NCJ Number
169751
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 27 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 733-754
Date Published
1997
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This paper presents preliminary findings from a 2-year attempt to measure the extent of substance abuse within the deaf populations in New York and New Jersey.
Abstract
The paper also describes a new technology, the Interactive Video-Questionnaire (IVQ), developed to interview deaf persons. This new technique uses questionnaires in multi-media format that are manually signed on a computer screen in American Sign Language and Signed English, as well as mouthed in Speechreading. All the data are simultaneously captioned in English text with Touchscreen input and automatic data capture. A substantial number of persons who responded to this survey indicated that they had sought treatment for drug use and relayed their treatment experiences, including being denied treatment because they were deaf. The IVQ methodology and the research design were both useful in obtaining information on substance abuse among deaf persons. This information will enable deaf people to participate in nationwide surveys about health. In addition, the data will be useful in planning intervention strategies and designing health services and programs geared to deaf people and their special needs. Tables, notes, references