MASSRID RECOGNIZES THE MINORITY STATUS OF DEAF PEOPLE AND THE LONG HISTORY OF LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL OPPRESSION THEY HAVE ENDURED. WE THEREFORE PUBLICLY PROCLAIM OUR RESPECT AND SUPPORT FOR DEAF PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO SELF DETERMINATION AND TRUE COMMUNICATION ACCESS. IT IS THE MISSION OF MASSRID TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE DEAF COMMUNITY IN MEETING THE INTERPRETING NEEDS OF MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS BY ENHANCING THE QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS.