Creating a therapy toolkit for Deaf individuals with alcohol use and trauma issues
Official title: Evaluating Signs of Safety: A Deaf-Accessible Therapy Toolkit for AUD and Trauma
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-10902003 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special therapy toolkit called Signs of Safety to help Deaf people who struggle with alcohol use and trauma, making sure it uses American Sign Language and visual materials so they can get the support they need in a way that feels comfortable and understandable.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $678,635 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031010-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902003 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Deaf individuals aged 21 and older who experience alcohol use disorder and/or trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not communicate using American Sign Language or who do not have issues related to alcohol use or trauma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and evaluate a therapy toolkit specifically designed for the Deaf community, who face unique challenges in accessing mental health care. In collaboration with the National Deaf Therapy agency, the project focuses on addressing the high rates of alcohol use disorder and trauma within this population. The toolkit, called Signs of Safety, includes visual materials and resources in American Sign Language to ensure effective communication and understanding during therapy sessions. By utilizing community engagement and feedback, the research seeks to create a culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment option for Deaf individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide Deaf individuals with tailored therapeutic resources that improve their mental health outcomes related to alcohol use and trauma.
How similar studies have gone: This research is pioneering as there are currently no evidence-based treatments specifically designed for Deaf clients with behavioral health conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anderson, Melissa Lee — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Anderson, Melissa Lee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding HIV-1 Env shapes to boost immune attack against infected cells
Aimed at helping people living with HIV, this project explores how specific HIV-1 envelope structures attract or resist immune attack so future therapies could better help the body clear hidden virus.
-
Reprogramming metabolism to power alternative fat-burning modes
A new project will explore how fat cells burn calories in different ways to help combat obesity.
-
Silencing an Extra Chromosome to Help Down Syndrome and Related Conditions
A patient-friendly plan to use a gene-based approach to quiet an extra chromosome in cells and a mouse model to reduce disease-related effects in Down syndrome and other chromosomal imbalance disorders.
-
Gut microbes and brain function in autism
Researchers are exploring how gut bacteria may influence brain signals and behavior in autism, using worm models to uncover possible links that could someday inform human therapies.
-
Chlamydia and gonorrhea interaction: how host interferons influence co-infection
A human-health focused project looks at how the body’s interferon signals during chlamydia infection affect the way gonorrhea behaves, with potential implications for people vulnerable to both infections.
-
Conquering High Blood Pressure in Vietnamese Cities
A program to adapt and test a proven plan for lowering high blood pressure in urban Vietnam using a mobile health platform and integrated care approach.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.