Deaf and hard-of-hearing clients: some legal implications.

At least one of every 16 Americans has some degree of hearing loss and may use a variety of communication modes, including spoken English and American Sign Language. With the passage of various federal laws, most notably the Americans with Disabilities Act, social services agencies will need to become more aware of the needs of their deaf and hard-of-hearing clients. This article reviews federal legislation and statutes and their impact on service and legal programs. Legislative mandates for the use of assistive devices and interpreters in various settings are discussed. As service providers and advocates, social workers need to ensure that their own services adequately meet legal and ethical obligations and that the profession advocates for other agencies to do the same.