The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) removes barriers to effective communication so that persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing can fully participate in programs and services throughout the Commonwealth.

The vision of VDDHH is a Commonwealth where persons who are deaf and hard of hearing can fully participate in all aspects of life without barriers.

VDDHH strives to embody these core values:

• Equal Opportunity


• Effective Communication


• Communication Choices


• Empowerment


• Diversity, Opportunity and Inclusion

The programs and services of the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH), authorized in Chapter 13 of Title 51.5 of the Code of Virginia, ensure that the agency’s mission focus on equal access for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. VDDHH works with constituents, state and local agencies, Virginia Courts, and both the nonprofit and for profit sectors to achieve effective communication through telecommunications, assistive technology, the provision of sign language interpreters & captioning, and other services.

The VDDHH Director and all staff have joined the agency the past eight (8) years and has low staff turnover and few position vacancies.  The small calibre of dedicated staff have developed a teamwork attitude.  Negotiations for a new 10-year lease for the facility is underway and all of the furniture & equipment have been upgraded.   Management of its' fiscal budget has improved to promptly pay invoices and ongoing efforts continue to narrow the gap between budget and actual expenditures.   The backend support from Department of Aging and Rehabiliation Services (DARS) continue to be productive and collaborative with outstanding support from the HR, IT, Fiscal, and General Services staff.   Some challenges being addressed include delays with procurement & contracting activities, legacy IT infrastructure necessicating a need for new databases and a website overhaul, and the inadequate # of positions and resources impede VDDHH ability to grow.   Other challenges include improving contractor performance and accountability and improving & expanding agency's public relation activities.

Program areas have been restructured to better align and respond to the service needs.  The focus for VDDHH programs and services remain on equal access to effective communication.

Some of the major initiatives over the next biennium will be critical to the agency’s success:

• A new Communication Faciliator program will ensure deafblind people have access to telecommunication services.  


• A Technology Assistance Program (TAP) request for proposal (RFP) for services provided by Deaf and Hard of Hearing Regional Specialists will be released.  This RFP will require greater accountability for contractor performance.  


• An invitation to bid (IFB) for the Interpreter Services will be released.  This IFB will streamline standard operationg procedures and ensure the COV government remain competitive with the interpreter industry in securing scarce freelance sign language interpreters. 


• To upgrade and launch improved versions of both the standardized VQAS written and performance assessments.   


• Secure state funding to ensure Support Service Provider (SSP) continuity

VDDHH is a member of the Disability Services Agency (DSA) group with Information Technology (IT) planning coordinated by the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). In-scope IT services are provided by Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA). Oversight of in-scope services and “out of scope” IT services and management are provided by IT staff located at DARS.

IT projects are planned and implemented through DARS IT unit. VDDHH has a legacy TAP database originally designed to track TAP equipment inventory but has since been modified to track TAP services.   The legacy TAP database need to be replaced.   The legacy Interpreter Services database also need to be replaced with a system having greater emphasis on coordination of interpreter assignments and online requests for interpreter services.  The VQAS needs a new platform to better track upgrades to test tools for written and performance assessments.  The VDDHH website also need to be overhauled with upgrades to include improved customer service tools and online forms and downloadable documents.  Improvements to the VDDHH IT infrastructure will allow improved real-time agency performance reporting.

The unique niche services provided by VDDHH makes it essential that the agency consider two separate sets of workforce skills. First, the agency must consider the administrative/management/technical/customer service skills necessary to do the job. These include computer literacy, written and oral communication, experience with office technology, organizational and interpersonal skills.  The agency must also consider a second set of workforce skills: those related to providing services to and interacting with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. This skill set includes American Sign Language proficiency and awareness about various communication modalities, familiarity with deaf culture, experience with assistive technogy and telecommunication technology pertinent to use by deaf and hard of hearing people.   Applicants to each agency position vacancy are evaluated whether they have this second set of skills. Some positions require only minimal knowledge and experience upon hire while others require in-depth knowledge and extensive experience. The agency generally experiences low turnover and currently there are no imminent retirements. Development of an updated Succession Plan is a necessity to ensure continuity of operations. Targeted nationwide and statewide niche recruitment has proven helpful in identifying qualified candidates who offer the necessary skill set  but, with limited positions and low staff turnover, opportunities for recruitment and inhouse promotions are infrequent. 

VDDHH currently maintain a lease for office space in the Forest Office Park. The central office provides the agency with adequate space for its current operational needs.This lease is up for renewal in 2025.  Currently VDDHH is partnering with DARS and Department of General Services to renew a 10-year lease inclusive of minor renovations.   

VDDHH faces a number of challenges which may impede our ability to satisfy expectations, impact our service delivery and fufil our mission.

As we transition from analog-to-digial telecommunication technologies, this enhance opportunities for greater access to telecommunications.  However, the traditional customer base still using analog lines are not prepared to adapt to new telecommunication equipment and services.  Telecommunication carriers may transition from analog to digital lines without any communications with their customers.  Customers may be using analog equipment that are incompatible with digital lines.  There are also limited opportunities to purchase specialized digital telecommunication equipment in the marketplace.  



Within the Interpreter Services Program, due to competetive private sector opportunities in the interpreter industry paying competitive salaries with benefits, VDDHH is faced with fewer interpreters who may choose to contract with the agency. In a post-COVID pandemic environment, many veteran interpreters have decided to retire or pursue employment elsewhere.   To excaberate the issue, there is a national shortage of sign language interpreters impacting many states including Virginia.   This will impact our ability to fill appointments with available sign language interpreters.  

The VDDHH must be prepared respond to the changing landscape which includes the provision of services through video remote interpreting (VRI) or virtual meeting interpreting (VMI) as optional delivery systems. While VRI and VMI may be appropriate in some situations, VDDHH must provide guidance to state agencies and courts on the limitations of this service delivery model.  In addition, as more consumers with minimal language skills or deaf immigrants interact with state agencies and Virginia courts, the challenge of locating interpreters who can provide effective communication increases.  Often in such situations, they are deemed non-native American Sign Language users and use of a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI – a deaf individual with training and certification as a relay interpreter) is often recommended.  Unfortunately, Virginia only has 2 Certified Deaf Interpreters residing in the Commonwealth and they tend not be available.  

There continues to be a lack of general awareness about the unique niche needs, particularly access to effecitve communication for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities look to VDDHH to be both a model and a promoter of the same. This lack of general awareness is not limited to the private sector. Government agencies are often unprepared to serve members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing, because of a lack of understanding of the unique needs of these consumers. Deaf Virginians have noted the lack of public spaces identified as "Deaf Friendly" and sometimes forego the public programs and services available to them.

Funding for the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) comprises of General, Special and Federal Funds. General Funds support the community and interpreter services as well as the administrative services.

Most of the Special Fund appropriation is for the provision and oversight of the federally-mandated telecommunications relay service, Virginia Relay, as well as the related equipment distribution program (Technolgy Assistance Program).  The Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) also receives a small annual income from VQAS candidate registration fees. 

The Federal Fund appropriation is for the Virginia Department of Education special education grant that the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) program receives approximately $80,000 annually via federal funds for the assessment of educational interpreters.   For FY24, VDDHH also maintains a Virginia Board of People with Disabilities (VBPD) grant for the provision of Support Service Provider (SSP) program.  This grant using federal funds is expected to be exhausted by June 30, 2025.      VDDHH also participates in another federal grant program administered by Idaho State University and Gallaudet University for the provision of the "Promoting Equity in Healthcare Interpreting" (PEHI) which will continue for a few more years.

VDDHH receives funds collected from the Communications Sales and Use Tax in order to maintain contracts for telecommunications relay services and to provide telecommunications related equipment to qualified applicants through the Technology Assistance Program (TAP).  Additional revenue for miscellaneous services is collected from candidate fees for participation in the Virginia Quality Assurance Program. These fees cover only a portion of the actual cost of administration of the assessments.

Calendar year 2023 statistics from the Strategic Plan Performance Measures highlight the extensive efforts of VDDHH to maximize the impact of services.  In most cases, these statistics remain stable, however, it must be noted that, as the analog-to-digial transition expands, the number of calls made through the traditional telecommunication relay service (TRS) show a declining trend as callers migrated to internet-based relay services which VDDHH does not regulate nor provide oversight.   Internet-based relay services is regulated with oversight by the Federal Communication Commission.    Similiarly, the Technolgy  Assistance Program is undergoing a period of analog-to-digial transition over the past several years.  Equipment distribution statistics are trending down as the demand for the analog equipment offered has decreased.  However VDDHH has been addressing this by looking at and purchasing digital equipment and expect the trend to stablize and increase over the long-term.  

