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2026
Legislative Priorities

Overview

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Deaf Diplomacy Group is committed to advancing the rights, health, and well-being of individuals with hearing loss through bipartisan collaboration and evidence-based advocacy in order to facilitate systems-level reform.

 

DDG brings awareness of your causes to policymakers in Washington. We amplify your issues, concerns, and represent our members on a wide range of issues spanning healthcare, education, accessibility, technology, humanitarian assistance, and veteran affairs. We connect with congressional offices on your behalf to advocate for relevant legislation with potential to improve the quality of life of individuals with hearing losses, and against policies which may exacerbate current disparities and structural barriers experienced by individuals with hearing loss. 

 

The following priorities, while not all-inclusive, outline Deaf Diplomacy Group’s four core tier-one advocacy and legislative focus areas of the 119th Congress.

1 / Improving Health Access & Health Equity

DDG advocates for the establishment and enforcement of accessible, equitable healthcare systems that meet the communication and cultural needs of D/deaf and hard of hearing patients. Priority policy objectives include, but are not limited to:

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  • Expanding access to private and public health insurance programs for individuals with hearing loss, including veterans, by addressing barriers to enrollment, coverage retention, and utilization of health services.

  • Expanding insurance coverage for hearing aids, cochlear implants, and related audiology services, including expanding access to hearing aids and tinnitus treatment for veterans.

  • Advancing federal/state legislation and appropriations aimed at increasing representation, recruitment, admission, retention, and advancement of individuals with hearing loss, including veterans, in medical schools, other healthcare training programs, and the healthcare workforce at large. 

  • Supporting increases in funding for hearing loss research through agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

  • Expanding funding for hearing healthcare and research on military-related hearing injuries for veterans within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

  • Ensuring the mandatory availability of qualified sign language interpreters and other effective communication accommodations in all healthcare settings.

  • Promoting provider competency through required training for medical students, physicians, and other healthcare providers in Deaf awareness, communication accessibility, and culturally responsive care.

  • Strengthening enforcement of Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability rights protections within healthcare systems to eliminate disparities in health access and outcomes.

  • Advocating against the use of discriminatory metrics, such as quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in healthcare decision-making.

  • Increasing diversity and inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in clinical trials and other public health research. 

  • Improving access to accessible health information, including public health messaging, preventive care resources, and emergency health communications.

2 / Advancing Innovation in Science & Technology

DDG supports the advancement and equitable deployment of innovative technologies (including AI) that enhance communication access, independence, and quality of life for D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Policy priorities include, but are not limited to:

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  • Encouraging investment in novel assistive technologies, including real-time captioning, speech-to-text systems, and other next-generation hearing support technologies, devices, and applications.

  • Securing funding and supporting research and development initiatives focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, accessibility, auditory science, and Deaf-centered innovation.

  • Expanding tax credits for employers that invest in accessibility technology.

  • Advocating that technological, scientific, and medical innovations be developed in consultation with individuals with hearing loss to promote versatility, usability and effectiveness.

  • Ensuring that AI models, applications, and emerging AI technologies are designed, developed, evaluated, and deployed in ways that recognize and address the unique communication, accessibility, and inclusion challenges of deaf and hard of hearing individual in order to ensure equitable access, meaningful participation, and outcomes across all AI-enabled services.

  • Promoting inclusive design and accessibility standards for emerging communication platforms and digital infrastructure.

3 / Encouraging Access to Quality Education

DDG advocates for inclusive, accessible, and equitable educational systems that support D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals regardless of age, upbringing, and background. Policy objectives include, but are not limited to:

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  • Advocating for increased funding allocated specifically towards educational (and other) institutions for the deaf and hard of hearing, including state-specific schools for the Deaf (PK-12), as well as higher educational institutions such as Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University.

  • Securing increased funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for students with hearing loss.

  • Ensuring equal access to public education through appropriate accommodations, including sign language instruction, captioning, and other assistive technologies.

  • Supporting bilingual-bicultural education models that incorporate sign languages as primary or secondary languages of instruction.

  • Expanding professional development requirements for educators working with Deaf and hard of hearing students.

  • Promoting accessibility in higher education, vocational training, and continuing education programs.

4 / Increasing Foreign Assistance for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Communities Abroad

DDG is committed to ensuring that D/deaf and hard of hearing individuals are fully included in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and humanitarian aid efforts. Policy priorities include, but are not limited to:

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  • Advocating for increased government funding and investment in humanitarian aid, including supplies, programs and services that are relevant, beneficial and specific to the unique needs of D/deaf and hard of hearing communities abroad. 

  • Expand international hearing health and disability assistance programs through U.S. foreign assistance initiatives.

  • Encouraging equitable distribution of funding, relevant aid and services to D/deaf and hard of hearing populations in regions impacted by ongoing conflicts or natural disasters.

  • Increasing representation of deaf and hard of hearing individuals within government agencies and positions. 

  • Supporting humanitarian organizations and government agencies in securing increased aid funding and developing inclusive response protocols for those in conflict zones and disaster-affected regions.

  • Integrating accessibility standards into all phases of emergency management, including preparedness, response, and recovery.

  • Ensuring that emergency communications are fully accessible through multiple modalities, including sign language, captioning, and visual alerts.

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