The following questions and answers are specific to the Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver:
Do I need to submit a new certificate to my college/university each semester?
No, the enabling statute states your certificate is good for the entirety of your program. The only time a college/university may ask for another certificate is if you change your major or focus of study.
I only have a copy of my certificate and the college/university wants an original, what do I do?
If the college/university wants an originally signed document and you no longer have one, you can request one from DHHS. However, the date of the certificate will be the date you originally were deemed eligible for the program. You will need to let DHHS know your current address when you request the duplicate.
Does the certificate cover expenses other than tuition?
The tuition waiver only covers tuition and tuition-based fees. If the amount of the fee is determined by the amount of your tuition (or how many hours/credits you are taking), then that fee should be covered by the waiver. The waiver never covers books, supplies or the cost of any needed accommodation.
Do I need to re-apply for a certificate after a certain timeframe?
No, your certificate does not expire.
Is there a limit to the educational level I can achieve using my Certificate?
There is no limit. Individuals who qualify can enroll for studies up to and including the post-graduate level, as long as enrollment is at a state-supported college or university.
Can my old audiogram be used for my Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver application?
As long as the audiogram reflects your current hearing status there is no time limit on when the test was done.
If I meet the criterion in Part II, do I need to complete Part III and/or Part IV?
No. Parts III and IV are alternate criteria to establish eligibility when the regular criterion is not met.
Other questions about this program should be directed to dhhs@dars.state.tx.us or CollegeForTexans.com
Certification of Deafness for Tuition Waiver
Provides a certificate that verifies hearing loss for applicants for tuition waiver at state supported post-secondary schools in Texas. The basic criteria for applicants is either an unaided average hearing loss of 55 decibels (dB) or greater (using 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) or an aided average hearing loss of 30 dB or greater using the same frequencies. Alternate options for eligibility are listed on the tuition waiver application for individuals who are “functionally deaf and the primary mode of communication in the classroom is through visual modes.”
You can find all these information at website – see links below.
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/dhhsfaqs.shtml#codtw – the application, general information
http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/trnganded.shtml#Certification – regular criteria for eligibility
Other questions about the CODTW – send email to dhhs@dars.state.tx.us – Thanks
Doug H. Dittfurth
Outreach Development Specialist
Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services/Division for Rehabilitation Services
PO Box 12904 – Austin, TX 78711
4900 N Lamar Blvd, 2-172 – Austin, TX 78751
Office/Voice: 512/407-3273 Office/TTY: 512/407-3274
Office/Video Phone: 161.137.23.204 Office/ Fax: 512/407-3299

The New York Times reports on a new hearing aid — new meaning completely different. Not behind the ear, not requiring surgery, not requiring typical batteries, not requiring full ear molds.
The Lyric looks like an ideal hearing aid for those who don’t have severe or profound hearing loss. Wearers most likely have to give up swimming. However, the company’s web site says the hearing aid can be removed for MRIs and similar unique situations, but not swimming and scuba diving.
The Lyric provides an interesting and expensive alternative for qualified candidates.

Aww… Marlee Matlin was ousted on this week’s Dancing with the Stars. I hated to see her go, but the last two weeks didn’t go well for her and Fabian. After all, this is a dancing contest, not a popularity contest. I voted for her, of course.
I had hoped she recover from last week’s less than stellar performance since her partner specialized in mambo. But it wasn’t enough. According to judge Carrie Ann, the mambo focused on the relationship with the music more than any other dance.
I hope she’s proud of her work and that deaf people are proud of her for representing us.
I finished Sweet Nothing in My Ear and thought the movie portrayed the issues well. Marlee Matlin, Jeff Daniels, Phyllis Frelich, and Ed Waterstreet did a superb job in their roles.
Did you know Phyllis Frelich and Ed Waterstreet also played a couple in Love Is Never Silent?

Deaf actor Howie Seago appears in LAByrinth’s “The Little Flower of East Orange” now playing off-Broadway at The Public Theater. It’s a new play by Stephen Adly Guirgis (“Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” / “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot”), directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and tells the story of a hearing woman (played by Ellen Burstyn) visited by the ghost of her deaf father – much of it in ASL.
The production runs through May 4 with two sign-interpreted performances: Sat April 19 at 2pm, and Sat May 3 at 2pm — and after both performances, the cast will return to the stage after curtain to chat with the audience.
Watching the subtitled video.

Marlee Matlin stays busy. On top of Dancing with the Stars, she has a TV movie coming out on CBS. Sweet Nothing in My Ear debuts on Sunday, April 20 telling the story of a couple (one deaf and one hearing) struggling with the decision of getting a cochlear implant for their son. Matlin’s character is against the CI while her husband wants the CI.
Linda Bove, the long-time librarian on Sesame Street, acted as an advisor on the set. In this interview, she said she reviewed all the takes to make sure view of the signer showed clearly. The staff also paid attention to every little detail and asked her questions like if it was OK to sign with rubber gloves on while washing the dishes or to turn off the light while someone is signing.
No doubt this will lead to heated discussions in the deaf community. I don’t think it’s our business to dictate the lives of others. Education is always OK with me — forcing or pushing for one thing over the other is not.