Civil Rights Program
Advocacy Services for People who are d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or Speech Impaired
Amy Sneirson, Esq., Civil Rights
Program Managing Attorney
Beth Gallie, Esq.,
- Civil Rights Program Attorney
The MCD Civil Rights Program provides a wide range of advocacy services for people who are d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or Speech Impaired.
These include:
Services are available to individuals of all ages, including children and adults. Services are provided without regard to financial status of the individual - there is no income limit to be eligible for services.
If you or someone you know is being discriminated against because of deafness or hearing loss, MCD's civil rights staff may be able to provide assistance.
Contact us if you think you have been discriminated against in any of the following places or situations:
- work
- doctors' offices or in the hospital
- counseling centers
- school or college or Department of Education
- bank or insurance company
- housing authorities/rental housing (especially if you need a visual fire alarm or doorbell)
- legal situations such as court or in a lawyer's office
- other government offices like Motor Vehicles, DHS, Social Security, general assistance and others
- police, jails or corrections
- 911 or emergency response providers
- Maine Relay Service
- closed captioning on television
Individual Advocacy
MCD's Civil Rights Program advocates assist individuals with:
- Obtaining interpreters, CART (real-time captioning), C-Print services, TTYs (text telephones) and other auxiliary aids and services, especially from doctors, hospitals, schools and government agencies;
- Negotiating for accommodations in the work place, such as interpreters and other communication aids;
- Participating in school Pupil Evaluation Team (PET) meetings, representing students at mediations and due process hearings;
- Filing complaints under the laws that protect people from discrimination:
- Maine Human Rights Act (MHRA)
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA)
- other discrimination laws
- Obtaining referrals to private attorneys and other service providers if you have a problem and don't know where to get help.
Systems Advocacy
MCD Civil Rights advocates are working to fight the root causes of discrimination by developing and implementing a systemic strategy to ensure the rights of d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or Speech Impaired individuals. MCD works with advocates and other representatives from public and private organizations and agencies who share a common interest in wiping out discriminatory attitudes and policies, and protecting the civil rights of d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or Speech Impaired individuals. MCD also works to educate public and private entities regarding their obligations under laws such as the Maine Human Rights Act, and federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
To work toward this goal, MCD has organized and provides staff support to conduct monthly meetings of the a Deaf Rights Group (DRG). The DRG is a statewide coalition of Deaf rights activists including Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing people who are committed to securing equal access for d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or Speech Impaired individuals. Members of the coalition include D/deaf and hard-of-hearing activist educators, lawyers, advocates, interpreters, mental health providers, State employees, and legislators.
The DRG began in July, 1994 when a few individuals got together to discuss how to tackle civil rights issues that were affecting people in Maine who are D/deaf and hard-of-hearing. Today the DRG is strong and active.
The DRG is open to anyone committed to promoting equal access for d/Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Late-Deafened, and/or Speech Impaired individuals. Meetings are held the fourth Friday of each month. (See DRG Meeting Schedule and DRG Meeting Minutes for more information.)
MCD advocates also work with members of the Maine State Legislature
and various state agencies to address discrimination through new legislation
and changes in state rules and policies to eliminate and protect against
discrimination.
Training and Education
MCD Civil Rights advocates also provide training and education about the rights and services available for D/deaf, late-deafened and hard-of-hearing persons. Trainings and presentations are provided to public and private organizations and agencies on an ongoing basis, as requested. Trainings are also offered on a periodic basis to people who are D/deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Late-Deafened regarding civil rights laws and how they can be used to protect against and address discrimination.
Deaf Rights Group
Maine Center on Deafness coordinates the Deaf Rights Group (DRG), a
statewide coalition of organizations and individuals committed to
obtaining equal access for this D/deaf and hard-of-hearing in Maine. DRG
is open to anyone who shares this commitment. Meetings
are held now held QUARTERLY and NO LONGER the fourth Friday of each month.
Meeting times are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meetings are NO LONGER held at the
Deering Masonic Hall, they are held at the Maine Center on Deafness, 68 Bishop Street,
Suite 3, Portland, ME 04103. For more
information, contact the Maine Center on Deafness at (207) 797-7656 (voice & tty) or
by e-mail.
Next meeting dates are 9:30 am - 12:30 pm at MCD:
May 23, 2008 at MCD
Contact Amy Sneirson or Beth Gallie for more information and scheduled events.
Information for Lawyers
Representing Deaf Clients: What Every Lawyer Should Know —fact sheet