The 2026 Legislative Session is in full swing! This is a 60-day session, and we are almost at the halfway point. There are bills that legislators have filed that need your support!
House Bill 164 – Coverage for hearing aids and related services for children
House Bill 528 – The Governance of the Kentucky School for the Deaf
Click the above links to follow the progress of these bills. You should also watch KCDHH’s FB page for updates.
We encourage you to contact your legislators and ask them to support these bills!
KCDHH Commission Board Vacancies
Join Us in Making a Difference
KCDHH is looking for dynamic and committed individuals to serve on our board. As we enter a new phase of advocacy and program development, we need individuals who are ready to champion the rights and needs of Kentuckians with hearing loss. This is your chance to influence policy, strengthen community resources, and help shape the future of accessibility in the Commonwealth.
The following seats are set to expire on June 30, 2026. Each representative serves a three-year term that begins on July 1, 2026 and expires on June 30, 2029. The board meets four times a year and the meetings are typically 3 - 4 hours long. Interpreters and captions are provided.
--Appointed by the Governor--
Kentucky Association of the Deaf (KAD)
If interested, please submit an application and a current resumé to:
Jason Smith, KAD President
bleedofblue@gmail.com
Kentucky AARP
Applicants must have a hearing loss.
If interested, please submit an application and a current resumé to:
Scott Wegenast, Communications Manager
swegenast@AARP.org
--Appointed by the KCDHH Board--
Parent Representative
Applicants may be deaf, hard of hearing or hearing, but must have a child that has hearing loss.
If interested, please submit an application and a current resumé to:
Mona McCubbin, KCDHH Chair
anita.dowd@ky.gov
***Note: Applications/resumes for all seats must be received by February 28, 2026.***
Questions regarding Board duties should be directed to:
Mona McCubbin, KCDHH Chair
502-573-2604 (V/TTY)
502-416-0607 (Videophone)
800-372-2907 (V/TTY)
kcdhh@ky.gov
ASL Accessibility in Spectrum Stores
Spectrum is expanding ASL access in more retail stores, including a location in Lexington, Kentucky. Customers can now scan a QR code in-store to connect instantly with a live ASL interpreter on their smartphone.
This is a meaningful step toward more inclusive, barrier-free service for Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers.
Learn more and share the news!
Landmark Federal Settlement for CART Access
Tremmel Watson, a hard of hearing advocate, won a federal settlement in Watson v. Anti-Recidivism Coalition and it has established strong, legally binding protections that reinforce the right to effective communication through CART services!
Peppa Pig’s Little Brother with Hearing Loss
You already know and love George Pig, Peppa’s little brother with a big imagination and a fondness for dinosaurs. But in the newest Peppa Pig episodes, George is showing us something even more special: he has moderate hearing loss and now wears a hearing aid.
This storyline was created in partnership with the National Deaf Children’s Society and Hearing Loss Association of America and features real-life insight to make George’s journey authentic and uplifting for young audiences. It’s a wonderful way to introduce empathy, understanding, and diversity — and help kids with hearing differences feel seen and celebrated.
Celebrate this beautiful journey with us in all-new episodes out in March and head to our new YouTube channel, Peppa Pig Sign Language for Kids, featuring content interpreted in both BSL (British Sign Language) and ASL.
9th annual Kentucky Hands & Voices SuperHEARo 5K!
Saturday May 16, 2026
9:00 AM
White Hall State Historic Site
Early bird registration is open through February 25 for $25.
Includes a race t-shirt and chip-timed race bib. Virtual option also available.
All proceeds benefit outreach, advocacy, and education efforts of Kentucky Hands & Voices.
Looking for accessible summer camp options? Explore these resources featuring camps designed for deaf and hard of hearing children, including day programs, overnight camps, and programming that include siblings or CODAs (children of deaf adults):
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Convention
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Convention 2026 will be in LOUISVILLE!
Be sure to subscribe to HLAA to get news and updates about the convention as soon as they have new information!
Registration for the Convention will be available on their website in January, with Early-Bird Registration pricing through March 13, 2026.
The Hearing Loss Association of America is offering a scholarship worth approximately $1,200 to help first-time attendees attend the annual HLAA Convention in Louisville.
Open to all ages, especially young adults (18-30) with hearing loss and parents of children with hearing loss are highly encouraged to apply. If you’ve never attended an HLAA Convention and are active in the hearing loss community, this opportunity is for you!
"Moore Safe Nights" Weather Radio Distribution Program
Still Accepting Applications!
Are you a deaf or hard of hearing person living in Kentucky? Do you feel like you're always out of the loop when bad weather comes to your area? Would you like some peace of mind for when bad weather approaches you while you're sleeping?
Thanks to the partnership with Kentucky Emergency Management (KyEM); you now can apply for a free weather radio for the deaf and hard of hearing using our online application now!
PLEASE VISIT KCDHH’S
IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO LIST ON THE CALENDAR,
PLEASE EMAIL US AT: kcdhh@ky.gov
KCDHH Resources:
KCDHH’s Telecommunications Access Program (TAP):
Landline or wireless equipment for Kentucky residents who are deaf,
hard of hearing, speech impaired, or have both a hearing and vision loss.
KENTUCKY COMMISSION ON THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
632 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Voice: 502-573-2604
Videophone: 502-416-0607
Toll Free: 800-372-2907
kcdhh.ky.gov | kcdhh@ky.gov
