HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.294
Reps. Koleszar, Breen, Brixie, Glanville, Haadsma, Hood,
MacDonell, Paiz, Rheingans and Wilson offered the following
resolution:
1 A resolution to declare September 2024 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, and Hard of Hearing, at least 7.4 percent of the
10 Michigan population identify as deaf, deafblind, or hard of
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1 hearing; and
2 Whereas, Our state benefits from the many contributions of
3 deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing residents throughout the
4 state; and
5 Whereas, All of Michigan is enriched by the diverse and unique
6 heritage, language, and culture of the deaf community; and
7 Whereas, People who identify themselves as deaf belong to a
8 cultural and linguistic community with shared language, social
9 norms, rules of behavior, and history; and
10 Whereas, It is important to ensure that Michigan’s deaf,
11 deafblind, or hard of hearing individuals have equal access to the
12 many benefits and opportunities available to hearing individuals to
13 live, work, play, and communicate in Michigan; and
14 Whereas, To commemorate the first congress of the World
15 Federation of the Deaf, which was held in September of 1951, our
16 state recognizes the entire month of September as Deaf Awareness
17 Month; and
18 Whereas, The purpose of Deaf Awareness Month is to increase
19 public awareness of the issues and the culture of people who are
20 deaf, as well as to promote equal access to information and
21 services for deaf individuals, to educate the public about the
22 misconceptions of being deaf, and to learn about the types of
23 educational programs, support services, and resources available to
24 people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing; now, therefore,
25 be it
26 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
27 this legislative body declare September 2024 as Deaf Awareness
28 Month in the state of Michigan.
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