ADVOCACY

For almost three decades, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services has come alongside West Michigan’s Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities to advocate for equal opportunity and access. While things have gotten better since the passage of the Americans with Disabilties Act (ADA) in 1990, there is still work to do. And D&HHS is here to do our part!Our goal is to partner with Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing community members and their families to address issues with ADA compliance and unlawful discrimination.In the past that goal has included everything from:

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• supporting Deaf individuals as they navigate the systems of everyday life, including such things as miscommunication or access conflicts with an employer, communication issues with medical and legal appointments, and more

• working with different service providers within the community and fighting for the needs and rights of the communities we serve

• advocating with parents for children’s educational needs

Our advocacy almost always includes working alongside other government and nonprofit partners who help with shelter, medical care, mental healthcare, financial assistance and more, and so we work to create positive relationships between community agencies and our agency. We also attend and staff local events and health fairs where we promote D&HHS and our advocacy program, and we develop and provide resources to the community.  We are here to serve and to partner. Contact us at npiersma@deafhhs.org or call 616-732-7358 or VP 616-828-0186.We look forward to working with you.