Massachusetts Commission for the

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Line Item	Description	FY01	FY02	FY03	FY04	FY05	H1 for FY06
4125-0100	MCDHH	$5,656,825	$5,384,778	$4,991,808	$4,929,536	$5,264,267	$5,373,170
4125-0101	Interpreter Srvcs. Ret. Rev.	105,000	105,000	149,500	175,000	175,000*	175,000*
4125-0122	Interpreter Chargeback	120,000	120,000	160,000	160,000	160,000*	160,000*
Totals	MCDHH	5,881,825	5,609,778	5,301,308	5,264,536	5,599,267	5,708,170

*    Note: MCDHH collects about $15,000 less than the combined ceilings for these revenue accounts.

The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH, the Commission) is within the Office of Community and Disability Services under the umbrella of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). MCDHH serves 3 groups: people who are deaf; people who are hard of hearing; and people deafened late in life. The Commission provides specialized services for persons with disabilities and technical assistance to other state agencies so that they may serve deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Over 5,000 persons are served annually through case managers and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services (DHILS) providers. In addition, 20,000 interpreter requests are filled annually.

Approximately 8.6% of the general population has a hearing loss-an estimated 546,022 persons in Massachusetts. MCDHH serves individuals of all ages. Populations particularly in need of services are immigrants and the elderly-65% of people over age 75 are hard of hearing or deaf.

FY05 OVERVIEW

Partial Restoration to Emergency Interpreter Services; Service Gaps Persist

In FY05, MCDHH received a 7% increase over the FY04 funding level, which is partially restoring its After Hours Emergency Interpreter Services program. Overall, this budget is still 6% below FY01, unadjusted for inflation. MCDHH staff has been cut 16% between FY01-FY05, from 72.3 to 56.4 full-time equivalent staff (FTEs).

H1 FOR FY06 OVERVIEW

For MCDHH as a whole, H1 for FY06 recommends an increase of $108,903 (2%). The budget would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Line Item Analysis

Unlike the other agencies, MCDHH has one account for all of its program funding, matched by 2 accounts for reimbursements from the federal government and other state agencies. Because of this funding structure, the charts are not reproduced within the program analysis below.

Program:     After Hours Emergency Interpreter Services

The After Hours Emergency Interpreter Services program provides on-call interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing persons experiencing medical, mental health, and legal emergencies that require immediate assistance. Funds for this program extend the regular weekday service into nighttime and weekend hours by forwarding calls to the pagers of interpreters on duty in each region of the state. Because interpreters work these extended hours on a volunteer basis, there may be times in a given region when no emergency after-hours services are available.

The toll free emergencies-only phone number is 1-800-249-9949.

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY03, this program was funded at $140,000. In FY05, MCDHH has just $100,000 to pay for on-call emergency interpreter stipends. The current "fill rate"-percentage of requests successfully responded to-is approximately 75%.

FY06 Needs

To provide full coverage statewide, $400,000 is needed for this program. MCDHH has established the need for an additional $160,000 for this service in FY06.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Program:     Staff and Community Interpreter Services

The Staff and Community Interpreter Services program funds interpreters for deaf, late deafened, and hard of hearing individuals. Legal interpreters provide court room interpretation.

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY01, there were 11 MCDHH-approved legal interpreters statewide.

In FY05, there are just 10 such positions, a 25% cut from FY04 alone that has left Boston, Western and Central Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the southeast regions under- or unserved. The shortage is hampering the Commission's ability to function and individuals' capacity to access basic legal, emergency and human services supports.

FY06 Needs

MCDHH has established the need for an additional $125,000 in FY06 for communication access for substance abuse services.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Program:     Interpreting and CART (Communication Access Real Time Interpreting) Referral Services

 

The Interpreting and CART (Communication Access Real Time Interpreting) Referral Services program provides stenographers and computer equipment to individuals and organizations. The objective is to help with the responsibility to provide accommodations for persons with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other state and local statutes. Courts, doctors, lawyers, therapists, hospitals, museums, libraries, police departments, fire departments, colleges, universities, and employers are all examples of parties required to provide effective communication for deaf, late deafened and hard of hearing people.

A CART provider types spoken language into a stenographic machine connected to a computer. The computer uses special software to translate the shorthand into English and display it on a laptop computer monitor or a large wall screen, depending on the needs of the setting. Freelance CART provider fees range from $150-195 for the first two hours or any part thereof and $50-65 per hour thereafter. Additional charges may apply for projection equipment or other supplies.

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY04, the fill rate for medical and hospital interpreter requests was just 69%. In FY05, this program is suffering from a severe shortage in freelance interpreters and the elimination of 3 of MCDHH's referral specialist positions.

