SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 15

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Nancy Rodriguez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STUDY OF THE COMMUNICATION ACCESS TO DEMOCRATIC AND POLITICAL PROCESSES FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING PERSONS.

     WHEREAS, there are approximately twenty million persons, or eight and six-tenths percent of the total United States population three years or older, who are deaf and hard-of- hearing persons; and

     WHEREAS, there are approximately one hundred ninety thousand persons in the state of New Mexico who are deaf and hard-of-hearing persons; and

     WHEREAS, one percent of these persons use sign language; and

     WHEREAS, the number of people with any degree of hearing loss continues to increase; and

     WHEREAS, deaf and hard-of-hearing persons often do not vote or register to vote due to a lack of availability of equal communication access that results in their inability to intelligently decide on the issues; and

     WHEREAS, deaf and hard-of-hearing persons are unintentionally left out of the democratic process because of barriers in communication; and

     WHEREAS, deaf and hard-of-hearing persons crave to be empowered and to participate equally in the democratic process and all other aspects of community life; and

     WHEREAS, the general population needs education on deaf and hard-of-hearing communication access needs; and

     WHEREAS, the voices of the deaf and the hard of hearing need to be heard in the democratic process;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the commission for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and the office of the secretary of state be requested to collaborate on a study to establish communication access to ensure full participation in the democratic process for all deaf and hard-of-hearing New Mexicans; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study determine how to provide more interpreters at political events and closed captioning on political television advertisements; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study result in recommendations to be reported no later than January 30, 2007 to the appropriate legislative committee as determined by the New Mexico legislative council; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the commission for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons and the secretary of state.

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