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Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery

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Worcester, MA
Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery

Our mission is to partner with Deaf people to develop innovative addiction & mental health resources. Our mission at the Deaf YES!

Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery is to partner with the Deaf community to develop innovative addiction and mental health resources that are accessible, useful, and freely available to Deaf sign language users. We value key principles of servant leadership to support this mission – choosing ethics over profit, prioritizing people over tasks, empowering others before seeking personal gain, balancing focus with flexibility, and leading with gratitude. Our work within the Deaf community has only been successful because of our community engagement approaches. Our Center’s clinical services and research studies are co-led by Deaf professionals, hearing professionals, and Deaf laypersons, ensuring that the work we do is relevant and accessible to our population of focus. In addition to this community co-leadership model, we continuously infuse the voice of Deaf community members into our work via ongoing qualitative interviews, focus groups, and community forums. At Deaf YES!, we strive to create an inclusive and empowering environment. We embrace diversity in all forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, disability, age, and socioeconomic background. Honoring and celebrating the rich tapestry of identities, experiences, and perspectives of Deaf people allows us to build stronger connections and work together to overcome barriers. We firmly believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential cornerstones for fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration, and promoting positive change. Our commitment to self-reflection is unwavering, and we continuously seek to learn, grow, and improve as an organization. We invite individuals, organizations, and communities to join us on this journey toward empowerment, recovery, and a more inclusive world for Deaf people.

02/11/2026

We’re excited to share that Rhys McGovern and Dr. Melissa L. Anderson from our DeafYES team will be presenting at the 2026 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Experiences in Healthcare Summit! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Their session, “Signs of Safety: A Deaf-Accessible Therapy Toolkit for Trauma and Addiction,” will highlight a specialized toolkit designed for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This work addresses the critical gap in behavioral health services for Deaf communities by sharing a treatment protocol developed through extensive community engagement to ensure true accessibility.
When? March 12, 2026
⏰ 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM CT
It'll be virtual!
We’re proud to see DeafYES contributing to research and solutions that center Deaf voices and improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care.
Learn more: www.2axend.com/DHHSummit

[ID: A promotional graphic for the 2026 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Experiences in Healthcare Summit. The image advertises a virtual session titled "Signs of Safety: A Deaf-Accessible Therapy Toolkit for Trauma and Addiction," scheduled for March 12, 2026, from 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM CT.
The layout features headshots and names of two speakers:
Melissa Anderson, PhD, MSCI and Rhys McGovern, MS, CCC-SLP. At the bottom, a call-to-action button provides the website link www.2axend.com/DHHSummit. The graphic is branded with the hashtag and the text
"Powered by 2axend".]

02/10/2026

COMMUNITY UPDATE - SIGNS OF SAFETY STUDY!
We have reached 25% of our recruitment goal! 36 participants enrolled, 108 more to go!!
Keep an eye out for ongoing updates about our progress with the Signs of Safety research study!

[Transcript]
Hello! Here is our monthly update on the Signs of Safety study, which will continue through 2028. We are excited to share that we have reached 25% of our recruitment goal We have a total of 113 people who have completed our screening survey! A total of 36 people have joined the study, which is 36 out of 144 participants (25%)! Remember, our goal is to hit 144 participants before 2028! If you’d like more information about our Signs of Safety study, please share it in the comment section! That’s all for now! See you next month!

[Video Description]
An intern, Carmelita, with short brown hair and clear glasses, wearing a black long sleeve shirt, olive green pants, and gold rings, sitting in the background with some plants, an off-white background, a big brown shelf with glass window, and white curtains near the windows.

02/05/2026

DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS? WE'RE STILL RECRUITING!

WHO CAN JOIN THIS STUDY?
- Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or Hard of Hearing
- Fluent in ASL
- 18 years and older
- Alcohol use in the past month
- Trauma-related stress in the past month

POSSIBLE BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE:
- 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost
- Learning skills to manage trauma and addiction
- Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys throughout the course of the study

INTERESTED? Click on the link: https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety

If you have other questions, feel free to contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu!

Visual description and transcript located in the Comments.

02/02/2026

Are you feeling unsure about your relationship with alcohol?

We are now are opening recruitment for Deaf adults who are ASL users in Massachusetts to join a research study!

✅ASL-accessible
✅ Virtual or in-person options
✅Six FREE therapt sessions
✅Compensation for surveys

Interested or want to learn more?
Email: alexander.wilkins@umassmed.edu
Call: 508-556-6261 (VP/Voice)
IRB Study #00002259

Visual description in comments

01/30/2026

FAQ Fridays:  What to expect during an informed consent session with a Deaf Community Advisor (DCA)?
✅Meet via Zoom ✅Accessible PowerPoint shared on screen ✅Clear explanation of the research study ✅Time to ask questions in ASL before deciding ✅Follow-up email after the session

VD: VD: a reel with a cover photo that is light blue. Text that says 'what to expect during an informed consent session with a DCA??' Underneath, there's text that says 'Because informed consent should be accessible!' DeafYES logo at the bottom. It then turns into a video of Tam, silver hair in a pony tail, wearing a black sweater standing in front of a black background. Tam signs information about the informed consent process.

Transcript in comments!

01/27/2026

Sharing courtesy of DeafHealth

01/23/2026

👀 Wondering if you’re eligible for our Signs of Safety Research Study?

For today's FAQ FRIDAY, we’re answering: Who can join the Signs of Safety Research Study?

Watch to learn the requirements and tap the link to see if you qualify.

Link: bit.ly/SignsOfSafety
OR
Email: signsofsafety@umassmed.edu

Video description and transcript in comments!

01/22/2026

EXCITING NEWS! DeafYES will be adding a new research study opportunity for deaf individuals in Massachusetts that focuses on drinking habits. Stay tuned for more details!

