For advocacy, assistance, referrals, training, or information,
contact your local Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialists below:

About Access Specialist:
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist (DHHAS) operates with the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ODDHS) program under the Texas Health and Human Services. The ODDHS program contracts through local service providers to assist state and local governments, various organizations, and public-private entities to ensure that their services are readily accessible to deaf or hard of hearing.individuals. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist has the knowledge-base and communication ability to work with deaf, hard of hearing. late deafened, or deaf-blind persons. They specializes in advocacy, self-empowerment, and sensitivity training as with federal and state mandates on equal access to services, education, and employment. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialists also mediate appropriate service provision between “consumers and service providers

Law Related To Our Services

• American with Disabilities ACT
• Indiviual with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.)
• Rehabilitation Act Section 504
• Fair Housing Act
• Federal & State Laws

In Texas, eleven regions provide resources and information through Access Specialists with the assistance of the HHSC-ODHHS program. In our local area, our office covers region 11 with 19 counties in lower South Texas.

What can we do?

• Offer assistance to apply for programs such as Certificate of Deafness Tuition Waiver and Driver Visor Cards for those who may be
• Work with consumers with hearing loss, their families, state, local, and federal agencies; courts, schools/colleges, first responders; public and private businesses, and service organizations
• Provide advocacy and consultation, community outreach, mediation, school-to-work transition, and training. on diverse issues: cultural sensitivity, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), federal and state laws, communication access. 911 access, and assistive technology, and Deafness 101.

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To locate Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialists in other regions of Texas, visit the HHSC – Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (ODHHS) website at https://hhs.texas.gov/deaf-hard-hearing

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Specialist Program Funded by HHSC Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearng Services (ODHHS)