Designates month of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" in New Jersey; designates last full week of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey.
Impact
The resolution acknowledges that there are approximately 850,000 residents in New Jersey with varying degrees of hearing loss. It also recognizes the significant contributions of local institutions that serve the deaf community, such as the Union Street School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Bruce Street School for the Deaf, and the Marie Katzenbach School for the Deaf. By designating these months, the state will take an important step in raising public consciousness about the challenges faced by individuals who are deaf, including employment barriers and misconceptions about the community.
Summary
AJR135 is a Joint Resolution introduced in New Jersey that designates the month of September each year as 'Deaf Awareness Month' and the last full week of September as 'Deaf Awareness Week'. This resolution aims to promote awareness about the culture, heritage, and language of individuals who are deaf, as well as to highlight the various challenges that people experiencing hearing loss face in their daily lives. By officially recognizing these periods, the resolution seeks to encourage public education and celebration of the deaf community across the state.
Contention
While the resolution largely focuses on raising awareness and fostering understanding, potential points of contention could arise around the adequacy of existing support systems for the deaf community in New Jersey. Critics may argue that designation alone does not equate to meaningful action or policy changes needed to enhance accessibility or improve quality of life for the deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Thus, it will be vital for stakeholders and advocates to ensure that this resolution leads to tangible outcomes that benefit the deaf community.
Carry Over
Designates month of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" in New Jersey; designates last full week of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey.
Designates month of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Month" in New Jersey; designates last full week of September each year as "Deaf Awareness Week" in New Jersey.