Deaf Services

About My Ombudsman’s Deaf Service Department

My Ombudsman is the only health care ombudsman program with a department exclusively focused on the needs of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, LateDeafened, and DeafBlind community members, as well as individuals with hearing loss. The department is led by Lily Weir, who is Deaf and a native user of American Sign Language (ASL).

The goal of the Deaf Services Department is to help MassHealth health plan members from these communities access their plan benefits by providing culturally and linguistically competent support. We help with questions or concerns about plan benefits, and we provide information about member rights. We do all this in ASL, with a strong understanding of the various needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Deaf/HOH) community.

In addition, we develop materials and outreach events geared towards Deaf/HOH community members, their family members, and their caregivers. We also offer providers who may work with Deaf/HOH consumers with free trainings on communication access and assistive technology needs.

About Lily Weir

Lily Weir has served as an ombudsman for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community at My Ombudsman since August 2023. As the sole Deaf healthcare ombudsman in the country, Lily brings a unique perspective to her role. Born Deaf, she faced language deprivation until the age of 13 when she discovered ASL, a language that profoundly transformed her life. Lily earned her B.A. in Deaf Studies from Gallaudet University in 2021 and went on to obtain her Master’s degree in Language and Literacy with a specialization in Deaf Studies & ASL from Boston University. 


Driven by her passion for supporting the Deaf community and combating language deprivation, Lily has dedicated her career to this cause. Prior to joining My Ombudsman, she gained valuable experience working at institutions such as The Learning Center for the Deaf and Horace Mann School for the Deaf, as well as serving in roles within the New England Deaf Homes. Through these experiences, Lily has developed an intimate understanding of the challenges faced by Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Deafblind individuals in accessing healthcare and navigating daily life. She is well-versed in the resources available to address these challenges and is committed to providing assistance wherever needed. 


Outside of her professional endeavors, Lily finds joy in connecting with fellow members of the Deaf community at events and exploring nature through hiking adventures. She has a fondness for sushi and enjoys spending time with her cat, Bluebell. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Deaf Services Department at My Ombudsman, or if you are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, LateDeafended, DeafBlind and need help with your MassHealth health plan, you may contact Lily directly at LWeir@myombudsman.org or 339-224-6831 (videophone).

My Ombudsman and the Deaf Services Department can help MassHealth members who need help accessing care and services.

If you have MassHealth eligibility-related questions, please contact:

Resources

Please visit our Resources page for general information and specific resources geared towards the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.

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