Virginia Relay Users: The number of relay calls handled by Virginia Relay has steadily declined since 2004 as relay users migrate toward internet-based telecommunication relay services such as Internet-protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP-CTS), Internet-protocol Relay (IP-Relay) and Video Relay Services (VRS) proliferate. The actual number of users of all relay services continues to increase as this newer technology allows individuals to satisfy their telecommunication needs. For example, native signers of American Sign Language (ASL) prefer to actively use internet-based Video Relay Service (VRS) rather than the English language and text-based relay. 

Technology Assistance Program (TAP) Recipients: The population base in the Technology Assistance Program (TAP) continues to shift as more persons who are hard of hearing, veterans and older Virginians, learn about and participate in the program. While this trend is expected to contiue, a shift to mobile equipment distribution would increase the number of Deaf applicants receiving equipment as well.

Interpreters Seeking Credentials: The number of interpreters seeking credentials through the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening Program (VQAS) should remain stable. It is possible that, as candidates choose to take both the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) and the VQAS Performance Assessment, the actual number of assessments administered may rise slightly.

Deaf Consumers Using Interpreter Services: The overall number of requests for interpreter services processed in Interpreter Services is stable.  VDDHH anticipate a continued increase in the number of foreign sign language users (e.g. immigrants) who may seek interpreter services. This is primarily reflected in the number of courts and state agencies seeking interpreters for deaf using foreign sign languages other than ASL (e.g. Mexican Sign Language).

Families of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children:  Families of deaf children aged birth to eight (8) receive Deaf Mentor services.   Families seek opportunities to learn American Sign Language so they may communicate with their deaf children.   Currently there is a wait list for Deaf Mentor services but VDDHH need to train more deaf adult role models.  As greater awareness about the availability of Deaf Mentor services become widespread, it is expected that more families will apply for services. 

Deafblind Consumers Using Support Service Provider (SSP) Services:   Deafblind people receive SSP services.   Deafblind are empowered to become independence so they do not have to rely on family and friends.   Currently many deafblind people are living in isolation and as awareness about the availability of SSP services become widespread, it is expected that more deafblind people will apply for services.

VDDHH offers the following programs and services:

Virginia Relay - oversight ensures effective and efficient operation of the Telecommunications Relay Services throughout the Commonwealth of Virgina. The provision of Virginia Relay is a federally-mandated telecommunications relay service for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing,deafblind, or speech-disabled. It allows these individuals to make independent phone calls using specialized telecommunication equipment or features to communicate with standard phone users.

Technology Assistance Program (TAP) - provides specialized telecommunications equipment to eligible applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or speech disabled including veterans.   Deaf and Hard of Hearing Regional Specialists assess the applicants' needs, install, train and troubleshoot the specialized telecommunication equipment.  

Interpreter Services - coordinates requests for sign language interpreters and real-time captioning services (CART) for state government meetings or events and court appointments. This service is available to deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind people seeking to access state agencies, the legislature, and, the Virginia courts.  Interpreter Services also maintain the Directory of Qualified Interpreters, providing a list of qualified interpreters available throughout Virginia.  

Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) - provides VQAS and the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) performance assessments with scoring and rating levels with diagnostic feedback to sign language interpreters.   This is available to enhance their professional growth and improve the quality of interpreter services.

Community Services - offers an array of services throughout Virginia including:

• Responding to requests for information and referrals on topics related to hearing loss


• Education and training to government agencies, nonprofits, and the general public


• Technical assistance to help organizations provide effective communication and reasonable accommodations


• Outreach to promote public awareness about hearing loss with the goal of increasing understanding and awareness of the cultural and access issues affecting Virginians who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind. The VDDHH website and social media platforms are used to distribute relevant and timely information

Deaf Mentor (DM) - provides family support activities to families of deaf children age 8 or younger in their homes including teaching American Sign Language, introducing families to the deaf community, providing resources including assistive technology and shared life experiences as a deaf adult.  

Support Service Provider (SSP) - empowers deafblind people to live independently.  SSPs provide visual information to deafblind people in their natural environment.  SSP activities include but not limited to reading letters and emails, shopping, appointments at healthcare facilities or other, etc.  

Virginia Relay is experiencing a long-term decline in the use of telecommunication relay services due to the analog-to-digital transition within the telecommunication industry.   

The Telecommunication Assistance Program has a steady trend in the number of clients served however contractors' underperformance has impeded the ability to serve more prospective clients within the larger deaf and hard of hearing populations.  

Demand for interpreter services is increasing despite the shortage of qualified sign language interpreters readily available.

Assessments of sign language interpreters has a steady trend in the number of assessments conducted however a few long-term initiatives is expected to result in a gradual increase of assessments.

