Subject: From the NAD website

NAD Releases Position Statement on Mental Health Services for People Who
are Deaf and Hard of Hearing Posted November 14, 2003

NAD President Andrew J. Lange announced that the National Association of
the Deaf has released a new position statement on Mental Health Services
for People Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. "This is a critical issue
and the NAD is committed to improving mental health care service
delivery systems for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Board is
grateful to all those who worked hard to develop this statement,
particularly Randall R. Myers, Ph.D., LCSW-C, chair of the NAD Mental
Health Committee," stated Lange.

Highlights include:

. An expectation that services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals
be equal in quality and effectiveness to those provided to persons who
are able to hear;

. An expectation that service providers be able to communicate directly
with deaf and hard of hearing individuals and be aware of and sensitive
to the cultural and linguistic factors of such individuals;

. An expectation that service providers understand the psychosocial
impact hearing loss has on these individuals;

.The position that appropriate use of services and adaptive technology
may be needed and is best identified and utilized by the consumer and
his/her family members, including qualified and certified interpreters,
assistive listening devices and real-time captioning services and
tele-mental health care technology;

. A list of recommended state actions including the establishment of an
advisory committee, the provision of a continuum of services, and the
involvement of deaf and hard of hearing consumers and their families in
the decision making process.

"We will be sharing this position paper with mental health providers,
consumers, and advocates throughout the country. The NAD is committed to
working with mental health systems and service providers to meet the
needs of deaf and hard of hearing individuals," commented Myers. The
statement was produced by the NAD Mental Health Committee in
coordination with State Directors of Mental Health and NAD staff.

"This position paper is another step in ongoing efforts of the NAD to
promote equal opportunity for full participation in society for each and
every deaf and hard of hearing individual."

The position paper is posted on the NAD website at:
http://www.nad.org/infocenter/newsroom/positions/mentalhealth.html




______________________________
Charlene J. Crump, MHI Coordinator
Alabama Department of Mental Health
PO Box 301410, Montgomery, AL 36130
(334) 353-4703 v/tty
(334) 242-3025 fax
ccrump@... or charleneterp@...