IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS OF THE AMERICANS-WITH-DISABILITIES-ACT - CASE IN POINT, THE PATIENT WHO IS DEAF

Increased implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 199 0 (ADA), which empowered persons who have disabilities, has begun in e arnest with recent federal court action. Three legal opinions have far -reaching implications for psychologists whose practices include disab led clients. These implications are especially true for those psycholo gists who art most likely to work at least occasionally with deaf, har d-of-hearing, or otherwise disabled individuals. However, ADA court de cisions also apply to psychologists in group practices and managed car e corporations. In this article, these legal opinions are reviewed. Th e authors consider the implications of the decisions on psychologist p ractitioners, with special emphasis on their legal responsibilities to deaf clients and on liability and related malpractice concerns. The a uthors also consider the profound impact of these decisions on deaf an d hard-of-hearing individuals in need of psychological services.