A study was undertaken to develop a valid, reliable measure of coping skills for use with hearing impaired adolescents. Subjects included 324 adolescents, aged 15 to 17 years. Through the permission of schools and parents and the cooperation of the Annual Survey of Hearing Impaired Children and Youth of the Center for Assessment and Demographic Studies, background information on the students was obtained. The Meadow-Kendall Social Emotional Inventory was completed, for each student, by two teachers who were familiar with the student. The new instrument, ACOPE, and a videotape stimulus for ACOPE were presented to the students; the instrument was presented in print, via videotape, and in Pidgin Sign English by a skilled signer. Subjects were tested in small groups in their classrooms. Subscale scores were computed based on the original factors generated by the authors of the scale; these included abilities related to ventilating feelings, seeking diversions, developing self-reliance, developing social support, solving family problems, avoiding problems, seeking spiritual support, investing in close friends, seeking professional support, engaging in demanding acts, being humorous, and relaxing. Results indicate that a valid, reliable measure of coping skills of hearing impaired adolescents could be developed. Five data tables are included. (TJH)