Training
ACDHH Specialists introduces staff in the domestic violence field to the unique culture and communication approaches of the Deaf, the Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind citizens. Participants will demonstrate a foundational understanding of the unique needs of people with hearing loss; increased knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 laws which require provision of accommodations to ensure effective communication with individuals who have hearing loss, an enhanced awareness of the use of auxiliary aids, cultural factors, communication strategies, sign language interpreter licensure laws, and the use of assistive devices. This interactive course combines scenarios, videos, and hands-on activities which will enhance participants’ ability to engage with people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind in different settings such as hotline, shelter, court and many more.
Effective Communication is essential to provide safe, quality mental health care, and impacts assessment, treatment, and diagnosis. Ineffective Communication causes misdiagnosis, medication errors, and inappropriate treatment. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by places of public accommodation. Title III of the ADA applies to all private and public healthcare providers regardless of the size of the office or the number of employees. Training will offer insight to how mental health care providers have a duty to provide effective communication – using auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with people who have a hearing loss.
Effective advocacy for interpreting services has been a long-time concern of Deaf Community leaders. DSAT is a curriculum designed to be taught by Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind trainers to other Deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind consumers. This specialized curriculum is devoted to teaching deaf individuals to self-advocate for effective interpreting services. The content of the curriculum includes concepts of self-esteem and self-determination, the law, ethics of working with interpreters, video relay interpreting, preparing for self-advocacy, and how to effectively tap resources.
ACDHH Specialists with first-hand experience will cover topics such as:
- Laws relevant to communication access for individuals with a hearing loss
- Common challenges, impacts, and characteristics of hearing loss
- Linguistic and cultural diversity among Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing populations
- Strategies for effective communication
- How and when to request access services such as a sign language interpreter, real-time captioning services (CART) and/or other devices, and how to use them effectively
- Information on additional ACDHH services, such as sign language interpreters and CART, that assist organizations with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance
ACDHH Specialists offer their subject matter expertise in observation and evaluation on emergency response staff's ability to evacuate and provide services for people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. Specialists may be called upon to participate as an actor with a hearing loss as an evacuee in order for a learning experience for the emergency response staff.