOME* to new members!

"*The Board recently passed a motion to waive membership dues for 2025 for anyone renewing or joining between December 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025.*""* Please take advantage of this offer and share this news with friends and colleagues as well!*"



*Current members: *watch your email for your renewal notice on December 1st. 

*"Not yet a member? Join HERE [ [link removed] ]!"*



We ask for your continued support and invite current, past, and future members to join us in rejuvenating our organization. As we expand to include even more interpreters from around the state, we’re so excited for what we can all accomplish together!

As the state continues to evaluate solutions to address our interpreter shortage, we strive to make WSRID a central place for community, networking, learning, leading, and more.

If you’d like to contribute to WSRID, please consider volunteering or donating. Reach out to our Committee Coordinators [ [link removed] ] and Board to learn more about where you can help in 2025!

*With gratitude,*

*Your 2024 WSRID Board*

"Anna Mansell Karagiannis, Andrew Pidkameny, Claudia Kienholz, Sandra Carr, Franki Thornton, Rogan Shannon, Shanta Corra, & Helena Cahill"







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*Accessibility:* We are dedicated to ensuring equitable and inclusive access. Our meetings and events are available in ASL, spoken English, and with captioning. Additionally, other signed and spoken languages are offered. For more information or specific requests, please contact us at [email protected].

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ODHH requests community feedback regarding alternatives for “stakeholders” terminology. Fill out a short two-question survey. [ [link removed] ]

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Programs & Services

* Assistive Communication Technology (ACT) [ [link removed] ]
* Case Management [ [link removed] ]
* Community Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Family Mentor Services [ [link removed] ]
* Hard of Hearing Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Sign Language Interpreter Contracts and Resources [ [link removed] ]
* Telecommunication Equipment Distribution (TED) [ [link removed] ]
* Telecommunication Relay Service (TRS) [ [link removed] ]
* Training and Presentation [ [link removed] ]

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*Who We Are:* The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State. 

*What We Do:* ODHH operates under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and is entrusted with fulfilling its legislative mandate outlined in RCW 43.20A.725. ODHH’s work includes:

_Advocacy_: ODHH advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled. The Office works to eliminate communication barriers and promote equal opportunities in various service areas, including training, consultation, contract management, information and referrals, and resources to promote communication equity.

_Coordination:_ ODHH is a centralized resource. The Office collaborates with governmental, business, and community stakeholders to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address and ensure that state services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.

*Contact Us!*

800-422-7930 Voice

425-461-3603 Videophone

[email protected]




Connect with DSHS [ [link removed] ]

Contact Us [ [link removed] ]






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