My Rights
The best form of advocacy for Deaf and hard of hearing people is self-advocacy, fighting for your rights! You must be aware of the laws that protect your civil rights and be aware of how to exercise those rights.
Please click on the links below to access further information.
How to ask for an Interpreter
The National Association for the Deaf’s guide on self-advocacy
The Hearing Loss Association of America’s guide on advocacy
Please click here for the latest advocacy efforts and information!
The federal government has various publications including:
ADA Questions and Answers
Facts About the ADA
ADA Myths and Facts
ADA Mediation Program
ADA Information Services
A Guide for People With Disabilities Seeking Employment
Access for 9-1-1 and Telephone Emergency Services
Title II Highlights: State and Local Government Programs and Services
How to File a Title II Complaint
Title III, Section 36.303: Auxiliary Aids and Services
How to File a Title III Complaint
For additional helpful links, please visit our Links page.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA):What is the ADA?
The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the following:
- Employment
- State and Local Government
- Public Accommodations
- Commercial Facilities
- Transportation
- Telecommunications
- United States Congress
To be protected under the law, a person must have a disability or have a relationship or association with an individual with a disability. While the ADA does not specifically name all of the disabilities that are covered, they define an individual with a disability as:
- A person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- A person who has a history or record of an impairment
- A person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment
What does the ADA include?
Please click below to link to further information.
The federal government has various publications including:
- Telecommunications Act
- Fair Housing Act
- Air Carrier Access Act
- Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
- National Voter Registration Act
- Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act
- Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
- Rehabilitation Act
- Architectural Barriers Act
Click here to learn more about these and other important Acts
Other Laws
There are many other laws that protect Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Please click below to link to further information:
- ADA Questions and Answers
- Facts About the ADA
- ADA Myths and Facts
- ADA Mediation Program
- ADA Information Services
- A Guide for People With Disabilities Seeking Employment
- Access for 9-1-1 and Telephone Emergency Services
- Title II Highlights: State and Local Government Programs and Services
- How to File a Title II Complaint
- Title III, Section 36.303: Auxiliary Aids and Services
- How to File a Title III Complaint
