This qualitative study invited Deaf adults with mental health difficulties to reflect on mental health, Deafness and the barriers to obtaining and retaining employment. The term Deaf with a capital ‘D’ denotes Deaf people as a cultural and linguistic minority group, who use sign language as their first language (British Deaf Association 2000). Eight people took part in three focus groups and one interview. The findings were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Six themes arose from the analysis: stigma, the benefits of employment, the support required, the differences and similarities between Deaf and hearing populations, communication and the challenges of mental health compared with those of Deafness. The strongest message was that Deaf people with mental health difficulties require somebody who speaks their language when obtaining employment. A list of recommendations is provided, which has relevance to occupational therapists.
AnthonyW (1994) Characteristics of people with psychiatric disabilities that are predictive of entry into the rehabilitation process and successful employment. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 17, 91–110.
2.
BalchGIMertensDM (1999) Focus group design and group dynamics: Lessons from Deaf and hard of hearing participants. American Journal of Evaluation, 20(2), 265–77.
3.
BanksBCharlestonSGrossiTMankD (2001) Workplace supports, job performance, and integration outcomes for people with psychiatric disabilities. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 24(4), 389–96.
4.
BassettJLloydCBassettH (2001) Work issues for young people with psychosis: Barriers to employment. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64(2), 66–72.
5.
BertramMLinnettP (1995) Empowerment through employment? An innovative work scheme for people with mental health problems. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(1), 7–9.
6.
BoardmanJGroveBPerkinsRShepherdG (2003) Work and employment for people with psychiatric disabilities. British Journal of Psychiatry, 182, 467–68.
CooperAERoseJMasonO (2003) Mental health professionals' attitudes towards people who are Deaf. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 13, 314–19.
9.
CorbettPHoweH (2007) Bridge building in mental health. Occupational Therapy News, 15(1), 24–25.
10.
CreeganS (1995) An investigation of vocational programmes and services in North America. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 58(1), 9–13.
11.
Department of Health (1999) National Service Framework for Mental Health: Modern standards and service models. London: DH.
De GraafRBijlR (2002) Determinants of mental distress in adults with a severe auditory impairment: Differences between prelingual and postlingual deafness. Psychosomatic Medicine, 64, 61–70.
14.
DowlerDLWallsRT (1996) Accommodating specific job functions for people with hearing impairments. Journal of Rehabilitation, 62(3), 35–45.
15.
DurhamT (1997) Work-related activity for people with long-term schizophrenia: A review of the literature. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 60(6), 248–52.
16.
GelderMMayouRCowenP (2001) Shorter Oxford textbook of psychiatry. New York: Oxford University Press.
17.
GrbichC (1999) Qualitative research in health: An introduction. London: Sage.
18.
HansenEM (1999) Supported employment for people who are deaf: An overview of the unique needs and challenges. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 13, 143–52.
19.
HarrisJBamfordC (2001) The Uphill Struggle: Services for Deaf and hard of hearing people – issues of equality, participation and access. Disability and Society, 16(7), 969–79.
20.
HenryADLuccaAM (2002) Contextual factors and participation in employment for people with serious mental illness. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 22, 835–45.
21.
HenryADNicholsonJClayfieldJPhillipsSStierL (2002) Creating job opportunities for people with psychiatric disabilities at a university-based research centre. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(2), 181–90.
22.
IngeKJStrobelWWehmanPToddJTargettP (2000) Vocational outcomes for persons with severe physical disabilities: Design and implementation of workplace supports. NeuroRehabilitation, 15, 175–87.
23.
JakobsenK (2001) Employment and the reconstruction of self: A model of space for maintenance of identity by occupation. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 8, 40–48.
24.
JonssonHAndersonL (1999) Attitudes to work and retirement: Generalization or diversity?Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 6, 29–35.
25.
Kennedy-JonesMCooperJFosseyE (2005) Stories of four people with mental illness. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 52(5), 116–26.
26.
KleeEHayesLChildressGW (1994) A Kentucky response to the ADA. Training and Development, 48(4), 48–49.
27.
LloydCWaghornG (2007) The importance of vocation in recovery for young people with psychiatric disabilities. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(2), 50–59.
28.
MacDonald-WilsonKLRogersESMassaroJ (2003) Identifying relationships between functional limitations, job accommodations, and demographic characteristics of persons with psychiatric disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 18, 15–24.
29.
National Institute for Mental Health (1999) Mental health and deafness: Towards equity and access. Best practice guidance. An implementation guide for Sign of the Times. London: Department of Health.
30.
ScherichDL (1996) Job accommodations in the workplace for persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing: Current practices and recommendations. Journal of Rehabilitation, 62(2), 27–35.
31.
SmithJAJarmanMOsbornM (1999) Doing interpretative phenomenological analysis. In: MurrayMChamberlaineK eds. Qualitative health psychology: Theories and methods. London: Routledge, 218–40.
32.
Social Exclusion Unit (2004) Mental health and social exclusion. Social Exclusion Unit Report. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
33.
ThurgoodJFrankAO (2007) Work is beneficial for health and wellbeing: Can occupational therapists now return to their roots?British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(2), 49.
