| Formal Name: | Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
| Contact Person: | Natasha Olsen |
| Purpose: | The Commission was created to improve the quality and coordination of existing services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and development of new services when necessary. |
| How Many Affectable: | 20% of Nebraska's population has some type of hearing loss. |
| How Many Served: | Any Nebraska Resident with any degree of hearing loss. |
| Year Created: | 1979 |
| Year Active: | 1979 |
| Sunset Date: | blank |
| Authorization Citation: | 71-4732 |
| Parent Agency: | none |
| Number Of Members: | 9 |
| Who Appoints: | Governor |
| Legislative Approval: | no |
| Qualifications Of Members: | The commission members shall include three deaf persons, three hard of hearing persons and three persons who have an interest in and knowledge of deafness and hearing loss issues. |
| Per Diem: | no |
| Expense Reimbursement: | yes |
| Term Length: | 3 years |
| Terms Rotate or Expire At Once: | Terms Rotate |
| Required FY 13-14: | 4 |
| Held FY 13-14: | 4 |
| Required FY 14-15: | 4 |
| Held FY 14-15: | 4 |
| Required FY 15-16: | 4 |
| Held FY 15-16: | 4 |
| Support Staff: | 12 full time including Director and 2 part time employees |
| Shared or Separate: | separate |
| FY 13-14 Budget: | 1,237,692.45 |
| FY 14-15 Budget: | 1,177,475.19 |
| FY 15-16 Budget: | 1,085,089.66 |
| Other Funding Sources: | None |
| Spending Authority: | NCDHH receives a budget from the Legislature and based on 71-4732 has authority to spend those funds. |
| Since July 1, 2012: | NCDHH has assisted the Department of Education in passing Rule 51 which required school sign language interpreters to have higher test scores so they are more qualified to interpret to children. NCDHH has also worked to get LB287 passed which requires Video Remote Interpreting companies to hold a business license. In addition to all sign language interpreters that are receiving compensation to interpret must hold a license. NCDHH has also held several events in the last 4 years to promote and statewide communication for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The events range from a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Night with the Lincoln Salt Dogs and a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Day at the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo. NCDHH also attends many exhibit shows, fairs, and health and wellness fairs to promote the Nebraska Specialized Telecommunications Equipment Program, the Lions Hearing Aid Bank and the Sertoma Hearing Aid Bank.NCDHH partners with the Public Service Commission as well as the Hearing Aid Banks to get the residents of Nebraska assistive telecommunication devices and hearing aids to those who cannot afford to buy them. |