ASL version

If you are DeafBlind or prefer to watch the video in a darker, slower format, watch the DeafBlind friendly ASL version instead.

English version

Hello! In our last vlog, we explained the new law for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division (DHHSD). We realize that we made some mistakes in how we explained how services for DeafBlind people will be impacted. There are two parts to this correction:

Regional Offices Continue DeafBlind Services

1. The Regional Offices will continue to offer services to people who are deafblind, including mental health services and all of the other great services offered to the general public. DeafBlind consumers can still call, make appointments and get those services from DHHSD.

Two Agencies Could Receive DeafBlind Grants.

2. We thought one organization would administer both: 1. consumer-directed grants and 2. grants for Support Service Providers (SSPs) and Intervenors. That’s what we had hoped the new law would do, because this is what the community asked for in the studies that DHHSD did last year. The community said it would be easier if one place offered both types of grants.

However, we found out we were wrong. The new law does not require that one organization run both programs. DHHSD will select a vendor or vendors after asking who is interested through a request for proposals. It could be the same organization, or services might be offered to by two different organizations. We will have to wait to see.

We are sorry for not getting it right in the first vlog. We will work at providing more accurate information as we go forward.

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