House Bill 1840 Expands Opportunities for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Missourians
For most people, communicating with a doctor, a police officer, a banker, or a government agency is something they rarely have to think about.
For individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind, those same everyday interactions can present significant barriers when appropriate communication supports are unavailable. Something as routine as a medical appointment, a financial meeting, or an emergency situation can quickly become frustrating, confusing, or even unsafe without effective communication.
That is why the recent signing of House Bill 1840 represents an important milestone for Missouri.
The legislation expands the responsibilities of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) by laying the foundation for a statewide Communication Access Services (CAS) program. While the work is only beginning, the bill creates new opportunities to improve communication access for thousands of Missourians and reinforces the belief that communication should never be a barrier to independence.
Why Communication Access Matters
Communication is one of the most basic human needs. It allows people to make informed healthcare decisions, manage their finances, pursue employment, participate in education, access government services, and remain active members of their communities.
When communication barriers exist, the impact reaches far beyond a single conversation.
A misunderstanding during a medical appointment can affect treatment decisions. An inaccessible employment meeting may limit career opportunities. Difficulty communicating during an emergency can place lives at risk.
Communication Access Services are designed to remove those barriers by providing qualified supports such as American Sign Language interpreters, real-time captioning, tactile interpreters for individuals who are DeafBlind, and other communication accommodations that allow people to communicate in the way that works best for them.
These services are not simply conveniences. They help ensure equal access, informed decision-making, and greater independence.
What House Bill 1840 Means
House Bill 1840 represents an important investment in Missouri’s Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities.
One of the bill’s most significant changes removes previous funding restrictions that limited the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s DeafBlind Support Services Program. With this change and the establishment of a Communication Access Services program, the Commission has greater flexibility and opportunity to expand services and overall access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Missourians.
According to MCDHH Executive Director Becky Davis, the Commission has already begun laying the groundwork for implementation. That work includes building the new Communication Access Services program, developing policies and procedures, and preparing to expand services throughout Missouri.
The legislation also includes Mason’s Law, creating an optional designation that alerts law enforcement when an individual may have communication challenges. This additional information can help officers respond more effectively during emergency situations and improve safety for everyone involved.
House Bill 1840 also establishes Missouri’s new Purple Alert System, creating a statewide notification program to help locate missing individuals with developmental disabilities, much like existing Amber and Silver Alert systems.
Together, these changes represent meaningful progress toward making Missouri more accessible and inclusive.
Years of Advocacy Made This Possible
Bills like House Bill 1840 do not become law overnight.
Behind every piece of legislation are individuals willing to share their experiences, educate lawmakers, and advocate for meaningful change. Consumers, family members, disability organizations, legislators, and community advocates worked together over many months to explain why communication access is essential for independent living.
Earlier this year, The Whole Person’s Clark Corogenes joined representatives from the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, (DEAF. Inc) from St. Louis, MO and (DeafLEAD from Columbia, MO) at the Missouri State Capitol to testify in support of Communication Access Services.
During that testimony, advocates highlighted communication barriers that continue to affect healthcare, rehabilitation, financial institutions, employment, housing, counseling, emergency services, and many other areas of daily life.
Those personal stories helped demonstrate that communication access is not simply about convenience. It is about equal opportunity, safety, dignity, and participation in the community.
The signing of House Bill 1840 is a reminder that advocacy matters, and that when people work together, meaningful change is possible.
Looking Toward the Future
While the bill has now been signed into law, the work is far from complete.
Over the coming months, the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will continue building the Communication Access Services program authorized by House Bill 1840. As those services develop, more individuals across Missouri will have greater opportunities to access the communication supports they need to participate fully in their communities.
For organizations like The Whole Person, this legislation represents more than a policy change. It reflects years of advocacy and a continued commitment to ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to communicate, make informed decisions, and live independently.
We are grateful to the many consumers who shared their stories, the advocates who devoted countless hours to this effort, the partner organizations that worked collaboratively throughout the legislative process, and the legislators who listened. This achievement belongs to an entire community that believes accessibility and communication are fundamental rights.
Continuing the Mission
Communication is the foundation of connection, self-advocacy, and independence.
As Missouri begins implementing House Bill 1840, The Whole Person will continue working alongside consumers, community partners, and policymakers to promote accessibility, remove barriers, and ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate fully in every aspect of community life.
Progress like this reminds us that when communities work together, lasting change is possible.
The Whole Person
3710 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
Phone: (816) 561-0304
