SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16
(By Senators
Prezioso, Barnes, Jenkins, Oliverio, Minard, Unger,
Stollings, Plymale, Kessler and Yost
)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study
the educational and communication barriers facing children who
are deaf or hard of hearing and their families in West
Virginia and the adequacy of current statutes and enforcement
of said statutes to address these barriers.
Whereas, Hearing loss impacts the most basic of humans needs:
the ability to communicate with other human beings; and
Whereas, Children who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate
using various communication modes including sign language, speech
and other means; and
Whereas, There are currently more than three hundred seventy-
five children who are deaf or hard of hearing in the State of West
Virginia between the ages of birth and twenty-one; and
Whereas, Young children who are deaf or hard of hearing
typically lack significant English language skills; and
Whereas, Many individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
remain underemployed after completing school because of significant
employment barriers including communication, literacy and employer
attitudes; and
Whereas, Children who are deaf or hard of hearing require specialized instruction, services, equipment and materials; and
Whereas, Significant barriers exist for individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing in our current education system and must be
addressed; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study educational and communication barriers facing
children who are deaf or hard of hearing in West Virginia and the
adequacy of current statutes and enforcement of said statutes to
address these barriers; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2011, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.