Commission for the Deaf, LA

Commission for the Deaf

The provided text is a general schedule of public meeting dates for 2026. It does not contain a specific agenda of items to be decided or discussed for the October 16 meeting.

Commission for the Deaf

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf Board of Commissioners meets quarterly to guide programs for d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing citizens. The board will review and possibly approve final deaf interpreter minimum qualification standards, receive an update on court interpreter standards, and consider a proposal for additional funding for interpreter certification and tuition reimbursement.

• Review for recommended approval of final proposed minimum qualification standards for Deaf Interpreters in general community and PreK-12 settings
• Receive workgroup update on Court/Legal Sign Language Interpreter Minimum Qualification Standards
• Review proposed process for interpreter exemptions, exceptions, or extensions to registration requirements
• Adopt policy for temporary registration of sign language interpreters from out of state or in different settings
• Review proposal for additional funding for sign language interpreter certification and tuition reimbursement based on financial need

Commission for the Deaf

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf is meeting to discuss qualification standards and registration for sign language interpreters. The board will review a proposal for workforce funding via certification and tuition reimbursement. Members will also receive updates on direct service contractors for fiscal year 27.

• Proposed minimum qualification standards for sign language interpreters in education, community, and court settings
• Proposal for additional funding for interpreter certification and tuition reimbursement
• Review of registration process exemptions, exceptions, or extensions for interpreters
• Update on state fiscal year 27 direct service contractors for Regional Support Centers, Communication Access Services, and Interpreter Mentorship Program
• Vacancy announcement for a hard of hearing representative

The Commission approved a reduction in registration and renewal fees for sign language interpreters. The board also selected contractors for regional support and communication access services starting in 2027.

• Approved new fee structure: $10 initial registration, $5 add-on certification, and $20 late fee
• Selected Lighthouse Louisiana, Deaf Focus, Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana Independent Living Center, and Deaf Action Center Shreveport for Regional Support Centers (effective July 1, 2027)
• Selected Deaf Focus and Deaf Action Center Shreveport for Communication Access Services (effective July 1, 2027)
• Approved transition of Interpreter Mentorship Program to Deaf Focus beginning December 2026
• Approved revised January 16, 2026 meeting minutes to include Brandy Bordelon and Jerrod Wingate
• Deferred discussion on Commission Sub-Committees and Sign Language Interpreter Workforce Support to July meeting
• Deferred proposed registration exemption process for further review until July meeting

Commission for the Deaf

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) Board of Commissioners will meet on April 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, with ASL interpreters and live captioning provided. The full agenda will be posted two weeks before the meeting. This is a routine quarterly meeting; no specific decisions or proposals are listed in this notice.

• Meeting date: April 17, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Full agenda to be posted two weeks prior on LCD website
• ASL interpreters and live captioning provided
• Public comment accepted via email 24 hours in advance
• Accessibility feedback form available at redcap.link/opovdjk0

Commission for the Deaf

The Commission approved a new strategic plan and established the Louisiana Sign Language Interpreter Registration Oversight Committee. The board also accepted proposals for an Executive Director search and a DeafBlind Community Survey.

• Approved FY2027-2029 Strategic Plan (Wimberly/Gaspar)
• Approved proposal for Executive Director search facilitation (Wellons/Wingate)
• Approved proposal for DeafBlind Community Survey (Wingate/Bordelon)
• Created Louisiana Sign Language Interpreter Registration Oversight Committee (Knowles/Gaspar)
• Approved amended recommendations for the Interpreter Registration Oversight Committee (Wingate/Wellons)
• Approved meeting minutes from July 11 and October 17, 2025
• Approved meeting agenda

Commission for the Deaf

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf meets to review proposed minimum qualification standards for sign language interpreters in education, community, and court settings, discuss a new FY27-29 strategic plan, and consider the creation of advisory committees. The board also receives updates on interpreter mentorship programs, regional support centers, and mental health initiatives for the Deaf community.

• Proposed rules for minimum qualification standards for sign language interpreters in education and community settings
• New FY27-29 Strategic Plan report presented by Innivee Strategies
• Recommendations for creating a Sign Language Interpreter Advisory Committee
• Preliminary review of proposed minimum qualification standards for Deaf Sign Language Interpreters
• Preliminary review of proposed minimum qualification standards for court interpreters

Commission for the Deaf

The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf will meet to review its mandate and discuss the creation of an Interpreter Advisory Committee. The body will consider the purpose, membership criteria, and duties of this new committee.

• Discussion of purpose and membership criteria for an Interpreter Advisory Committee
• Review of committee appointments, officers, and terms of membership
• Determination of the official name and duties of the proposed advisory committee
• Mandate review

Commission for the Deaf

The Board of Commissioners will review a mandate regarding the formation of an Interpreter Advisory Committee. The discussion includes defining the committee's purpose, membership criteria, and duties.

• Mandate Review: Interpreter Advisory Ad hoc committee creation

The Board moved into a committee of the whole to establish the purpose, membership criteria, and duties for a new interpreter advisory body. The group defined the body's role in managing qualification standards and grievances, though a final official name was not selected during the session.

• Approved December 17, 2025, meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved January 7, 2026, agenda (unanimous)
• Moved into Committee of the Whole to develop Interpreter Advisory Committee details (unanimous)