Governor signs bill of rights for deaf children

From: KOB-TV - Albuquerque,NM,USA - Mar 10, 2004

By: Associated Press

(Santa Fe-AP) -- New Mexico has enacted an educational bill of rights for deaf and hard-of-hearing youngsters.

Governor Richardson signed the measure Tuesday at a ceremony at the New Mexico School for the Deaf.

It's intended to raise public awareness about the unique communication needs of deaf children and to provide a template for state agencies to follow when they deal with them.

The governor says that many people are ignorant about the needs of these children. He says children born deaf face incredible hurdles as they learn language skills.

The new law gives such children the right to have trained teachers and service providers and the right to have peers and adults they can communicate with easily.

At least 10 other states have adopted similar laws or policies.

(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)