Objectives: One of the most underrepresented public health populations is the U.S. Deaf community-a minority group of 500,000+ individuals who communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). Research on Deaf health outcomes is significantly lacking due to inaccessible research procedures and mistrust of researchers that stems from historical mistreatment of Deaf people (i.e., Audism). Methods: Following the Truth and Reconciliation Model, we hosted three Deaf community forums between October and November 2016 across New England. We invited attendees to share their experiences in the research world and make recommendations about how researchers can better include Deaf people in their studies. A select group of hearing researchers served as representatives of the research community and to issue a formal apology on behalf of this community. Results: Forum attendees (n = 22; 5% racial/ethnic minority; 59% female) emphasized the following themes: Research conducted within general population samples is not an activity in which Deaf people can or will be included; a general mistrust of hearing people, including hearing researchers; researchers' frequent failure to communicate study results back to the Deaf community or the community-at-large; and a tendency of researchers to directly benefit from data provided by Deaf participants, without making any subsequent efforts to return to the community to give back or provide useful intervention. Conclusions: Many injustices and forms of mistreatment are still ongoing; therefore, we recognize that our team's efforts to foster an open dialogue between the research community and the Deaf community must be an ongoing, iterative practice. Public Significance StatementDeaf sign language users are often hesitant to participate in public health studies due to mistrust of researchers. The Truth and Reconciliation Model has been used to improve relationships between researchers and members of sociolinguistic minority groups. We used this model as part of our initial research activities to begin to develop trust between our research team and the local Deaf community.
Psychological assessment plays a large part in the practice of psychology. Over the years, steps have been taken towards ensuring ethical and culturally sensitive psychological assessment for underserved populations, but little is known about the current state of the field of assessment of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) individuals. An exploratory survey of school and clinical psychologists who work with DHH clients (n = 30) was conducted to obtain a snapshot of the state of the field. The current article focuses on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical training, clinical experiences, and language abilities of clinical psychologists who work with DHH clients. Participants averaged 15 years of assessment experience and almost all participants had some type of specialized training in assessing DHH clients. More than half of participants reported their ability to use multiple languages and communication approaches as either excellent or good. Current findings were compared with a similar survey from nearly 50 years ago (Levine, E. S. (1974). Psychological tests and practices with the deaf: A survey of the state of the art. Volta Review, 76, 298–319), and significant differences were found in participants’ self-reported experience with DHH clients, training, and methods of communication.
The U.S. Deaf community-more than half a million Americans who communicate using American Sign Language (ASL)-experiences higher rates of trauma exposure and substance use disorder (SUD) than the general population. Yet there are no
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