The Health Equity Listening Sessions will be a full-day, community-centered engagement event designed to bring together Deaf, DeafBlind, Late-Deafened, Hard of Hearing, and other individuals with communication access needs to share their lived experiences directly with representatives from the New York State Department of Health, state and local government agencies, healthcare organizations, managed care plans, and community partners. The purpose of the event is to identify barriers to equitable healthcare access, gather community-driven recommendations, and strengthen collaboration between policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the communities they serve. Rather than a traditional conference, the event is designed as an interactive listening and co-design experience where government agencies listen first and community members lead the conversation

Mission: United Hands Organization (UHO) is an ASL-led nonprofit building accessible systems through universal design, communication access, workforce development, and integrated care. We partner with healthcare providers, government agencies, employers, and community organizations to eliminate communication barriers and improve equitable access to health, social, employment, and community services for Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Limited English Proficient (LEP), and other underserved communities. By combining lived experience, innovation, technology, and trusted community partnerships, we transform fragmented services into inclusive, person-centered solutions that improve outcomes for everyone.