On February 25, team members from The Whole Person joined partners at the Missouri State Capitol to support Communication Access Services (CAS) legislation.
This bill would create a statewide program to provide communication support for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deafblind, including:
- Sign language interpreters
- Real-time captioning
- Auxiliary communication aids
- Tactile interpreters
Why It Matters
Communication barriers still exist in everyday places:
- Medical and dental offices
- Nursing and rehabilitation facilities
- Financial institutions
- Employment settings
- Counseling and community services
These are not rare situations.
They are daily realities.
Without communication access, individuals are often left out of critical decisions about their own lives.
Advocacy in Action
During the hearing, Clark Corogenes shared testimony highlighting these gaps and calling for change.
The message was clear:
Access should not depend on circumstance.
People who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind understand these challenges best, and their voices must be part of the solution.
Moving Forward
The CAS bill is still under consideration, making this an important time for awareness and advocacy.
Thank you to Patty Lewis for supporting this effort and helping move this conversation forward.
At The Whole Person, we remain committed to removing barriers and expanding access across Missouri.
Because communication is not optional.
It is essential.
