Breaking the Silence —
Building Accessible Pathways to Recovery
Recovery Advocates for Adult Deaf (RAAD) eliminates barriers to addiction recovery for Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults by building culturally competent, language-accessible treatment pathways.
What RAAD Does
RAAD (Recovery Access for Deaf Adults) works to expand access to addiction treatment and recovery support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
Many treatment programs are not equipped to communicate effectively in American Sign Language (ASL), creating barriers to care, engagement, and long-term recovery. RAAD addresses these gaps by supporting access today and building systems that improve accessibility across the recovery landscape.
The Problem We're Solving
Many Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals face significant barriers when seeking addiction treatment, including:
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Limited availability of ASL-fluent providers
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Inconsistent access to qualified interpreters
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Treatment programs not designed for Deaf communication needs
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Miscommunication that affects care quality and outcomes
These barriers contribute to lower access, reduced engagement, and poorer recovery outcomes. RAAD works to close these gaps by improving both immediate access and long-term system capacity.
The Access Gap in Addiction Recovery
Substance use disorder (SUD) affects millions of Americans. But for Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults, access to treatment is deeply limited.
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11 million Americans identify as deaf or having serious difficulty hearing.
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Fewer than 1% of addiction treatment programs are equipped to meet Deaf clients' communication needs.
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70% of Deaf adults seeking treatment report being turned away or misunderstood due to lack of ASL-fluent staff.
“Language access is not optional. It is foundational to care.”
What We Offer Today vs What We're Building
Available Support Today
RAAD provides guidance and support for individuals and families navigating recovery options, including:
- Helping identify treatment programs that may be accessible
- Providing information about communication rights and options
- Supporting individuals facing barriers to entering or staying in treatment
Programs in Development
RAAD is actively building long-term solutions to improve recovery access, including:
- Expanding ASL-fluent addiction counseling workforce
- Training treatment providers in recovery-specific ASL
- Increasing access to qualified interpreters in treatment settings
- Developing funding pathways to reduce financial barriers
- Planning a Deaf-centered Recovery & Wellness Center
Our Work in Action
RAAD focuses on five key areas to expand recovery access:
Workforce Development
Increasing the number of ASL-capable addiction counselors
ASL for Treatment Providers
Training staff in recovery-specific ASL communication
Interpreter Expansion
Supporting access to qualified interpreters in treatment settings
Access Funding
Reducing financial barriers to care
Recovery Center Vision
Building a dedicated Deaf-centered recovery environment
Who We Serve
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Individuals
People seeking addiction treatment or recovery support who need accessible communication and culturally appropriate care.
Treatment Providers
Organizations looking to improve accessibility, train staff, and better serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients.
Community & Funding Partners
Organizations, funders, and advocates working to expand access and equity in recovery services.
How to Get Help
Reaching out is simple. We meet you where you are.
Submit a Support Request
Tell us about your situation and your preferred way to communicate.
We Review Your Needs
We assess what support or guidance may be available based on your needs.
We Respond in Your Preferred Format
We respond using your preferred communication method, including ASL video when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about RAAD and our services.