The American Social Health Association Announces Enhanced STD and AIDS Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Mar 01, 2000
The American Social Health Association, (ASHA), announces enhanced STD and AIDS service for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. ASHA which for years has operated the National AIDS Hotline (CDC NAH) and the National STD Hotline (CDC NSTDH) separately under contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pleased to have this opportunity to provide both bodies of information in one call. While the CDC NAH has had a dedicated TTY (teletype) service for the Deaf and hard-of- hearing since 1988 STD information has not been available via a national hotline service. "The lack of available information for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing has been a major hurdle in slowing infection rates within these communities," says Chad Ludwig, Senior Supervisor of the newly integrated TTY service at the CDC National STD & AIDS Hotlines. As a member of the Deaf community I am thrilled about this enhancement!" The CDC National AIDS Hotline provides service in English, Spanish and via TTY, and the CDC National STD Hotline offers information in English. This integration is part of a four-phased project which began in November of 1999 when the CDC NAH Spanish service integrated STD information and referrals into their scope of service. According to Lourdes Suarez, Manager of the CDC NAH Spanish and TTY services, as well as Interim Manager of the CDC NSTDH this dual approach affords callers a higher level of service. "The integration of information and referrals allows our Health Communication Specialists to provide more complete information to callers, by addressing sexual health in a more well-rounded fashion. HIV is an STD. Other STDs can impact the likelihood of becoming infected with HIV. Providing this information in a more holistic format just makes sense!" The last phases of the Hotline integration will take place in April and August of this year with enhancements to the Hotlines' e-mail system and integration of the two English Services. The CDC National STD and AIDS Hotlines provide free, confidential and anonymous information, education and referrals to callers with STD & AIDS related questions. The hotline's TTY service is staffed by Health Communication Specialists who are skilled in American Sigh Language, English and Spanish. The TTY service is available 10:00AM - 10:00PM (Eastern Time), Monday - Friday, including holidays. A taped message provides information about HIV and AIDS at all other times. ASHA operates the CDC National AIDS Hotline, the CDC National STD Hotline, and the CDC National Immunization Information Hotline under contract with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Founded in 1914, ASHA is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention and control of all sexually transmitted diseases. Its mission is to stop STDs and their harmful consequences to individuals, families and communities. CDC National STD and AIDS Hotlines 1-800-243-7889 - TTY Service (10:00AM - 10:00PM, Monday - Friday) 1-800-344-7432 - Spanish Service (8:00AM - 2:00AM, 7 Days a Week) 1-800-227-8922 - English Service (8:00 AM - 11:00PM, Monday - Friday) 1-800-342-AIDS(2437) - English Service (24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week). For more information, contact: Tracey A. Adams Community Outreach & Promotions Manager Phone: (919) 361-8439 TTY: (919) 361-8484 Fax: (919) 361-4855 E-mail: traada@ashastd.org.
