However, more and more mental health professionals are becoming
specialized in counseling for the deaf, using American Sign Language
(ASL) and other assistive technology to communicate during counseling
sessions.
ASL is a manual language, which means that the information is expressed
not with combinations of sounds as in speaking, but with combinations
of hand shapes, movements of the hands, arms and body, and facial
expressions. It is used natively and predominantly by the deaf and
hearing-impaired of the United States and Canada.
American Sign Language has become increasingly popular in the
mainstream, with many schools offering classes or clubs to those who
wish to learn. A number of colleges have also made the decision
to accept ASL courses as fulfillment for foreign language credits.
Though many professionals have picked up the challenge of providing
therapy for deaf and hearing impaired individuals by learning to
communicate through sign language, this special population is still
quite underserved.
Those who do not wish to use ASL to communicate can be assisted by a
number of other technological devices such as amplified speech
telephone products, personal speech amplifiers, and TDDs
(telecommunication devices for the deaf) that use regular telephone
lines.
The TDD consists of a keyboard with about 20-30 characters, a display
screen, and a modem. The letters typed by the user are converted
into electrical signals that travel over telephone lines and are
converted back to letters when received on the other end. The use
of the TDD, much like the use of ASL, has done much to further
communication with the hearing-impaired population, allowing them to
reach out for services that will improve their quality of life.
By: Posted: Oct 19 2006 06:02:04 AM