Nebraska bill would provide $1 million for school interpreter training

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – During the legislative session on Tuesday, Sen. Anna Wishart expressed the importance of equal access to education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

There are currently 300 deaf and hard-of-hearing students who need the assistance of an interpreter while at school.

Of the 100 available interpreters, only 60 are considered “fully qualified” to interpret in Nebraska.

The proposed bill would allocate a one-time payment of $1 million from the American Recovery Plan Act to the Board of Education.

The payment would cover necessary training for interpreters to become “fully qualified,” expanding access to deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

“Despite the best intentions of Nebraska Department of Education, local school districts, teachers and interpreters, many deaf students have struggled to have the same access to education as their peers, and ultimately, college and future employment is at stake,” Wishart said.

The Appropriations Committee voted 6 to 0 to advance the bill.