FY06 Needs

MCDHH has established the need for an additional $100,000 in FY06 for CART services.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Program:     Communication Access, Training and Technology Services (CATTS)

The Communication Access, Training and Technology Services (CATTS) department within MCDHH provides general information and referrals, education and training, and technical assistance for assistive technology. CATTS services help other state agencies to understand their legal responsibilities to provide accommodations for deaf, late deafened, and hard of hearing persons, and hence creates access for these persons to a range of public and private services.

According to MCDHH, typical requests are for information on: MCDHH services, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), other state and federal laws, sign language and speechreading classes, communication access, assistive technology, programs and support services, interpreter/CART issues, and schools and summer camps.

FY01-FY05 Impact

Since FY01, these services have been cut by 50%. There are now just 4 staff conducting Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) communication-access compliance trainings and providing technical assistance to state agencies, hospitals and law enforcement.

FY06 Needs

Restorations in this service area are critical for ensuring deaf individuals' access to other state services, as well as adequate enforcement of their rights under the ADA.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

The governor's budget would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Program:     Hard of Hearing Outreach

The Hard of Hearing Outreach program had been responsible for publicizing services that can meet the needs of hard of hearing residents in the state.

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY02, funds for this program were eliminated-a $250,000 loss. Currently, the Communication Access, Training and Technology Services (CATTS, see its program description above) is the only outreach MCDHH conducts, and there are no activities that specifically target elders, the largest group with hearing loss.

FY06 Needs

Restorations to Hard of Hearing Outreach would help ensure that individuals in need of deaf and hard of hearing services can access them.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 does not restore this program.

Program:     Case Management

The Case Management program assists deaf, hard of hearing, and late deafened persons in coordinating and navigating the range of supports they may need. Activities of this program include: referral services; cross-agency case coordination; technical assistance to state and community agencies in policy and procedures development; assistance to deaf, late deafened and hard of hearing individuals with complex life situations; bilingual case management services; and training to hard of hearing individuals regarding factors related to hearing loss. The total MCDHH adult/child caseload was approximately 3,420 in FY04.

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY05, MCDHH case management is provided by just 7.5 full-time equivalents for the entire state. New clients are currently having to wait six weeks to be contacted by a case manager. Additionally, there are only 3 children's specialists, a number woefully inadequate given the universal newborn hearing screening referrals the Commission has been receiving.

FY06 Needs

MCDHH has established the need for an additional $225,000 in FY06 for case management and social services.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Program:     Assistive Technology

Through the Assistive Technology program, MCDHH provides "funds of last resort" for a range of supports that enable individuals to live independently and fully, including: hearing aids; hearing aid repairs; Assistive Listening Devices; closed caption decoders for televisions; baby cry lights; doorbell lights; visual/vibrating alarm clocks; visual/vibrating smoke alarms; door knock lights; and other devices. Eligible individuals either meet low-income guidelines, are receiving Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) benefits, or are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. [Editor's Note: See the Department of Transitional Assistance chapter, line items 4403-2000 and 4405-2000 and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind chapter, line item 4110-1010, for more information on these 2 programs.]

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY01, 83 individuals were served with hearing aids. In FY05, just 10-12 persons will receive assistance. The waiting list is currently at 123 persons.

FY06 Needs

The deaf community and the Disability Policy Consortium are advocating for all health insurance providers to cover a minimum of 85% of the cost of hearing aids. Hearing aids cost $2,000-3,000 and last an average of 5 years. It is estimated that only 25% of people who would benefit from hearing aids receive effective hearing-related health care.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 would maintain services at the FY05 level.

Program:     Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services (DHILS)

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services (DHILS) programs are run through a statewide network of 10 private, nonprofit agencies that provide a range of services to support deaf, late deafened, and hard of hearing individuals. DHILS agencies employ persons who are themselves deaf, late deafened, or hard of hearing to be Independent Living Specialists. These specialists work with individuals to set and achieve their own personal goals for independent functioning in family, school, employment, and community situations.

Services offered include: peer-mentoring; self-advocacy training; life skills training; workshops and recreational activities; loans of assistive technology equipment; information and referral; and emergency intervention. The DHILS programs serve approximately 1,360 individuals annually.

FY01-FY05 Impact

In FY02, DHILS agencies were cut by 8%. They have received no increases since. Staff are poorly paid. Consequently, employee turnover is a problem. As of FY05, all DHILS agencies are now under-funded. These agencies are also under stress due to a lack of training opportunities, impacting their ability to advocate effectively on immigration, housing, and taxation issues. Exacerbating this situation, 5 of MCDHH's programs contract with Deaf, Inc., which has also recently lost United Way funding.

FY06 Needs

MCDHH has requested an additional $100,000 in FY06 for DHILS.

H1 for FY06 Recommendations

H1 would maintain services at the FY05 level.