Governor Otter

State Capitol Building

P O Box 83720

Boise, Idaho  83720

Representative (Name)

State Capitol Building

P O Box 83720

Boise, Idaho  83720-0038

Senator (Name)

State Capitol Building

P O Box 83720

Boise, Idaho 83720-0081

Date:

Dear (Governor, Representative or Senator):

I am writing you about the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Council is the only program in Idaho that exclusively serves the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  There are over 130,000 Idahoans who have hearing loss, who would have no where else to turn or information on services and other types of assistance. 

Historically the Council has been an agency that has worked feverishly to help Idahoans who have hearing loss.  Before the inception of the Council in 1991, there was no place for those who were deaf or hard of hearing to turn for help and understanding.  Since the Council has been created, the following is a short list of accomplishments that have been incorporated for Idaho’s deaf and hard of hearing population.  These are just an example of how the Council has helped and supported Idaho’s deaf and hard of hearing population, but by no means are these the only activities the Council has completed since its creation in 1991.   

• Creation of Idaho Sound Beginnings to insure that all newborns are screened for hearing loss.
• Creation of 7 demonstration and loan centers to provide information and assistive equipment for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Legislation that provides a “Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights” that insures choices for families.
• Legislation that provides American Sign Language to be accepted as a foreign language credit in school.
• Legislation that created the Educational Interpreter Proficiency Act insuring deaf or hard of hearing children have an interpreter in the classroom that meets a basic standard of proficiency.
• Created Idaho Hands and Voices, a support group for parents with children who have a hearing loss.

Governor Otter’s current budget recommendation is to phase out the Council by a 25% funding decrease for the next 4 years beginning in 2011.  If the budget is approved by the legislature, then general funding for the Council would be completely eliminated by 2014. I urge you to vote against the Governor’s recommendation and urge you to support and vote for a budget appropriation for the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing so that they can continue the work of improving the quality of life for Idahoans who are deaf or hard of hearing by providing information, serving as an advocate and increasing services and access to them.

Sincerely,

Your name

Governor Otter

State Capitol Building

P O Box 83720

Boise, Idaho  83720

Representative (Name)

State Capitol Building

P O Box 83720

Boise, Idaho  83720-0038

Senator (Name)

State Capitol Building

P O Box 83720

Boise, Idaho 83720-0081

Date:

Dear (Governor, Representative or Senator):

I am writing because I have been informed that the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be phased out over the next four years.  This information troubles me greatly.  As a Deaf person living in Idaho, services for me are limited, including access to interpreters for medical and other appointments, employment and social groups. 

The Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the only place I can go to get information and help about issues that directly affect me as a deaf person including information about the American’s With Disabilities Act, Title II information, what assistive devices are available for me, a Directory of Sign Language Interpreters, and hearing aid information just to name a few.

I am asking you to reconsider your recommendation for the phase out of the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and am asking that you fully fund the Council so it can continue to provide information and services for deaf person such as me.

Sincerely,

Your name

JFAC Members