HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.129
Reps. Koleszar, Arbit, Bezotte, Bierlein, Churches, Fitzgerald,
Glanville, Haadsma, Morse, Rheingans and Weiss offered the following
resolution:
1 A resolution to declare September 2023 as Deaf Awareness Month
2 in the state of Michigan.
3 Whereas, As the deaf population includes a wide range of
4 individuals, from those who were born profoundly deaf and use
5 American Sign Language (ASL) as a primary means of communication to
6 those with a degree of hearing loss who use hearing aids or other
7 forms of amplification and communication modes; and
8 Whereas, According to the Michigan Division on Deaf,
9 DeafBlind, Blind, and Hard of Hearing, at least 7.4 percent of the
10 Michigan population identify as deaf, deafblind, or hard of
11 hearing; and
Deaf Awareness M 23H
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1 Whereas, Michigan benefits from the many contributions of
2 deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing residents throughout the
3 state; and
4 Whereas, Michigan is enriched by the diverse and unique
5 heritage, language, and culture of the deaf community; and
6 Whereas, People who identify themselves as deaf belong to a
7 cultural and linguistic community with shared language, social
8 norms, rules of behavior, and history; and
9 Whereas, It is important to ensure that Michigan’s deaf,
10 deafblind, or hard of hearing individuals have equal access to the
11 many benefits and opportunities available to hearing individuals to
12 live, work, play, and communicate in Michigan; and
13 Whereas, To commemorate the first congress of the World
14 Federation of the Deaf, which was held in September of 1951, the
15 State of Michigan recognizes the entire month of September as Deaf
16 Awareness Month; and
17 Whereas, The purpose of Deaf Awareness Month is to increase
18 public awareness of the issues and the culture of people who are
19 deaf, as well as to promote equal access to information and
20 services for deaf individuals, to educate the public about the
21 misconceptions of being deaf, and to learn about the types of
22 educational programs, support services, and resources available to
23 people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing; now, therefore,
24 be it
25 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
26 this legislative body declare September 2023 as Deaf Awareness
27 Month in the state of Michigan.