2024 is a Bonding year for the State of Minnesota. This is when organizations, companies or venues can apply for State funding help with capital projects. These are often referred to as infrastructure projects, such as the construction of new buildings or the renovation, replacement and/or refurbishment of existing buildings.

Since 2017, capital projects that involve public gathering spaces where audible communication is an essential part of such spaces, access accommodation for Hard-of-Hearing patrons must be provided.

Therefore, State grant applicants have to be aware of the 2017 mandate 16C.054 ACCOMMODATION FOR HARD-OF-HEARING IN STATE-FUNDED CAPITAL PROJECTS. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/16C.054

This means that everyone involved with the project – from grant applicants to architects, designers, and contractors etc. – must be familiar with the cited acoustics and hearing loop assistive technologies and their compliance criteria. Please review the exact details of this communication access and accommodation mandate.

If acoustics standards and criteria can’t be met or if the installation of hearing (audio) loops is not possible, an Exemption must be sought on either one or both of these requirements. Be familiar with the Exemption application process.

The Minnesota Commission for the Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH) will review the petition. To avoid delays, be clear about the exact reasons why an exemption should be granted. Propose alternative ways of how the public space will accommodate the hard-of-hearing public in a manner that is at least ADA compatible. Design plans & details as well as site pictures help.

In the end,

Writing a State of Minnesota grant application for funding help with capital building and renovation projects. If audible communication is involved in such spaces, be aware of the above 2017 mandate. Public money draws access accommodation for the hard-of-hearing public.