Using a TTY to contact clinical graduate programs.

Abstract

This study investigated accessibility of 177 APA-accredited clinical and counseling programs to deaf applicants via TTY phone lines, what happened when we called these numbers, and where these phone lines connected. We were able to obtain TTY phone numbers for 135 schools, of which we could successfully reach 86 schools using a TTY alone. Most of these lines (60%) were connected to campus disabled student services, and none connected directly to the APA-accredited programs or the departments in which they were housed. Comments from university personnel underscore the difficulties facing deaf applicants. We argue that the difficulties deaf applicants encounter when trying to contact programs constitute significant barriers to the application process. We give six specific recommendations for expanding access to programs.