LRB-4122/1
CMH:amn
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
February 9, 2016 - Introduced by Senators L. Taylor, Olsen,
Gudex, C. Larson,
Vinehout and Harris Dodd, cosponsored by Representatives Berceau,
Brostoff, Jorgensen, Milroy, Sinicki, Spreitzer and Zepnick. Referred to
Committee on Senate Organization.
SJR100,1,1
1Relating to: proclaiming March 2016 as Deaf History Month in Wisconsin.
SJR100,1,42
Whereas, an estimated 4 million people between the ages of 18 and 64, or 2.1%
3of U.S. citizens, of whom 70,000 are Wisconsinites, suffer from a hearing disability;
4and
SJR100,1,75
Whereas, these individuals face enormous additional challenges in their
6day-to-day lives, from scarce education and employment opportunities to ongoing
7discrimination; and
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Whereas, the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf has identified the need to
9improve emergency preparedness for deaf people and ways to address this need,
10including educating first responders and developing emergency signaling devices
11such as fire alarms; and
SJR100,1,1412
Whereas, the deaf face a lack of accessible mental health or substance abuse
13services in the state of Wisconsin, such as few to no ASL-fluent counselors/therapists
14and low funding for interpreting services for support groups; and
SJR100,2,5
1Whereas, the National Association of the Deaf recognizes March 13 to April 15
2as Deaf History Month, to memorialize the March 13, 1988, Deaf President Now
3protest at Gallaudet University, the April 8, 1864, signing of the Gallaudet
4University charter by President Abraham Lincoln, and the April 15, 1817,
5establishment of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, CT; and
SJR100,2,86
Whereas, while great legislative steps have been taken to help the deaf
7community, from the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to the Wisconsin
8legislature recognizing ASL as a foreign language in 1991, more can be done; and
SJR100,2,129
Whereas, the Wisconsin legislature finds a compelling public interest in
10promoting awareness of the deaf community and its issues, in supporting advocacy
11for this silent minority, and in celebrating its unique and proud history in the state
12of Wisconsin; now, therefore, be it
SJR100,2,14
13Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature
14hereby proclaims March 2016 as Deaf History Month in Wisconsin.
