The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist is responsible for promoting equal access and equal opportunity for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and late-deafened in Texas. This includes advocating for and teaching self-advocacy skills for effective communication, consulting and training on culturally competent service provision and communication access and referring clients to other community resources.
The Access Specialist must utilize a client-centered approach to provide advocacy services, empower clients to advocate for themselves, and provide information to enable clients to make informed decisions on actions to take. The Access Specialist must also provide training and serve as a resource for information to the service providers in public and private on accessibility issues, available resources such as sign language interpreters and captioning services, and culturally-competent services for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring that persons who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access and opportunity in all aspects of life.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist will be a contractor with the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. More information about the ODHHS and the Access Specialist program can be found on this website: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing/stap-services.
Sorenson’s Resource Specialist Project is funded by the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services under the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Submitter Email: RHarris@Sorenson.com
About Ricky Harris
