TN Legislature Bills for the Deaf in 2019

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According to the TN Disability Coalition (TDC), in 2019, bills for the Tennessee School for the Deaf to establish both a school for the Deaf in Middle Tennessee and a Deaf mentor pilot project in Knoxville were passed. SB310/HB567, sponsored by Representative Mark White of Memphis, and Senator Becky Duncan Massey of Knoxville, will establish a deaf mentorship pilot program. The program will pair a deaf adult with the family of a deaf child to help the family and the child learn American Sign Language (ASL) and expose them to Deaf culture. The pilot program will take place at the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville during the 2019-2020 school year. Legislation was passed to change the definition of a “Deaf person” in Tennessee Code Annotated. Legislation also replaced the language “hearing impaired” with “Deaf or hard of hearing” in the code. 

People with limited hearing face unique challenges in the home. CAPS trained consultants can help with home modifications for people with limited hearing.

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Richard Acree is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) offering services as a building inspector, planner and project monitor for home modifications to allow disabled individuals to live in their homes longer. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in collaboration with AARP and other experts, developed the CAPS designation, which is achieved through training and testing during a multicourse educational program. The NAHB has been approved as a provider of American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) training for Marketing & Communicating with the Aging In Place Client (CAPS I), Design Concepts for Livable Homes and Aging In Place (CAPS II) and Details & Solutions for Livable Homes and Aging In Place (CAPS III) courses.

As a CAPS consultant, Richard serves as a building inspector, planner, and project monitor. Richard combines his CAPS certificate with his ADAC certification, years of experience as a home and commercial building inspector, and his degree in engineering to offer a unique combination to develop plans for home modifications for people with mobility issues. ADAC is the American’s with Disabilities Act Coordinator certification required by the US Department of Justice for most government organizations.

Please call Richard today at 615-752-0060 to discuss your needs for improved home accessibility and safety.

ADA Inspections Nationwide, LLC, offers ADA/ABA/FHA accessibility compliance inspections for buildings and facilities, as applicable to the different laws, and expert witness services with respect to ADA/ABA/FHA laws for building owners, tenants and managers. Also, ADAIN offers consulting for home modifications as a CAPS consultant for people wishing to age in place in their homes. For a complete list of services please see ADAIN Services.