Minnesota and New York Expand Assistive Technology Resources for Deaf and Hard‑of‑Hearing Communities

Minnesota provides an online portal that lists assistive technology options for deaf and hard‑of‑hearing residents, including captioned telephones, personal amplifiers, and classroom listening systems, and directs users to state funding and training resources.

New York operates the Deaf, Deaf‑Blind and Hard‑of‑Hearing Office, which publishes news updates, policy guidance, and links to statewide services such as interpreter referrals, assistive device subsidies, and emergency communication alerts.

Assistive Technology resources on both sites aim to improve education, employment, and public access for the deaf community by consolidating information, offering eligibility criteria, and connecting individuals with local agencies for implementation support.

Collaboration between the two states' agencies fosters sharing best practices and may lead to joint training workshops, expanding reach of assistive services to rural schools and workplaces, including webinars on device maintenance and funding application assistance.