2013 Idaho Statutes
Title 67 - STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AFFAIRS
Chapter 73 - IDAHO STATE COUNCIL FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
Section 67-7301 - DECLARATION OF PURPOSE.

67-7301. Declaration of purpose. The legislature finds that Idaho's deaf and hard of hearing citizens make up ten per cent (10%) of the state's population with approximately one-half (1/2) of this constituency being elderly. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals are capable of doing everything well except hearing. The deaf and hard of hearing need help in bridging the communication gap into the hearing world. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals deserve equal access to jobs, housing, education and information. Unfortunately, the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing have long been overlooked and underserved. Services that are available are fragmented and incomplete. There is an urgent need for an entity to coordinate state level programs to assure accommodation and access services for the deaf and hard of hearing. The purpose of this chapter is to establish an advisory council for the deaf and hard of hearing whose mission will be to create an environment in which hearing impaired Idahoans of all ages have an equal opportunity to participate fully as active, responsible, productive and independent citizens of the state.