Availability of Mental Health Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Deaf-Blind. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McDonnall, Michele C.; Crudden, Adele; LeJeune, B. J.; Steverson, Anne Carter
• Is Part Of: Journal of social work in disability & rehabilitation. Volume 16:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Access -- accommodations -- blind -- deaf -- deaf-blind -- dual sensory loss -- mental health -- service providers; Social work with people with disabilities -- Periodicals; Sociology of disability -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; People with disabilities -- Legal status, laws, etc -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.405
• DOI: 10.1080/1536710X.2017.1260515
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-710X

Abstract

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.