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Fundamentals of Working Competently with the Deaf Population - A Cultural Competence Workshop

Sunday, August 23rd, 2026   1:45 PM EDT -4:45 PM EDT
Robert Q Pollard, Jr
$59.99 USD

The sign language-using Deaf population is a linguistic and cultural minority group generally unfamiliar to many service providers. The hearing, sign-fluent presenter has worked exclusively in this field for 40 years, as a clinician, researcher, and teacher. Misconceptions regarding "lipreading," English literacy, sign language versus English, information access ("fund of information"), and the realities of interpreting work hamper effective service provision. This presentation will assist providers to work more effectively with Deaf persons. It will address an array of historic, linguistic, developmental, ethical, legal, and culturally-relevant matters. Significant content will relate directly to mental status exam topics and differential diagnosis of language anomalies that are often unique to this population. Keys to working effectively with sign language interpreters will be offered. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion.

About the Presenter

Dr. Pollard is an ASL-fluent clinical psychologist who has worked exclusively with deaf people for 40 years. Known worldwide, he has authored or co-authored over 100 publications, delivered over 300 invited presentations, and been principle investigator on 57 research, educational, and special project grants. His expertise spans clinical psychology, sign language interpreting, and public health, as related to the deaf population.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe key differences between ASL and English
  2. List 3 key events mentioned in relation to Deaf history (legal or culural)
  3. Explain why "lipreading" and literacy are challenging for many deaf people
  4. Define "fund of information" and explain its relevance to working with deaf people
  5. Explain "language deprivation" and why it presents a key differential diagnosis problem
  6. List 3 "realities of interpreting work" presented during this workshop
  7. List 3 tips for working successfully with sign langauge interpreters
  8. Define what a "Certified Deaf Interpreter" is and how their work differs from a traditional sign language interpreter
  9. List 4 areas of the mental status examination that may well differ regarding deaf versus hearing persons
  10. Mention 2 aspects of Deaf culture that may lead to misunderstandings or conflict with hearing people
  11. Describe how the ADA and "scope of practice" expectations are relevant to practice with deaf consumers

Agenda:

Part 1: (50 minutes)

-Greeting and introduction

-“Normal Differentness”

-The essential linguistic fundamentals

-The essential historic fundamentals

-The essential cross-cultural fundamentals

Part 2: (45 minutes)

-Developmental opportunities and their psychological impact

-Language deprivation, dysfluency, and differential diagnosis

Part 3: (25 minutes)

-Working effectively with interpreters

Part 4 :(25 minutes)

-Considering Deaf consumers through the lens of the mental status examination

Part 5:(15 minutes)

-Ethical and legal responsibilities pertaining to working with Deaf consumers

Part 6:(20 minutes)

-Resources, Questions, and Discussion

This workshop offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: introductory
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0275.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.