Requests for information and referrals has a steady trend.   Requests for education and training sessions has been increasing in proportion to greater public awareness about VDDHH services.  

The Virginia Relay and Technology Assistance Program are supporting the mission of VDDHH. By empowering people with hearing loss or speech disabilities to make phone calls, they will achieve access to telecommunications without barriers. By providing low-income people with hearing loss or speech disabilities expensive specialized telecommunication equipment, they will be able to make phone calls. These programs will enable them to become productive people within Virginia.

§ 51.5-112. Powers and duties of Department
§ 51.5-115. Telecommunications relay service; standards; funding

Specialized telecommunication equipment cost money and deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled people who have low income can apply to receive this equipment to determine eligibility. If eligible, they will receive assessments of their telecommunication needs, equipment delivery, installation and troubleshooting as well as training on how to use the equipment

• Modernize equipment inventory by replacing analog equipment with digital equipment

• Procure new contracts to provide services to enable clients to use equipment efficiently and efficiently

The telecommunication relay services empower deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and people with speech disabilities to make independent calls to hearing people. As a federal designated telecommunication relay service (TRS) administrator, VDDHH procure and oversee a TRS provider administering the Virginia Relay and ensure minimum standards compliance. VDDHH also submit reports to both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FCC contractor, a TRS fund administrator.

• Explore feasibility of implementing the Universal Telecommunication Access Platform (UTAP) to enable relay users to transition from analog to digital relay

• Explore feasibility of implementing a Communication Facilitator (CF) program to empower deafblind people to make calls via Video Relay Service (VRS)

Interpreter services and Virginia Quality Assurance Screening are supporting the mission of VDDHH. By providing people with hearing loss reasonable accommodations, they will achieve access to government programs and services. These programs will enable them to communicate effectively with government officials.

§ 51.5-113. Statewide interpreter service

VDDHH administers the assessments of interpreting skills of sign language interpreters and sign language skills of people who work with deaf or deafblind people. The assessments of interpreting skills of sign language interpreters are based on the language/communication modality as used by the interpreter which can be either American Sign Language (ASL) or Cued Speech. Credentials or certifications are awarded based on the results of the assessments. The assessments of sign language skills are based on the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) and is not intended for interpreting but to work and/or communicate directly with people who are deaf or deafblind using sign language.

• Upgrade VQAS testing materials and develop diagnostic resources and tools

• Expand as a Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) certification testing site

• Seek a HR requirement that incumbents of state positions working directly with sign language users be assessed via the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI)

Deaf and hard of hearing people would need accommodations to effectively communicate with government officials. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of government would make requests for interpreter and/or captioning services to VDDHH. VDDHH would then identify an available provider to be assigned to the agency.

• Procure software to effective and efficiently coordinate interpreter services

• Seek a staff interpreter position to satisfy the communication needs of the VDDHH staff and provide programmatic support

• Promote the availability of the Virginia Higher Education Accessibility Partners (VHEAP) cooperative captioning contracts to executive agencies and K-12 schools

• Procure a new multivendor interpreter services contract with competitive rates and expand to include interpreter referral agencies

• Participate in the "Promoting Equity in Healthcare Interpreting" (PEHI) federal grant partnership to enhance interpreting skills

Community Services with its' Deaf Mentor (DM) and Support Service Provider (SSP) are supporting the mission of VDDHH. By providing resources to constituents and programs to satisfy the needs of underserved populations, they will achieve access to programs and services offered through businesses and nonprofit organizations.

§ 51.5-112. Powers and duties of Department

Families with deaf children do not know how to effectively communicate and often seek deaf adults to teach them American Sign Language (ASL). Deaf adults serve as a positive and professional role model and offer ASL instruction, shared experiences about growing up in a hearing world, exposure to assistive technology, introduction to deaf community and deaf culture.

• Fill the vacant Deaf Mentor Coordinator part-time position

• Provide SKI-HI Institute training to 15 prospective Deaf Mentors to expand the pool of providers

• Pursue opportunity to convert the Deaf Mentor Coordinator from part-time to full-time

The Support Service Provider pilot project provide visual information to deafblind people in their natural environment so they can be empowered to make decisions and live independently without reliance on family and friends. The SSP program is operating on a Virginia Board of People with Disabilities grant that will expire by June 30, 2025.

