Self-Advocacy And Empowerment

State of Rhode Island

Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Executive Department/Established in 1977. Restructured in 1992.

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As a deaf or hard of hearing person, it is likely that you will find yourself faced with a situation where it is necessary for you to advocate on your own behalf.  Individuals with disabilities, including deaf or hard of hearing individuals, are frequently subject to injustice.  Therefore, deaf and hard of hearing people must learn to be effective self-advocates. 

Why is self-advocacy important when laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 were passed precisely to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities?  Not everyone obeys the law!  A deaf or hard of hearing person may be turned down when requesting a qualified sign language interpreter, CART services, or an assistive listening system from a college, a doctor’s office, or an employer.  It is important to be familiar with your rights under disability laws so you can explain the law, get help when necessary, and get the services you need.

To learn more about self-advocacy, please visit Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) webpage and National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Self Advocacy webpage. 

To write self-advocacy letters to help you advocate for your rights, see National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Advocacy Letters webpage.

To request for a free training on Self-Advocacy and Empowerment, click here or contact EPCAP Coordinator, Michael Baer at (401) 216-5414 Voice/VP or  michael.baer@cdhh.ri.gov.


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Contact RICDHH

Mike Baer
EPCAP Coordinator
RI Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
One Capitol Hill, Ground Level
Providence, RI 02908
Tel/VP: 401-216-5414