The needs of deaf substance abusers in Illinois

A summary is presented of available information regarding the special characteristics and needs of hearing-impaired alcoholics and drug addicts. The various obstacles to this population receiving treatment are seen to be made even more formidable by apparent minimal adherence in the chemical dependency field to the legal mandate that agencies and institutions that receive federal funding must provide services that are accessible to disabled persons. The Illinois Task Force on Substance Abuse Among the Hearing Impaired was established to examine the needs of this population in Illinois. The results of a needs assessment conducted by the Task Force are summarized. The conclusion is reached that the minimal accessibility of hearing-impaired individuals to substance abuse treatment reported in the literature extends to Illinois as well. The concerns of agencies in attempting to meet the needs of this population are cited. Specific recommendations are made to changes in programming intended to improve the level of substance abuse services accessible to hearing-impaired individuals.