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-11173934 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special therapy toolkit for Deaf individuals to help them with mental health issues like alcohol use and trauma, using resources in American Sign Language and visual aids to make therapy more accessible and effective.
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) | $70,747 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AA031010-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11173934 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 are not Deaf or do not communicate using American Sign Language 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 among Deaf individuals by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment materials. The toolkit includes visual aids and ASL resources to enhance understanding and engagement in therapy sessions. By leveraging community input and pilot testing, the research seeks to create effective interventions tailored to the needs of Deaf clients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide Deaf individuals with effective, accessible mental health treatment options for 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
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.