Deaf association files suit against state

Monday, April 26, 2010 | 3:46 p.m. CDT
BY The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Association for the Deaf and 13 deaf individuals are suing the state of Missouri, claiming it fails to provide adequate mental health services for about 1,100 deaf Missourians who require mental health treatment.

The lawsuit was announced Monday in St. Louis. A message seeking comment was left with the Department of Mental Health.

Among other things, the suit says the state does not provide enough sign language interpreters for deaf people who need mental health services. The suit says the result is that many deaf people are misdiagnosed or fail to get proper treatment.

 

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Comments

Thomas Green April 26, 2010 | 3:59 p.m.

As a deaf individual, I applaud Missouri Association of the Deaf, Inc for their efforts. Having access to mental health services is given to hearing people with almost no barriers but for deaf people, the access is always blocked because most providers don't want to be responsible for providing interpreters or there isn't a provider that knows how to sign to work with deaf individuals who need mental health services.

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