The Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing was established in 1977 to improve the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing residents. It serves as a statewide information referral center for issues related to people with hearing loss, oversees the Arizona Relay Service, the Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program and licenses American Sign Language Interpreters. The agency serves citizens who are deaf- blind and who have speech difficulties as well. The agency name was changed in 1985 to the Arizona Council for the Hearing Impaired, and in 2000 was again changed to its present name. The Commission aspires to be a national leader in communication access, support services and community empowerment throughout the state.