Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals have certain basic rights. All public and private agencies must provide reasonable accommodations for these individuals when requested, as stated in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Interpreting services must be provided by all agencies that received federal funds, according to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

The Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing is available to assist you in attaining equal access to all federal, state and local services that are available to the public. For assistance and clarification on your rights, contact a Regional Center near you.

Each Regional Center advocates for the rights of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind. In some cases, referrals may be made to resources such as the following:

• Employment Security Commission (ESC)
• United States Department of Justice and other state and federal agencies.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), passed by Congress in 1990, ensures that people with disabilities are not discriminated against in a variety of areas, including but not limited to:

• Employment
• Transportation services
• Recreation programs
• Public accommodations (hotels, restaurants, etc.)
• Telecommunication services
• Housing
• Healthcare services

The civil rights law for people with disabilities requires the removal of barriers that prevent individuals from getting jobs and utilizing public services that people without disabilities have access to daily.

Other laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities include:

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
• Civil Rights Act of 1964
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

For additional information or assistance, contact a regional center near you.