I am your new OAD president and I look forward to serving the community to the best of my abilities. 

 

It has been brought to my attention that Oregon Deaf/Hard of Hearing community is at danger of losing ODHHS (Oregon Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service) valuable service due to budgetary decision by the State. 

 

What does that mean for us? We would no longer have an interpreter referral service and we will be on our OWN.  

- No centralized referral database of ASL interpreters and captioners. 

- No accountability. (holding interpreters and captioners responsible)

- No quality control. (oversee the quality of interpreters and captioners) 

 

Imagine the chaos that this will cause for everyone in Oregon when trying to find a qualified interpreter or captioners for all kinds of things? No one would have a place to contact for interpreters. This will set us back 20 years. 

 

OAD is committed to be involved in this matter. We still need YOUR help. How can you help? 

- Contact your legislature.

- Send me your KEY POINTS on what might happen if the service of ODHHS is cut off. 

- Send me your testimonials on why and how the service of interpreter/captioners is very valuable to you and what impact it holds for you. 

 

Send it to before Tuesday, the 13th so I can present it at a meeting that I will be attending in Salem. 

 

Thank you, 

 

Frank Mounts

OAD President

 

  UPDATE: Due to involvement of the community protesting, ODHHS is here to stay. Thank you everyone!