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Advisory Council

In the mandate, the Maryland Advisory Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was authorized in October 2001 (Chapter 537, Acts of 2001). The Council advises the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on carrying out its duties, and reviews statewide activities for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals, including reviewing reports and publications. The Council also fosters coordination and support of programs for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals, and studies ways to ensure that individuals with hearing problems use the facilities and services available to them. The Council shall hold at least quarterly, regularly scheduled meetings and open meetings to provide direct communication between deaf and hard of hearing individuals and private and public organizations and the general public, about programs and services for and needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Also, the Council shall assist any local governing body of a county to establish a local advisory council for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the county for purposes of implementing the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other relevant State and federal laws.

Of the council’s 16 members, eight are public members from the community and eight serve as ex-officio. Out of eight public members, five shall be deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The public members are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor with Senate advice and consent (Code State Government Article, sections. 9-2404 through 9-2406).

The members are staggered in three different 3-year terms and a member may not serve consecutively more than two 3-year terms. At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. Any member who fails to attend at least 50 percent of the regularly scheduled meetings during any 12-month period shall be considered to have resigned.

The council meets four times a year, rotating in different regions of the State.