PROVIDING PSYCHOLOGICAL-SERVICES TO DEAF INDIVIDUALS - A RESPONSE TO NEW PERCEPTIONS OF DIVERSITY

The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 mandates that psychologist s provide equal access to services For persons with disabilities. Disa bled individuals, including deaf and hard of hearing persons, form an important part of the diversity spectrum. Deafness and hearing loss si gnificantly affect life experiences, development, and the ability to o btain and use services. psychologists must develop awareness of the im plications thereof in order to provide appropriate services in an ethi cal manner to such clients. This article presents core knowledge about deafness and hearing loss in an effort to enhance this necessary awar eness for practitioners not specializing in this area.