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Department of Human Services Department of Human Services Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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Laws, legal resources and advocates
Feedback Needed On Court-Hired Sign Language Interpreters
The MN Supreme Court is looking for deaf people to give feedback on court hired sign language interpreters.

If you went to court between January 1 and June 30, 2004 and needed a sign language interpreter, contact the Supreme Court and tell them about your experience. They might ask you questions like: Did the court hire an interpreter? Was the interpreter there when you showed up? Was the interpreter on time? Was your court date delayed because they couldn’t find one? Did you understand your interpreter? Did your interpreter understood you? Did the court treat you fairly and respectfully?

Your answers will help the Court improve services to deaf Minnesotans.

To tell the Court about your experience, contact Chris Ruhl at the Supreme Court. Chris’s email is Chris.Ruhl@courts.state.mn.us His phone is 651/297-7585.

(Our thanks to Mary Hartnett at the Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People for providing this information.)


Accommodations
For information about the accommodations that must be provided to deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind individuals, contact these resources:


Legal information and resources for deaf people
In addition, the following offices provide free legal help for deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind people on legal issues related to their disability:

• Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR): 612-332-1441; (TTY) 612-332-4668; 800-292-4150
• Midwest Center for Law and the Deaf: TTY: 800-894-3654 Voice: 800-894-3653
• NAD Law Center
• Minnesota Disability Law Center
• The Client Assistance Project (CAP) can also represent deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind regarding disagreements with either vocational rehabilitation services or State Services for the Blind. You can reach them at: 1-800-292-4150; or 651-332-901 (voice) or 651-332-4668 (TTY).
Finally, for a copy of the Minnesota directory entitled "Legal Directory: Lawyers Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People", download the directory here or contact the DHHS Metro office by calling 651-297-1316 voice, or 888-206-6501 (TTY); or, send an e-mail to dhhs.metro@state.mn.us


Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (MCDHH)
The Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (MCDHH) is a 15 member statewide advisory council created by the 1985 Minnesota Legislature. MCDHH serves as an independent commission of the state to advocate on behalf of deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing Minnesotans by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others. For more information call 651-297-7305 (V) or 888-206-2001 (TTY).

Visit their new web site at http://www.mncdhh.org/.
Related Pages
•  Telephone Equipment Distribution program (TED)
•  Senior Linkage Line
•  Advisory committee application
•  Interpreter referral
•  Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services brochure
•  Disability Linkage Line

Related Links
•  MCDHH
•  Hearing Loss Association
•  CSD
•  Deafblind info.org
•  MN Hands & Voices
•  RID
•  Twin Cities Deaf
•  SSB
•  Rehabilitation services
•  MADC
•  Deaf Minnesota

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