§ 2–1431.03a(Perm). Establishment of the Office for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.

*NOTE: This codification is not the most current, due to recent law changes. To see the current law (including emergency and temporary legislation, if relevent) click this link: Current Version*

(a) There is established an Office for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.

(b) The purpose of ODDHH is to advance the civil rights of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities by ensuring and overseeing District-wide compliance with laws that affect the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities.

(c)(1) ODDHH shall be headed by a Director, who shall be deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing and who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council in accordance with § 1-523.01(a).

(2) The Director shall serve as the Chief Administrative Officer and may organize personnel, re-delegate authority, develop programs, and take other action consistent with appropriations and other applicable law. Annual compensation for the Director shall be fixed in accordance with subchapter X-A of Chapter 6 of Title 1.

(3) If the position of Director is vacant or about to be vacant, the Mayor shall seek and receive input on the selection of the Director from organizations representing the interests of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities.

(d) The Director shall endeavor to hire qualified individuals who are members of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities.

(e) ODDHH shall:

(1) Advocate for the adoption of laws, policies, and programs that benefit the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(2) Provide community outreach, training, and education on issues affecting the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(3) Provide information about existing programs and services for the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(4) Refer members of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities with problems or concerns to the appropriate District agency or organization;

(5) Assist educational institutions, employment agencies, social service agencies, and businesses comply with District and federal laws that affect the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(6) Provide members of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities with access to specialized services, including case management, interpreter services, technology services, such as assistive listening devices, independent living services, and information services;

(7) Maintain a registry of available qualified interpreters in the District and work to increase the number of qualified interpreters in the District;

(8) Create and distribute visor communication cards to the Metropolitan Police Department containing instructions on how to effectively communicate with a deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing motorist, along with images of common traffic situations;

(9) Assist agencies in developing policies and practices that consider the needs of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(10) Ensure District-wide compliance with laws and policies that protect the civil rights of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(11) Assist agencies and the Council with referrals to qualified interpreters;

(12) Coordinate with the appropriate agencies to provide:

(A) All members of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities who are children with support and access, from birth, to all services necessary to ensure language access and developmental support; and

(B) The deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities with support and access to workforce development opportunities;

(13) Provide training to agencies and the Council on:

(A) The needs of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities as it relates to each agency's and the Council's functions and mission;

(B) Cultural awareness of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities; and

(14) Within one year of the December 8, 2020, and annually thereafter, submit to the Council and the Mayor a report that includes:

(A) An analysis of the accessibility of District programs for the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities;

(B) An evaluation of the availability of American Sign Language interpretation, real-time captioning, assistive listening systems, and other language access measures for the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities, at agencies and the Council; and

(C) Recommendations for new laws, policies, or programs that address the needs of the deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing communities.