• Seek solutions to ensure service continuity for July 2025 and beyond

• Conduct a performance review to improve the administration of the SSP project to manage it more effectively and efficiently

• Conduct a study of the transportation barriers and issues as faced by deafblind people

Constituents contact VDDHH daily and make requests seeking information and/or referrals to niche providers on a wide range of birth-to-grave niche topics relating to hearing loss and people who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind. Requests are received via email, phone, mail, website form, and in-person. VDDHH staff and contractors would compile the information and create a list of providers in an individualized and customized response to these specific requests based on what they are seeking.

• Modernize the information and referral system

• Develop information and resources to address aging and housing issues

VDDHH provides education and training opportunities about hearing loss, how to provide accommodations and effectively communicate with people who are deaf, hard of hearing and speech disabilities. These services are available to organizations in the government, business and nonprofit sectors.

• Modernize the tracking and reporting of education and training activity

• Expand outreach activities to enhance awareness of VDDHH programs and services

This service area provides access to telecommunication services and specialized telecommunication equipment and assistive technology for Virginia citizens who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind or who have difficulty speaking. The service area comprises of two programs, the Virginia Relay and the Technology Assistance Program (TAP). 

The Technology Services service area directly aligns with the agency's mission.  Technology services remove barriers to telecommunications by providing telecommunication relay services and specialized telecommunication equipment or assistive technology.   

Technology Assistance Program (TAP) – The VDDHH equipment distribution program (TAP) provides assistive technology, primarily for telecommunications purposes, to qualified applicants who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired either at no cost or a discounted cost. Eligibility is based on verification of disability, income, and residency. There are no age restrictions. After pre-screening, qualified applicants are loaned equipment for a period of 30 days to evaluate its ability to restore communications access; if successful, the equipment is assigned to the applicant. Devices available include text telephones (TTYs), large print TTYs, amplified telephones, Voice Carry Over and captioned telephones, Hearing Carry Over telephones, and visual, tactile, and audible signalers. In addition, special order equipment is available on a case-by-case basis. Access is provided by qualified regional TAP Specialist who contract with the agency.



Virginia Relay Oversight - Virginia Code § 51.5-115 establishes VDDHH as the oversight agency for the operation of telecommunications relay services in the Commonwealth. Currently, oversight responsibilities  are for  legacy relay services including those for persons with a speech disability. Since the original Code language was written, internet-based technology has mushroomed and many new relay services are now available. These services, including but not limited to internet-protocol relay (IP Relay), video relay service (VRS), Spanish relay, and real-time text (RTT), are now readily available to deaf and hard of hearing citizens nationwide. These new services are currently provided by emergent national relay providers and are largely supported by a federal interstate TRS fund. While VDDHH retains Code authority for the oversight of telecommunication relay services such as TTY-based and captioned telephone relay services, consumers consider the agency as a primary resource for information, referral, equipment and training on all types of relay services, including those provided through the internet.

Virginia Relay Advisory Council (VRAC) - The Council assists VDDHH with the oversight of the current relay contracts and serves as a consumer-based focus group for development and testing of new relay features and services. Expenses for VRAC meetings are supported by Special Funds. The success of the VRAC has been due in large part to the diversity of its membership and their representation of a cross-section of relay users. Council members include representatives from the Virginia Association of the Deaf (VAD), a Virginia Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA), the Virginia Association of Deaf Blind (VADB), a Center for Independent Living (CIL), and the Speech and Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV). Council members also include a captioned telephone relay user, a user of Speech to Speech relay, a Video Relay user, an internet-relay user, and two hearing individuals that regularly use Virginia Relay. In addition to these members, representatives from VDDHH and the current relay contractors also participate in the Council meetings as non-voting members. VRAC members and the groups they represent serve as the principal source of consumer feedback on relay service quality, development of new features, and technical assistance activities.

Of the Non-General Funds for VDDHH Technology Programs in FY 19,  $2,648,260 is appropriated for the administration, oversight, and contracted operations of Virginia Relay.  The remaining $500,000 is appropriated for the administration and distribution of related assistive technology and specialized telecommunicaiton equipment.

This service area provides access and community support services for Virginia citizens who are deaf, hard of hearing, their families and the professionals who serve them. The service area comprises of five programs: Interpreter Services; Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS), Community Services, Deaf Mentor (DM) and Support Service Provider (SSP).

This Consumer, Interpreter and Community Support service area directly aligns with the agency’s mission.  Services remove barriers to state government services as well as other programs and services throughout Virginia.   

