Culturally responsive social work practice with D/deaf clients

ABSTRACT

D/deaf individuals are often marginalized in our society. A lack of cultural understanding among social workers serving this population, coupled with communication barriers, inconsistent access to interpreters, or misperceptions of culture, adds to the potential for further marginalization. D/deaf individuals seeking mental health and social services live in a unique cultural context with which social workers may not be familiar and experience persistent issues surrounding access to mental health and social services. This article reviews some useful best practices, cultural points to be aware of, and suggests some strategies for providing culturally responsive social work when working D/deaf clients.

KEYWORDS:

• Deaf
• social work
• cultural competence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Reshawna L. Chapple

Reshawna L. Chapple, PhD, LCSW, is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida. Her mixed methods research currently focuses on identity, equity and access for Black women, deaf women and other marginalized groups, using an intersectional lens.