The New Jersey Department of Human Services has announced a new round of funding aimed at breaking down barriers for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing. Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha confirmed $230,000 in communication and language access grants for three New Jersey counties, bringing the state’s total investment in these initiatives to $1.76 million since 2022.
The latest funding has been distributed to:
- Burlington County: $80,000
- Mercer County: $80,000
- Monmouth County: $70,000
These grants are designed to modernize how counties interact with their residents by funding a variety of assistive technologies and services, including Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, real-time captioning, and hearing induction loop systems.
“Everyone deserves equal access to the programs and services that support their health, independence, and well-being,” Cha said. “These grants will help ensure that residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can communicate more effectively with county staff, access critical services without unnecessary barriers, and fully participate in their communities.”
Each county has tailored its grant funding to meet specific local needs across health care, social services, and public engagement:
- Burlington County is focusing on mobile outreach and emergency services. Plans include upgrading the County Health Department’s mobile vehicles with caption-enabled technology and portable hearing assistance devices, as well as enhancing communication access at emergency shelters.
- Mercer County is prioritizing public interaction and meeting spaces. They plan to purchase fully mobile VRI equipment units for use across county facilities and expand hearing induction loop technology in key areas, including the County Human Resources Office.
- Monmouth County is investing in both infrastructure and policy. They will deploy 10 mobile VRI units, expand hearing induction loop systems at public facilities, and strengthen accessibility requirements within community provider contracts for health and aging services.
Elizabeth Hill, director of the Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, emphasized that these investments are about more than just technology—they are about dignity. “By investing in accessible communication, we’re helping ensure that every resident can fully participate in their community and access the services they need with dignity and confidence,” Hill said.
These initiatives are part of a broader state effort to ensure that essential county functions—such as homelessness outreach, behavioral health services, and public meetings—are fully accessible to all citizens, regardless of their hearing ability.