Video description: the cover of the reel is an image with DeafYES's logo, a faded out blue cloudy background with bold black text 'New Research Opportunity Coming Soon For Massachusetts residents who are Deaf. The state of Massachusetts in blue is underneath. The video then spirals to Alex, co-founder of DeafYES, signing details about the study.

Transcript in comments.

01/16/2026

FAQ FRIDAYS!

Got questions? We’ve got answers. ✅

This week's question: What is informed consent?

📋Every research study starts with informed consent which means clear information, real choices, and the right to refuse at any time.

VD: a reel with a cover photo that is light blue. Text that says 'what is informed consent?' Underneath, there's text that says 'No surprises. No pressure. Your choice!' DeafYES logo at the bottom. It then turns into a video of Tam, silver hair in a pony tail, wearing a black sweater standing in front of a black background. Tam signs information about informed consent

TRANSCRIPT: What is informed consent?
*video spins out to show the answer*

Informed consent is a person’s voluntary agreement to a service, treatment, or action after being fully informed of the risks, benefits, alternatives, and their right to refuse.

*closing transition with fade out*

01/15/2026

Feeling stressed, anxious, or generally “off” this new year? You’re not alone. These can be signs of trauma showing up in your body and mind.

Common symptoms of trauma-related stress:
-Hands shaking / heart racing
-Hyper-alert or on guard
-Trouble sleeping / nightmares
-Flashbacks or intrusive memories
-Emotional numbness / detachment
-Irritability, anger, or frustration

Some trauma survivors cope with these symptoms by drinking, but there are healthier ways! Help is available.

The DeafYES! Center for Deaf Empowerment & Recovery is conducting a study to find better ways to support Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals managing trauma-related stress and alcohol use.

Possible benefits may include :
12 virtual counseling sessions with a Deaf therapist at no cost
Learning skills to manage trauma & addiction
Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys (in ASL!)

Interested? Want to learn more? Go to https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety

[Video description: The video opens with a 3×3 grid of nine black-and-white video frames featuring different people. Each frame unfreezes one at a time as the person signs. When they finish signing, their frame freezes again and the next video begins, following a left-to-right, top-to-bottom order.

Top left: Carmelita, a woman wearing clear glasses with brown hair styled in low buns. She is dressed in a pastel-striped sweater and tan-colored bottoms. She sits against a plain gray background with a ceiling fan visible overhead.

Top middle: Gabby, a chubby blonde woman with her hair in a half ponytail. She is wearing a blue top and seated on a green couch, with plants visible in the background.

Top right: Naima, a light-skinned woman with her hair up. She is wearing a pink top, gray pants, and a metal feather–style earring. She is seated on a pink chair.

Middle left: Allysa, a woman with blonde, wavy hair seated in front of bookshelves. She is wearing a dark green and black plaid button-up shirt.

Middle center: Tamara, a white woman standing against a solid black background. She faces the camera with a gentle smile, her hair pulled back, and wears large black-framed glasses. She is dressed in a dark burgundy long-sleeved top with a soft cowl neckline. One hand is raised near her chest, showing a ring and a small tattoo on the side of her hand.

Middle right: Kayla, a dark-haired woman with bangs and glasses, wearing a black “DEAFYES” hoodie.

Bottom left: Felicia, a white woman with light brown hair pulled into a low bun. She is wearing a long gray turtleneck top and pearl earrings.

Bottom middle: Bee, a white q***r person with brown curly hair pulled back, wearing a black-and-gray ringer sweatshirt with yellow trim. They are wearing a pair of blue/brown-framed glasses.

Bottom right: Melissa, a middle-aged white woman with brown hair in a bun. She is wearing a gray turtleneck sweater and light blue jeans, seated at a dark wooden table in her home. In the background are a decorative rug and a plant on the right, and a vintage flour canister and snowman mugs on the left.

After the grid sequence, Bee continues signing for the remainder of the video.

[The screen fades to show the Signs of Safety study flyer. And a thumbnail of a faded white background of a doctor holding hands with another individual] Deaf. Healthy. DeafHealth. Learn more at www.deafhealthaccess.org.]

Transcript is available in the comments section.]

01/13/2026

Happy New Year!
ARE YOU DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS? WE ARE STILL RECRUITING!

WHO CAN JOIN THIS STUDY?
- Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled or Hard of Hearing
- Fluent in ASL
- 18 years and older
- Alcohol use in the past month
- Trauma-related stress in the past month

POSSIBLE BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE:
- 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost
- Learning skills to manage trauma and addiction
- Earning up to $500 for completing 5 online surveys throughout the course of the study

INTERESTED? Click on the link: https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety

If you have other questions, feel free to contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu!

[A flyer for a study titled "DEAF & SOBER CURIOUS?". The flyer is in a light wintry blue with snowflakes in the background. The text is predominantly dark navy blue and highlights eligibility requirements, potential benefits, and screening survey link.
The "WHO CAN JOIN?" section lists criteria including: being Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, or Hard of Hearing; able to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL); having experienced alcohol use and/or trauma-related stress in the past month; living in the United States; and being 18 years or older.
The "POSSIBLE BENEFITS" section lists 12 virtual counseling sessions at no cost and learning skills to cope with trauma and addiction. There is also a monetary incentive: up to $500 for completing five online surveys throughout the study.
Link information is provided: https://bit.ly/SignsOfSafety and a study identification number. A QR code is displayed above the "in ASL" text which provides another way to learn more about the study in ASL.
There is also a logo with text "DEAF YES" next to the email address, and university affiliations and IRB numbers are listed at the bottom.]

Address

100 Century Drive
Worcester, MA
01606

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17746704486

Website

https://deafyes.org/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/deafyes

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