Office of Deaf Services

Welcome to the Iowa Office of Deaf Services

The Office of Deaf Services, formerly the Division of Deaf Services Commission of Iowa, is a proud part of the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR). DHR's mission is to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering underrepresented Iowans and eliminating economic, social, and cultural barriers.

In order to more effectively and efficiently serve our customers, the Office of Deaf Services has combined its administrative functions with the other population-specific Offices within the Division of Community Advocacy and Services (CAS) at DHR.

Iowans should expect to receive culturally responsive services from the Office. For more information about Office of Deaf Services, please contact us.

NEW - Deaf Services 2019 Survey 

The Iowa Department of Human Rights is interviewing and surveying Deaf and Hard of Hearing Iowans and their families to develop a data report.  This report will be used to help the state prioritize work, identify needs and implement new program areas.  You can access the written survey by clicking on this link:  Deaf Services 2019 Survey.  If you would like to participate in this survey, please provide written answers to these questions by no later than May 24, 2019.  You may submit them to Deb Stearns using email at d.stearns@essmannresearch.com or you can mail the answers to Deb Stearns, Essman Research, 2910 Westown Parkway, Suite 302, West Des Moines, Iowa  50266.

You can view a V-log of the survey questions at https://youtu.be/eZYkKuWwdlU.

Mission

"Our Motivation is to Serve, Represent, and Provide a Greater Understanding of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals at Any Age Across the State"

Vision

"Equal Communication, Education, and Access"

The Office of Deaf Services provides a key link to services that help deaf and hard of hearing people succeed, including health, education, employment and justice. To do this we:

• Assist with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues and policy development
• Develop ways for primary customers to access information in ASL within the community and society.
• Maintain resources and information to meet the accessibility needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers.
• Provide training and workshops on a wide variety of topics.
• Develop partnerships with local agencies and businesses to better serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
• Serve as a central information clearinghouse and resource for information.
• Provide referrals to local, state and national Deaf and Hard of Hearing organizations, legal rights information, access to government agencies, and much more.

The Office works closely with Deaf Services Commission of Iowa.