Who We Are and What We Stand For
The Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDHH) is a proactive state agency committed to improving the quality of life for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Nebraskans. We provide advocacy, oversight, and information to advance communication access and strengthen equity across all sectors of society.
Vision
Access is a foundation in every part of life.
Mission
We educate and engage Nebraskans by advancing equity, influencing policy, and ensuring communication access across information, services, and systems is built with and for the community.
Core Principles
Educate. Engage. Equity.
- Educate the public, professionals, and institutions through training and outreach that promote linguistic and cultural awareness of Deafness and communication.
- Engage with consumer groups, service providers, legislators, and community partners to shape policy and improve statewide systems.
- Advance Equity by ensuring Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals have access to communication, resources, and services through informed oversight and advocacy.
Together, we work toward a Nebraska where communication access is foundational to public life—ensuring every person has the opportunity to participate fully and equitably.
Strategic Goals (2025–2030)
1. Advance Awareness and Community Leadership
Promote communication access and cultural understanding through accessible education, outreach, and training. Support public learning, Deaf culture education, and community leadership initiatives that build equity.
2. Strengthen Communication Access and Interpreter Standards
Ensure equitable and high-quality communication by maintaining robust interpreter licensing and oversight. Respond to consumer concerns and support professional development for interpreters statewide.
3. Influence Policy and Foster System-Level Change
Engage with policymakers and partners to influence legislation, improve public systems, and embed equitable communication practices across agencies and institutions.
4. Expand Responsive and Innovative Services
Continuously assess community needs and respond with adaptive programs and services. Prioritize innovation, technology, and service equity to meet the evolving needs of Nebraskans.
5. Ensure Accessible Health and Behavioral Care
Partner with healthcare and behavioral health systems to ensure communication access and culturally and linguistically appropriate services statewide.
6. Sustain Organizational Integrity and Impact
Strengthen the Commission’s long-term success through transparent governance, responsible resource management, and ongoing improvement rooted in community trust.
