1887 Michigan Association of the Deaf (MAD) was founded.
1921 MAD began first effort to establish the Division of Deaf and Deafened (DDD).
1937 The legislature passed P.A. 72 that established the DDD in the Dept. of Labor and Industry to assist deaf persons with employment.
1938 First deaf person was hired as the first director.
1958 DDD was transferred to Michigan Employment Security Commission.
1975 DDD ceased activity after the director resigned.
1979 DDD was revitalized by Governor William Milliken and transferred to Michigan Dept. of Labor, bureau of Commission on Handicapper Concerns.
1980 DDD reopened its doors with Christopher Hunter as its director. It has new services: advocacy, information and referral, interpreter referral,and technical assistance. It has staff of 4 persons: State Interpreter Coordinator, Rights Representative and Secretary
1988 The legislature amended the law (P.A. 434), changing name to Division on Deafness and revising responsibilities "to protect and assist all hearing impaired persons, with special emphasis on deaf persons", forming 13 member Governor appointed Advisory Council.
1993 Hard of Hearing Specialist position was added to serve hard of hearing Michigan citizens.
1996 DOD and Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns were eventually transfered to the Michigan Family Independence Agency after the Department of Labor was abolished.
1997 Hard of Hearing Specialist position was eliminated throught the department downsizing affected by the early retirement program.
1998 Hard of Hearing Specialist position was restored through public contacts to the legislature and department.
Today DOD has four staff members: Director, State Interpreter Coordinator, Hard of Hearing Specialist and Secretary.
2002 Executive Order #2002-10 DOD renamed Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DODHH).
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