The Division of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing concentrates on helping to improve the lives of Michigan's Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing citizens. Our mission is affirming the indisputable right of persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing to secure effective communication.
The Division on Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Advisory Council is a 13-member citizens Advisory Council of which a minimum of seven members must be Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard of Hearing. Members are appointed by the Governor and serve for a term of three years.
Functions under the Deaf Persons' Interpreter Act are overseen by LARA-BCHS (the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Bureau of Community and Health Systems). Please visit LARA-BCHS's page below for information on the Michigan Qualified Interpreter Program and to access the state's interpreter directory.
Providers may have a legal obligation to provide accommodations such as sign language interpreters in specific settings. The main goal is effective communication between the consumer who is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing and the provider. Both parties must engage in an interactive process.
