Availability of Mental Health Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Deaf-Blind |
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| Authors: | Michele C McDonnall B J LeJeune Anne Carter Steverson |
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| Institution: | 1. The National Research &2. Training Center on Blindness &3. Low Vision, Mississippi State University, MS, USA |
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| Abstract: | A survey of state mental health agencies found that a majority have no specific policy or procedure regarding how to provide mental health services to persons who are deaf or who are deaf-blind. Agency representatives report that staff lack knowledge of how to provide mental health services to persons who are deaf-blind and the agencies lack qualified interpreters. They recommend training for social workers and counselors to address best practices in working with people who are deaf-blind concerning communication methods and strategies, physical interaction, cultural issues, everyday life, sensory deprivation, ethics, use of an interpreter, and other general issues. |
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| Keywords: | Access accommodations blind deaf deaf-blind dual sensory loss mental health service providers |
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