Legislation Establishes the Interagency Council for Services to Persons Who Are Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard-of-Hearing
Friday, July 6, 2007
Senator Joe Robach announced today that legislation he sponsored in the State Senate designed to improve the delivery and development of services for New York’s deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing citizens was signed into law by the Governor. The bill, which passed unanimously in the Senate, was sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Joe Morelle and also passed unanimously in that house.
Senator Robach said, "I was proud to sponsor this bill in the State Senate and to have fought for its passage. This new law will provide a discussion focus on the delivery of comprehensive services for medical, housing, transportation, technology supports, personal care, family supports, and day programs for the deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing."
Robach said the legislation (S.1923-A/A.2461-A) establishes the Interagency Council for services to persons who are deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing. This Council will include State agency representatives and people with hearing loss and will have numerous functions toward improving services provided to people with hearing loss. The Council would be responsible for maintaining data about the needs of deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing and making policy recommendations to the governor and legislature.
Robach added, "The Interagency Council will work to identify the needs of these individuals and will establish a more efficient matching of these needs to State resources. The fact that the council will consist of members from the hearing impaired community will ensure that these services are responsive to their special needs."
http://www.senatorjoerobach.com/press_archive_story.asp?id=17414