Governor Granholm Signs Interpreter Bill

Cross posted at bloggingformichigan.com

The Deaf Edge has a post on the new law signed by Governor Granholm. 

The legislation requires employers, state and local governments, public and private schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other entities providing services to the public, to provide effective communication services to all.  The law also requires that reasonable notice be given to the entity if such accomidation is required.

The legislation also defines a “qualified” interpreter as a person who is certified through the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf or by the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH) in the Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG).

In other words, this legislation standardizes the quality and availability of communication services to the deaf.

Currently in MIchigan, we have approximately 1.4 million residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, and 531 state or nationally certified  interpreters.

The Deaf Edge is a blog covering the deaf community and the campaign for equal communication access. While there, I came across this video:

Makes you think, doesn’t it? 

Check The Deaf Edge at http://deafpundit.wordpress.com/.  Kudos to the Governor and the legislature for this new legislation.