DGM- Virginia are very concerned with the lack of accessibilities for our Deaf people and we would like to suggest solutions.

● Communication

    ○ We need Interpreter qualification guidelines in ASL as well as raising the standards for the interpreting service and rating system.
    ■ Argumentative, this would benefit every other            language interpreter.
   

○ Better data collecting and researching
   ■ Form a voluntarily task force/watchdog made of stakeholders to dem and information accountability from the employment and school systems.
 

○ More funding for VDDHH (Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) to assist in these solutions DGM-Virginia suggests.

● Education

○ More resources and training.
   ■ Currently services for the Deaf do not have any good resource in ASL nor platforms to assure accessibility to Education programs. This is true for all Disability Groups - but more so for Deaf due to language deprivation.

● Jobs

○ Proactive task force
   ■ We have many issues regarding employment discrimination.
   ■ To prevent the job discrimination, proactive programs within the Human Resources or Management will have clear policy for access for people with Disabilities (Deaf) and the protocol to forming the interview  and  hire  smoothly as possible.
   ■ Cell phone tax - surcharge

● Funds will go to Virginia Department of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and improve the standards of resources, testing, training, and lobbying.