About Us
In January 2024, Governor Hochul re-established the Interagency Coordinating Council (IAC) within the Office of the Chief Disability Officer.
The Interagency Coordinating Council is overseen by the New York State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office (NYSDDBHH).
The Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office acts as a hub of information for state agencies, local governments and organizations to better serve individuals of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing communities.
The Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office and the Interagency Coordinating Council on Services to Persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing are now based within the Chief Disability Office within the Executive Chamber.
New York State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office Core Principles
Mission
Vision
Value
Watch: 2026 International Mother Language Day
On February 21, New York State celebrated International Mother Language Day!
On February 21, 1952, the people of Bangladesh fought for their right to speak Bangla, their mother language. To honor that day, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared International Mother Language Day as an annual observance worldwide starting in 2000.
Today, Bangla is one of over 800 mother languages spoken across New York State. We uplift and celebrate our state's cultural and linguistic diversity and invite you to share what your mother language means to you.
Watch with subtitles in the following languages:
Arabic (العربية), Bangla (বাংলা), French (Français), English, Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen), Italian (Italiano), Korean (한국어), Polish (Polski), Russian (Русский), Simplified Chinese (简体中文), Spanish (Español), Traditional Chinese (繁體中文), Urdu (اُردُو), Yiddish (ייִדיש)
Watch: Improving Access for New York State's Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Communities
Descriptive Audio: Improving Access for NYS's Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Communities
Resources
The New York State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office has compiled a list of state, national and other resources in various topics to assist the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing community.
Reasonable Accommodation Resources
New York State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office Christopher Woodfill
On January 2, 2024, Chris (he, his, him) was appointed by Governor Hochul as Executive Director of the New York State Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Office. Prior to working at the NYSDDBHH Office, Chris served as the associate executive director for 10 years at the Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults. Chris also served two years as the Helen Keller National Center regional representative for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. For 13 years, Chris was a high school teacher at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. He has been active in both the Deaf and DeafBlind communities at local, state, national and international levels for about three decades. Chris identifies as a DeafBlind person.
Our Partners within the Chief Disability Office
Office of Chief Disability Officer
The CDO advocates on behalf of people with disabilities to represent the issues people with disabilities face.
Partnership for Inclusive Internships (PII)
The PII program creates internship opportunities in State agencies for individuals with disabilities to foster diversity and inclusive hiring.
Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC)
The MISCC ensures that New Yorkers of all ages with disabilities receive care and services in settings appropriate to their individual needs.