In 1989 The Minnesota Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing began. Since the Program opened, staff have developed specialized approaches designed to meet the communication and cultural needs of Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons in chemical dependency treatment.

Among Program accomplishments is the creation of two videotapes presented in American Sign Language with voice and captions; the publication of our Clinical Approaches Manual which captures the philosophy and approaches of the Program; completion of hundreds of hours of outreach and training; and publication of the Choices Curriculum and a relapse prevention workbook.