Deaf Workers Prioritized Workplace Expectations: A Qualitative Study

Employment can still be problematic for many deaf workers, especially those who are prelingually deaf. This article reports qualitative research regarding workplace behavior expectations of deaf workers and their hearing employers. This piece focuses on the signed responses of the participants (N =24) ranking job competencies. The results indicate a lack of correspondence between the respondents and their employers. This article supports the idea of rehabilitation counselors, employers and deaf employees utilizing Correspondence Theory as a framework for ensuring successful job placements for prelingually deaf adults

Development of Social Learning Program for Students in Undergraduate Deaf Rehabilitation Program

Service-learning models have long since provided students the opportunities to connect with the community they will serve upon graduation. Valley-ICAN (Independent, Confident, Activities, Network) was developed to supplement a capstone practicum requirement for an undergraduate rehabilitation program with a concentration in services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and to help reinforce the curriculum, by connecting the students to the deaf community and the service providers. This article describes the program and its benefits to the students and the community

Development of Social Learning Program for Students in Undergraduate Deaf Rehabilitation Program Undergraduate Deaf Rehabilitation Program

Service-learning models have long since provided students the opportunities to connect with the community they will serve upon graduation. Valley-ICAN (Independent, Confident, Activities, Network) was developed to supplement a capstone practicum requirement for an undergraduate rehabilitation program with a concentration in services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and to help reinforce the curriculum,by connecting the students to the deaf community and the service providers.This article describes the program and its benefits to the students and the community

Major Depressive Disorder among Individuals who are Deaf: Implications for Rehabilitation Professionals

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a potentially disabling condition which adversely affects psychosocial functioning in the lives of many people. Individuals who are prelingually and/or profoundly Deaf are especially at risk of misdiagnoses, which in turn may prevent them from receiving the treatment needed to reach their full potential in independent living or vocational rehabilitation. This article reviews general depressive symptomology, followed by a discussion of challenges associated with diagnosing MDD in individuals who are Deaf. Suggestions for therapeutic interventions are also included. The article concludes with a summary of the implications of Deafness and MDD for independent living and vocational rehabilitation

Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness: Implications for Rehabilitation Counselors

Negative societal attitudes toward people with hearing loss can be handicapping. Because of their deafness, people face a multitude of external barriers which become their handicap. The primary barriers or handicaps to this underserved population are two fold, inaccessibility to appropriate services during important milestones in their lives and a misunderstanding of Deaf culture. Rehabilitation counselors are advised to become aware of the types of interventions their Deaf consumers had as children through their education and socialization for in sight to appropriate services. Also discussed is the importance of communication and employer involvement in reducing societal stereotypes

Major Depressive Disorder among Individuals who are Deaf: Implications for Rehabilitation Professionals

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a potentially disabling condition which adversely affects psychosocial functioning in the lives of many people. Individuals who are prelingually and/or profoundly Deaf are especially at risk of misdiagnoses, which in turn may prevent them from receiving the treatment needed to reach their full potential in independent living or vocational rehabilitation. This article reviews general depressive symptomology, followed by a discussion of challenges associated with diagnosing MDD in individuals who are Deaf. Suggestions for therapeutic interventions are also included. The article concludes with a summary of the implications of Deafness and MDD for independent living and vocational rehabilitation

Determinants of Self-Efficacy among Individuals who are Hard-of-Hearing

Self-efficacy plays an important role in their lives of the estimated 48 million Americans who report having some degree of hearing impairment, helping them navigate through a myriad of communication challenges. The purpose of the present study was to assess the levels of self-efficacy in this disability group by examining an array of social, psychological, spiritual, disability, and demographic variables. A total of 114 persons who identified as hard-of-hearing took part in an online survey. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to answer the research question. The proposed regression model explained 24.7% of variance in self-efficacy among individuals who are hard-of-hearing. Specifically, educational attainment, internal locus of control, spirituality/religiosity, social support, and employment status are the five significant predictors of self-efficacy. Finally, implications for rehabilitation practice and research are discussed

Advancements in Treatment for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Implications for Rehabilitation Professionals

Rehabilitation professionals often work with individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. Sometimes the hearing loss is due to ototoxic medications that are prescribed as treatments for other conditions. An understanding of the types of ototoxic medications at the root of the sensorineural hearing loss combined with an understanding of the advancements in treatments will help the rehabilitation professional better serve consumers who fit this description

Conceptualizing the Use of Cognitive Interventions Among Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Who Experience Depression

Depression can affect the lives of all persons and can have especially profound implications on those with cognitive limitations; however, depression need not be an insurmountable roadblock to employment for persons with intellectual disabilities. Cognitive interventions - such as life story approach, socio-cognitive, and rational emotive behavior therapy-can be effective for litigating problems with depression among those with cognitive limitation including employment-related barriers due to depression. This article reviews how counselors can use cognitive interventions\u27 behavioral and cognitive components to assist those with intellectual disabilities with depression

Psychosocial Aspects of Deafness: Implications for Rehabilitation Counselors

Negative societal attitudes toward people with hearing loss can be handicapping. Because of their deafness, people face a multitude of external barriers which become their handicap. The primary barriers or handicaps to this underserved population are two fold, inaccessibility to appropriate services during important milestones in their lives and a misunderstanding of Deaf culture. Rehabilitation counselors are advised to become aware of the types of interventions their Deaf consumers had as children through their education and socialization for in sight to appropriate services. Also discussed is the importance of communication and employer involvement in reducing societal stereotypes