The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing supports and stands with the victims and survivors of the worst-ever mass shooting affecting the deaf community. Four deaf men are among the 18 dead, and two deaf people are among the 13 survivors of the Wednesday, Oct. 25 shooting in Lewiston, Maine.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org; services are available for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. You can chat with a Lifeline counselor 24/7 by videophone, online chat, text or relay.
ODHH advocates for all Washingtonians to receive accessible alerts, information and education to live with dignity and independence. We are partnering with legislators, stakeholders and our communities to improve access to life-saving information, and bridging the gap in communications before, during and after community emergencies. The Coalition on Inclusive Emergency Planning and its stakeholders join with ODHH and national partners to provide resources in this tragic event, to help the community move forward and heal.
ODHH and CIEP are hosting a community forum on Nov. 14 from 12:30-2 PM located at the Washington Advocates of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 301 SE Hearthwood Blvd Vancouver, WA 98684 to discuss ways to emergencies and ensure access to emergency communications in ASL. For more information, see the ODHH Calendar.
 A man with a visible hearing aid communicating into his smartphone. A navy-blue graphic appears from the bottom left that features the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline logo and reads, new American Sign Language services. We’re here to help. www.988lifeline.org
Who We Are The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State. ODHH works to ensure that services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.
What We Do ODHH operates under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and is entrusted with fulfilling its legislative mandate outlined in RCW 43.20A.725. ODHH’s work includes:
Advocacy: ODHH advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled. The Office works to eliminate communication barriers and promote equal opportunities in various service areas, including training, consultation, contract management, information and referrals, and resources to promote communication equity.
Coordination: ODHH is a centralized resource. The Office collaborates with governmental, business, and community stakeholders to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address and ensure that state services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.
Contact Us!
800-422-7930 Voice
360-339-7382 VP
odhh@dshs.wa.gov
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