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.




*February 7, 2025*




HB 2221 Interpreter Shortage Workgroup Solutions Summit
HB 2221 Interpreter Shortage Workgroup Solutions Summit [ [link removed] ]

"VIDEO LINK [ [link removed] ]"

The Department of Social and Health Services and the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing want to thank all the workgroup members and community participants for helping improve interpreter services in Washington.

*About the Summit*

On February 1st and 2nd, 2025, the Signed, Protactile, and Trilingual Interpreter Workgroup met at Seattle University for the Solutions Summit. Deaf, DeafBlind, hearing, and Deaf interpreters came together to find ways to fix interpreter shortages and improve interpreter services in Washington.

*What We Talked About*


* Understanding the Problem – Looked at research and community feedback to find gaps in interpreter services.
* Imagining the Future – Made plans to build a stronger interpreter network for the next 10 years.
* Team Activities – Worked together in groups to share ideas and solve problems.
* Using Data to Make Decisions – Reviewed research and community input to create real solutions.

*Our Ideas for Change: *The group talked about different ways to increase the number of interpreters and improve service quality.


* More Training & Mentoring – Create more learning opportunities for interpreters.
* Certification & Licensing – Develop a system to make sure interpreters meet high standards.
* More Funding & Support – Find money and resources to help BIPOC, DeafBlind, Indigenous, and immigrant communities.

*Plans to Make These Changes Happen: *The group organized their ideas into five important areas:


* New Laws – Ask the government for more funding and better interpreter programs.
* Better Policies – Make rules to improve interpreter services.
* Community Solutions – Encourage local efforts to increase access.
* Working with Organizations – Team up with schools, nonprofits, and agencies for better training.
* Building Strong Networks – Work with businesses and groups to support long-term improvements.

*What’s Next?*


* Legislative Plan – A final report will go to the state legislature in June 2025.
* Keep Working Together – The workgroup will continue meeting and planning.
* Community Survey – A survey will be sent out to get more feedback. Please share it when you receive the link!

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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]




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