Virginia Quality Assurance Screening – VDDHH provides Quality Assurance Screening for sign language interpreters and cued speech transliterators. This program consists of the Written Assessment which must be passed before a candidate may participate in the Performance Assessment. Performance Assessments are reviewed by trained “raters” who score the performance based on strict criteria and further reviewed by a qualified diagnostician who provides detailed diagnostic feedback on areas of strength and weakness, along with suggestions for improvement. Since 2012, VQAS has also been an authorized administrator of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), a national assessment accepted by the Virginia Department of Education as a credential for classroom interpreters.



Interpreter Services – VDDHH coordinates requests for interpreter services and Communication Access Real Time Translation (CART) from state agencies and courts. The agency is transitioning from a contract for interpreter services to a statewide service, which will be available to all state and local government entities. The agency also maintains a Memorandum of Understanding with the Supreme Court of Virginia to provide services in courts across the state.  In statewide and local emergency situations, the Department provides Emergency Management officials with information about interpreters available to assist in shelters and other critical areas.

Directory of Qualified Interpreters – VDDHH publishes a Directory of Qualified Interpreters which provides contact information on interpreters who meet or exceed the Code definition of “qualified interpreter.” This directory is available to assist businesses, nonprofits and agencies in locating qualified interpreters for events or appointments involving consumers who are deaf.

 Community Services – The Community Services program is an integral part of all other VDDHH programs. Community Services staff are often the first point of contact for the public.

• Training – Training is a component of every Service Area at VDDHH. Provided primarily through Community Services staff, topics include use of assistive technology, how to use and acquire a qualified sign language interpreter, availability of services from other state and local agencies, and appropriate procedures in an emergency or law enforcement situation. Other topics include adapting to hearing loss, understanding educational options and services, learning sign language, as well as conducting specialized trainings to police, courts, and Public Safety Answering Points (9-1-1 dispatchers). Additionally, Community Services promote public awareness via a variety of outreach activities, including booths at health fairs, transition (high school to higher education or employment) or community-sponsored events, and presentations to civic groups and schools.


• Information and Referral – VDDHH responds to requests for information and referral to connect residents, agencies and businesses with resources on niche topics related to deaf and hard of hearing people.


• Individualized Assistance – VDDHH staff provide assistance to deaf and hard of hearing consumers who are having difficulty resolving issues as a direct result of their hearing loss, usually due to a lack of communications access. Issues addressed might include housing, employment, healthcare, legal, and other daily living challenges.

Of the total annual General Fund Appropriations,  $314,473 provides support for Community Services (formerly VDDHH Outreach),   $167,399 provides support for the Interpreter Services program, with the remaining $123,079 for the administration of the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) program.   VQAS also receives up to $18,948 in Special Revenue Appropriations for the receipt and expenditure of candidate registration fees, as well as up to $100,000 Federal Appropriation for the administration of a federal IDEA grant for the rating and diagnostics of sign language interpreters/candidates.

This service area provides support to the administration and operations to all of the agency’s programs and services as well as the Advisory Board.  Services include duties and responsibilities related to management, human resource, information technology, office administration, facility and equipment, state car, procurement, fiscal, policy, legislation, and more.     The service area comprises of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Department of Aging and Rehabiliative Services (DARS) as well as four positions: the Director, Business Manager, Policy Analyst, and the Administrative Assistant.  

The Administrative Services area supports the agency's mission.   Services ensure that the Department function efficiently and effectively with its' administration and operations.

Advisory Board - VDDHH provides staff support to the gubernatorially appointed advisory board. Support includes research, training, policy guidance, logistics and administrative support.

Legislative Liaison - VDDHH provides legislative analysis and expert testimony on bills related to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. The liaison provides timely updates on legislation affecting people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Regulatory Coordination - VDDHH maintains regulations for public participation, TAP and Interpreter Programs.

Interagency Collaboration - In order to ensure that programs and services of the Commonwealth address communications access issues and other concerns of people who are deaf or hard of hearing, VDDHH staff often serve on work groups, task forces, and planning groups with other state agencies, providing program and policy guidance.

Administrative Support - Administrative Services provides general guidance, provide administrative and office support to all of VDDHH programs. This include but not limited to office procedures, publications, facility and state car, vendor registration, and website coordination.

Of the annual General Fund Appropriation, $38,798 is paid to the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services for the provision of administrative and back-office functions as outlined in our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU includes human resources, information technology, fiscal, facility, state vehicle, and procurement support.  An additional $53,206 is budgeted for direct payment for VITA services  The remaining appropriation is for the oversight, guidance and operational support to all programs.