House Bill 60: Associated Terms with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Instead of Hearing Impaired in Utah
- Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2017
Updated in 2024
Note
In a groundbreaking move, Utah became the first state in the nation to replace the term 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing' in state law back in 2017. This monumental change was brought about by the implementation of Utah House Bill (HB) 60 on March 17, 2017, which mandated the replacement of 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing' in the Utah State Code.
The Deaf community generally does not accept the term "hearing impaired." We find the term disrespectful and offensive, implying a broken system that requires fixing. The Deaf community recognizes that Deaf culture has unique characteristics, such as language, tradition, values, and norms.
From 2007 to 2009, I, along with Dennis R. Platt and Jill Radford, represented the Deaf community in the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) Legislative Task Force. We attempted to change the term 'Hearing Impaired' to 'Deaf and Hard of Hearing' in Utah House Bill (HB) 296, which regulates the USDB. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the legislative workgroup, primarily comprised of non-deaf individuals, decided to maintain the federal term 'hearing impaired' in HB 296. Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed the bill into law on March 25, 2009, with the signing ceremony on April 30, 2009.
When I learned about the passing of HB 60 and the signing ceremony, I knew I had to witness such an important event. As shown in the pictures in the slideshow below, I stood at the back of the room to show respect to advocates who championed this bill, and I was amazed by their efforts to replace the term 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing.' I was privileged to meet Utah Governor Gary Hebert during the signing ceremony. His welcoming demeanor and genuine interest in the impact of the bill left a lasting impression on me, which I will discuss in more detail below.
Thanks for your interest in reading 'House Bill 60: Associated Terms with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Instead of Hearing Impaired in Utah.' It is an honor for Utah to make history by replacing "Hearing Impaired" in state statutes with "Deaf and Hard of Hearing."
Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner
The Deaf community generally does not accept the term "hearing impaired." We find the term disrespectful and offensive, implying a broken system that requires fixing. The Deaf community recognizes that Deaf culture has unique characteristics, such as language, tradition, values, and norms.
From 2007 to 2009, I, along with Dennis R. Platt and Jill Radford, represented the Deaf community in the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) Legislative Task Force. We attempted to change the term 'Hearing Impaired' to 'Deaf and Hard of Hearing' in Utah House Bill (HB) 296, which regulates the USDB. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the legislative workgroup, primarily comprised of non-deaf individuals, decided to maintain the federal term 'hearing impaired' in HB 296. Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed the bill into law on March 25, 2009, with the signing ceremony on April 30, 2009.
When I learned about the passing of HB 60 and the signing ceremony, I knew I had to witness such an important event. As shown in the pictures in the slideshow below, I stood at the back of the room to show respect to advocates who championed this bill, and I was amazed by their efforts to replace the term 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing.' I was privileged to meet Utah Governor Gary Hebert during the signing ceremony. His welcoming demeanor and genuine interest in the impact of the bill left a lasting impression on me, which I will discuss in more detail below.
Thanks for your interest in reading 'House Bill 60: Associated Terms with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Instead of Hearing Impaired in Utah.' It is an honor for Utah to make history by replacing "Hearing Impaired" in state statutes with "Deaf and Hard of Hearing."
Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner
In the 2017 legislative session, Stephen Persinger, the President of the Utah Association of the Deaf, Pamela Mower, the Vice President of the Utah Association of the Deaf, and W. David Samuelson, a Deaf supporter, worked tirelessly to lobby and advocate for HB 60. Thanks to the support of Representative Norman Thurston, both the House of Representatives and the Senate approved HB 60. On March 17, 2017, Utah Governor Gary Hebert signed HB 60 into law, marking the successful culmination of their efforts.
Representative Thurston was a strong supporter of the Deaf community. During the 2016 legislative session, he sponsored Utah HB 325, which reorganized the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, including the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. These were transferred to the Department of Workforce Services. Representative Thurston collaborated with Deaf leaders such as Stephen Persinger, Philippe Montalette, Pamela Mower, and W. David Samuelson to ensure the appropriate and up-to-date language in HB 325. As a result of this positive working relationship, Representative Thurston was motivated to introduce HB 60, which aimed to replace the term "Hearing Impaired" in state statutes with "Deaf and Hard of Hearing."
On April 11, 2017, Governor Herbert signed House Bill 60 into law. Representative Thurston, Marilyn T. Call, Stephen Persinger, Pamela Mower, W. David Sameulsen, Brandon Bowden, Brooke Budzinski Grossinger, Milika Grossinger (Brooke's 5-year-old daughter), and I attended the signing ceremony.
Four states, possibly more, have contacted President Persinger of the UAD since the signing of HB 60 and are considering taking the same course. President Persinger reached out to them to gain further insight into the implementation process (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, April 2017).
In the April 2017 UAD Bulletin, UAD President Persinger wrote, "This may seem minor, but this is something that can have a ripple effect from the top down instead of trying to teach people from the bottom up, which takes a lot more energy and work. This change demonstrates that we are not merely objects in need of repair but rather individuals with feelings, emotions, and thoughts and that our group possesses a unique language and culture that we take pride in (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, Spring 2017, p. 1). It is a significant achievement for the Utah Deaf community and could serve as a model for other states seeking to replicate its success.
Representative Thurston was a strong supporter of the Deaf community. During the 2016 legislative session, he sponsored Utah HB 325, which reorganized the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, including the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. These were transferred to the Department of Workforce Services. Representative Thurston collaborated with Deaf leaders such as Stephen Persinger, Philippe Montalette, Pamela Mower, and W. David Samuelson to ensure the appropriate and up-to-date language in HB 325. As a result of this positive working relationship, Representative Thurston was motivated to introduce HB 60, which aimed to replace the term "Hearing Impaired" in state statutes with "Deaf and Hard of Hearing."
On April 11, 2017, Governor Herbert signed House Bill 60 into law. Representative Thurston, Marilyn T. Call, Stephen Persinger, Pamela Mower, W. David Sameulsen, Brandon Bowden, Brooke Budzinski Grossinger, Milika Grossinger (Brooke's 5-year-old daughter), and I attended the signing ceremony.
Four states, possibly more, have contacted President Persinger of the UAD since the signing of HB 60 and are considering taking the same course. President Persinger reached out to them to gain further insight into the implementation process (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, April 2017).
In the April 2017 UAD Bulletin, UAD President Persinger wrote, "This may seem minor, but this is something that can have a ripple effect from the top down instead of trying to teach people from the bottom up, which takes a lot more energy and work. This change demonstrates that we are not merely objects in need of repair but rather individuals with feelings, emotions, and thoughts and that our group possesses a unique language and culture that we take pride in (Persinger, UAD Bulletin, Spring 2017, p. 1). It is a significant achievement for the Utah Deaf community and could serve as a model for other states seeking to replicate its success.
A Slideshow of the
Ceremonial Signing of HB 60
April 11, 2017
Reference
Persinger, Stephen. “President’s Corner.” UAD Bulletin, April 2017.
Persinger, Stephen. “President’s Corner.” UAD Bulletin, April 2017.