House Bill 60: Associated Terms
with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Instead of Hearing Impaired in Utah
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
Author's Note
When I first heard about the historic passing of House (HB) 60, a monumental step to replace the term 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing' in state law, and the subsequent signing ceremony, I was compelled to be a part of this significant moment. As you can see in the photos in the slideshow below, I stood at the back of the room, a silent tribute to the advocates who tirelessly championed this bill. Their dedication to replacing the term 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing' was truly inspiring. I also had the honor of meeting Utah Governor Gary Hebert, who graciously approached me for a handshake during the signing ceremony. His warm demeanor and genuine interest in the impact of the bill left a profound impression on me, which I will delve into further below.
From 2007 to 2009, I, along with Dennis R. Platt and Jill Radford, had the privilege of representing the Utah Deaf community on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) Legislative Task Force. Our mission was to change the term 'Hearing Impaired' to 'Deaf and Hard of Hearing' in Utah House Bill (HB) 296, which regulated the USDB. Despite our best efforts, the legislative workgroup, primarily composed of non-deaf individuals, decided to retain the federal term 'hearing impaired' in HB 296. On March 25, 2009, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., signed the bill into law, a significant amendment that would end Utah's promotion of mainstreaming and allow for on-campus education for students. The signing ceremony was held on April 30, 2009.
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.
We are grateful to Stephen Persinger, Pamela Mower, and W. David Samuelson for successfully passing HB 60, as well as to Marilyn T. Call, then-director of the Utah Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and a long-time lobbyist, for being supportive of the legislative process.
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" and witnessing the ceremonial signature!
Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner
From 2007 to 2009, I, along with Dennis R. Platt and Jill Radford, had the privilege of representing the Utah Deaf community on the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) Legislative Task Force. Our mission was to change the term 'Hearing Impaired' to 'Deaf and Hard of Hearing' in Utah House Bill (HB) 296, which regulated the USDB. Despite our best efforts, the legislative workgroup, primarily composed of non-deaf individuals, decided to retain the federal term 'hearing impaired' in HB 296. On March 25, 2009, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., signed the bill into law, a significant amendment that would end Utah's promotion of mainstreaming and allow for on-campus education for students. The signing ceremony was held on April 30, 2009.
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.
We are grateful to Stephen Persinger, Pamela Mower, and W. David Samuelson for successfully passing HB 60, as well as to Marilyn T. Call, then-director of the Utah Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and a long-time lobbyist, for being supportive of the legislative process.
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" and witnessing the ceremonial signature!
Enjoy!
Jodi Becker Kinner
Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr., ceremoniously signed HB 296 into law at the Utah Capitol on April 30, 2009, regulating Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. I'm on the left side, wearing a vest and a white blouse, witnessing the signature
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. On March 17, 2017, Utah House Bill (HB) 60, which mandated replacing 'hearing impaired' with 'deaf and hard of hearing' in the Utah State Code, brought this monumental change.
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 Utah Representative Norman Thurston's support, 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 House Bill (HB) 325, which reorganized the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, including the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Department of Workforce Services processed these transfers. 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.
Since the signing of HB 60, four states, possibly more, have contacted UAD President Persinger 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.
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 Utah Representative Norman Thurston's support, 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 House Bill (HB) 325, which reorganized the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, including the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The Department of Workforce Services processed these transfers. 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.
Since the signing of HB 60, four states, possibly more, have contacted UAD President Persinger 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.
L-R: Marilyn Call, Brooke Budzinski Grossinger, Brandon Bowden, W. David Samuelsen, Stephen Persinger, Pamela Mower, Jodi Becker Kinner, Utah Representative Norman Thurston. Center: Brooke's daughter and Utah Governor Gary Hebert at the HB 60 Signing Ceremony, March 11, 2017
A Slideshow of the
Ceremonial Signing of HB 60
April 11, 2017
Reference
Persinger, Stephen. “President’s Corner.” UAD Bulletin, April 2017.
