DMHAS Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind Programs and Services (DHOH)
American Sign Language (ASL) Public Service Announcements:
How to use Text-to-911 and other DHOH resources PSA
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) complies with Connecticut Statutes and Federal laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
DMHAS state-operated facilities and programs provide auxiliary aids and services on request to clients, patients, visitors and guests with disabilities in order for the person to have equal access at no cost to the full continuum of mental health and substance use disorder treatment services offered by DMHAS. DMHAS is not required by the ADA to provide personal medical equipment such as hearing aids and glasses.
Persons with disabilities regardless of whether they are clients, visitors or guests of DMHAS or DMHAS funded providers can contact the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) for help. DADS, Central Office, 55 Farmington Ave 12 floor, Hartford, CT 06105 Phone: 860-424-5055 TTY: 860-247-0775.
Other resources are at the bottom of this webpage.
DMHAS state-operated facilities, services, programs, and activities:
DMHAS facilities provide DHOH services on request, including American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, Certified Deaf Interpreting, Home Sign, Tactile Interpreting, Signed English, Foreign Sign Language, other forms of visual gestural communication as well as Assistive Listening Devices, Communication Access Real Time (CART) and Video Relay Interpreting.
DMHAS facilities include:
- Capitol Region Mental Health Center (CRMHC), Hartford
- Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC), New Haven (in conjunction with Yale)
- Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), Middletown (and Blue Hills Hospital, Hartford)
- River Valley Services (RVS), Middletown
- Southeastern Mental Health Authority (SMHA), Norwich
- Southwest Connecticut Mental Health System (SWCMHS), Bridgeport and Stamford
- Western CT Mental Health Network (WCMHN), Danbury, Waterbury and Torrington
- Whiting Forensic Hospital (WFH), Middletown
Each DMHAS state-operated facility designates a DHOH contact person(s) who assists persons with disabilities obtain DHOH services:
DHOH Contacts at DMHAS State Operated Facilities
DMHAS Office of the Commissioner (DMHAS OOC)
The DMHAS OOC Community Services Division approves DHOH service requests from DMHAS OOC Divisions using the: DMHAS OOC Interpreter Request Form
Forms are submitted to: William Pierce, Community Services Division, DMHAS Office of the Commissioner by email (William.Pierce@ct.gov) or fax: 860-418-6690
Voice: 860-418-6933 | TTY Relay: 7-1-1
DMHAS Funded Providers
DMHAS funded providers of mental health and substance use disorder treatment services are places of public accommodation covered by ADA Title III and which:
- Are prohibited from discriminating against persons with disabilities and or denying persons with disabilities the opportunity to participate in and benefit from goods, services, privileges, advantages, or accommodations and
- Are required to remove barriers to persons with disabilities when readily achievable once they consult with the person to determine what aid or service is appropriate given the nature of what is being communicated and the person’s method of communicating.
DMHAS funded providers are responsible for complying with the ADA. DMHAS contracts with funded providers are overseen by DMHAS state-operated Local Mental Health Authorities or divisions within the DMHAS Office of the Commissioner.
Links to Disability and DHOH Resources
Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) advocates for Connecticut residents with disabilities and persons who are 55 or older (older adults).
- DADS Aging and Disability Resource Center, "Community Choices," links older adults, persons living with disabilities, and caregivers in Connecticut to services and supports: 1-800-994-9422.
- DHOH Counseling (ct.gov)
- DHOH Interpreter Registry
- DHOH Resource Guide
- DHOH Interpreter Registry
People needing interpreting services can call 2-1-2 Infoline (TTY 800-671-0737) or visit the 211 website ( www.211ct.org ) and search for “Sign Language Interpretation.”
- ADA.gov (Department of Justice Civil Rights Division ADA Website)
- ADA Coalition of Connecticut
- American School for the Deaf (ASD) Outreach Services
- Centers for Independent Living Network of regional Centers for Independent Living which help people with disabilities live independently.
- Connecticut Association for the Deaf
- Connecticut Legal Rights Project, non-profit agency providing legal services to low income individuals with mental health conditions who reside in hospitals or the community on matters related to treatment, recovery and civil rights.
- Disability Rights Connecticut, Connecticut’s Protection and Advocacy System for persons with disabilities.
- Hearing Loss Association of America
- New England ADA Center
- New England Assistive Technology (NEAT) Marketplace
- Relay Connecticut
DMHAS Resources:
- DMHAS and Americans with Disabilities Act Title II
- DMHAS Divisions and Offices
- Glossary of DMHAS DHOH Terms
- DMHAS Client Grievance Procedure
- Clients Rights Officers (DMHAS & PNP)
DMHAS DHOH Programs and Services Revised 8/20/23