Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)

05/26/2026

April Mason-Donovan and Becky Davis will be attending this event. Come share your thoughts and learn about Consumer Directed Services! I am looking forward to what April has to share! We are looking into hosting this informational workshop at other locations across the state (KC, Columbia, Springfield, Kirksville, Cape Girardeau...) will keep posted. American Sign Language is the language of this event.

05/26/2026

DES/Interpreter Conference Yearly Update

Description and Transcription

Shanda Miller (white woman with dark short hair wearing a white/maroon floral shirt standing in front of blue background)
Hello, I want to explain about Deaf Education Symposium this year will be happening this year which is 2026. Since this year is even, this will repeat every two years which will be even. Interpreter conference will happen on every odd year. Interpreter Conference will happen next year on 2027, 2029, 2031 and .... The reason why we are doing this is so we can make sure this works within our budget.

Thank you!

05/19/2026

Advisory Committee on Interpreter Update

Description and Transcription
Shanda Miller - MICS Coordinator (Woman with black short hair wearing a black shirt standing in front of white wall.)

Regarding the ACI or the Advisory Committee on Interpreters, the nomination period is now closed. In July, we will discuss and take a vote on who will be selected. We received quite a few nominations but are limited to 8 people that can be on the committee. Once we select those individuals, we will let you know towards the end of July, early August.

05/19/2026

BEI Summer Schedule

Description and Transcription
Shanda Miller - MICS Coordinator (Woman with black short hair wearing a black shirt standing in front of white wall.)

I wanted to let everybody know that the BEI test schedule is going to be changing during the summer. The reason for this is because of our hours of operation during the summer. Starting on June 1st to August 15th, on Tuesdays from and Thursdays, we will have 4 different slots at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1PM and 3PM. Just wanted to make an announcement so that everybody was aware. Thank you.

05/05/2026

Advisory Committee Applications Closing May 15

Hello everyone!

I hope you're all doing well.

You may have seen this shared already, but we wanted to send a quick note that nominations/applications for the Advisory Committee on Interpreting will be closing on May 15.

If you've been considering applying or had a thought like "this could be better..." or "I wish there was a way to have my voice be heard..." or "I think more clarity is needed...", this is a meaningful opportunity to be part of that work.

We truly value a wide range of perspectives, and we'd love to see many of you bring your experience and insight.

https://forms.gle/6kUBLP8NTQ3KKDE8A
(If this link is not working, an active link is on the MCDHH website on the front page.)

To those who have already applied or nominated others, your inputs have been recorded. Thank you!

If you have any questions, please reach out!

Thank you so much, and we hope you'll consider applying before the deadline!

Best,
Shanda Miller (MICS Coordinator)
James Carter (Interpreter Representative)

Advisory Committee on Interpreting This form may be used to nominate a colleague or to express interest in serving yourself on the Advisory Committee on Interpreting under the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Committee serves in an advisory, non-governing role and provides r...

05/04/2026

MCDHH Needs YOU! ( http://mcdhh.mo.gov )

Hello, Becky Davis here with MCDHH. I am here because I need your help, yes, I need your help [those words flash across the video]. Last week we posted a video explaining that MCDHH is working with a company named Innivee. Innivee is a deaf-owned company that works with other Deaf organizations and Deaf schools, Deaf non-profits and other similar groups. Innivee consults with these groups with the goal to elevate leadership, process, and outcomes. All the while, keeping the community involved in this work. We enlisted them because, if you remember, I began with MCDHH back in 2022 and shortly after, there were town halls in four cities, Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Fulton. We really appreciated the people who came out, shared their stories, their obstacles, what they were seeing in the community. We gathered that information, and please do not think we do not work on it everyday! My team is busy addressing individual needs, trying to connect with the right people or find the right program. We continue to work, but our work did not feel as if it was progressing in the same direction. This slows down the service to the community as a whole. This occurred because we don’t have a solid organizational plan in place. Working with Innivee, we hope they can be a neutral independent sounding board. They can gather information from our community, process and summarize it, bring it back to MCDHH and we can use that information, with Innivee’s assistance, develop a strong strategic plan that enables us to prioritize community needs, complete tasks effectively, how to keep progress moving and how to communicate those changes to our community.
How does this all get started? With your information...it may be the same issues you brought up 4 years ago, it may be something new...all experiences, perspectives, your stories...will all help Innivee help MCDHH help our community. That’s a beautiful thing, right? Please take time to complete the survey. It doesn’t take long, only about 10 minutes. That is all I need. The survey is on our website. I will post the link here and in the comments and description. There is an ASL or English version, just click your preference and give it a go. Thank you!
Black and white video with dark background and Becky Davis signing in the center of the frame. Subtitles appear.
Image of website showing the two links.

04/27/2026

We need your support!!

The Communication Access Bill has continued to move forward.

It has already passed the Senate and is advancing in the House. It has cleared General Laws and is now in House Rules – Administrative.

Next step:

Hearing tomorrow
9:00 AM
House Hearing Room 4
Missouri State Capital

Too often, Deaf individuals are told “no” when requesting interpreters or are expected to find and bring their own. This can be frustrating for the Deaf/HoH/Deafplus/Deafblind community.

This bill is about making sure we can have access to communication access without being denied, delayed, or pushed aside when trying to get services.

This will support better access in everyday situations like medical appointments, legal settings, and businesses where clear communication is necessary.

This bill is about access, equality, and making sure our voices are heard.

Come and attend this hearing tomorrow and keep supporting for this bill to be passed!