Usherla DeBerry

The meeting provided updates on the Deaf Deaf Blind Heart of Hearing (DDBHH) Working Group's efforts following the submission of their report to the Maryland General Assembly in June 2025, which aimed to support service improvements for the community. Updates included confirmation that Delegate Aaron Kaufman's office received the report and that the General Assembly session beginning mid-January 2026 will review it. The key recommendation from the report involved the Governor's Office of Deaf and Heart of Hearing (GODHH) establishing a DDBHH unit with three case managers, including a DeafBlind Advocate/Case Manager, requiring amendments to current regulations (KOMAR). The group plans to establish a DDBHH subcommittee to gather additional data and provide an addendum to their report, which may necessitate extending the working group for six months. Additionally, the Governor's office is reportedly vetting a deaf blind candidate for appointment to the working group.

The meeting included discussions on several critical areas for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. The Interim Chair addressed his role and the need for electing a permanent chair, confirming the schedule for quarterly meetings. Updates were provided on data collection efforts regarding the population in Maryland, including collaboration with Johns Hopkins, and goals for Deaf and hard of hearing seniors, such as accessibility and equitable healthcare access. The "Longevity Ready Maryland" initiative for aging individuals was also introduced. The GODHH Director reported on proposals submitted to the General Assembly, enhancements to interpreter services following approval from the State Board of Sign Language Interpreters Licensure (SBSLI), and concerns surrounding the withdrawal of the Potomac Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PCRID) from the SBSLI. Discussions also covered the "grandfathering" clause for experienced interpreters, the success of virtual town halls, and efforts to obtain updated demographic data, including engagement with the Jessup prison population. A new Deaf Access Commission was announced. The Outreach Manager provided updates on regulatory changes for interpreter licensing, including provisional and educational licenses, with a full system launch anticipated in January 2026. Updates were also shared on departmental submissions, recommendations for accessible social work licensure testing, progress on annual reports, and financial management for interpreter tests. A special topic presentation covered Pre-employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) from the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). Another speaker shared insights on navigating racism and audism as a Black Deaf man. Announcements included details about an upcoming interpreted AA forum and construction updates for the Maryland Deaf Community Center.

The meeting included a report from the Chair, Norma Moran, who announced her departure, and a discussion on filling the leadership role. Updates were provided on the Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GODHH) budget hearing and legislative activities, including the Open Captioning Bill (HB 1363). Delegate Kaufman offered insights on State House activities, discussing bills related to accessibility and criminal procedure. Kelby Brick from the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) addressed federal level developments, civil rights protection, and the importance of state-level improvements. Dr. Beth Bowman presented on human trafficking, focusing on its impact on the Deaf community and the need for trauma-informed care and education.

Key discussions included the Chair reiterating her intent to resign, creating a vacancy, and outlining the interim process if no successor is appointed. Legislative updates covered House Bill 1363 concerning open-captioned movies, which will be reintroduced in 2026. Staff reported on the LEAD-K Leadership Summit focused on federal language acquisition standards for Deaf children. A final report was submitted recommending the creation of a Case Management Unit within the Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) due to budget constraints. Updates were provided on the proposed State Board of Sign Language Interpreters (SBSLI) regulations, which address licensure and CEUs, and an initiative to collect data on Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind constituents from state departments. Interpreter Manager reports detailed ongoing NIC/BEI Certification Roundtables and Mental-Health & Religious Interpreting Workshops, along with planning for the September Communication-Access Symposium. A special presentation covered the Maryland Assistive Technology Program (MDTAP), including its core services, new Deaf and HoH inventory, and limitations. New business items addressed senior placements from the Maryland School for the Deaf, updates from the Maryland Deaf Access Committee, internal data capture for accommodations requests by the Department of Housing & Community Development, and reminded the public of free discrimination investigation services offered by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR).

The Budget and Taxation Committee reviewed the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's operating budget. There was a testimony for the office budget, including staff and other needs.