Less than six per cent of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing work in healthcare in the US, compared to almost ten per cent of people who hear. These statistics were issued by four research-partners, seeking to increase the number of deaf and hard of hearing people working in healthcare.
Taskforce Reviews Healthcare Career Options for Deaf People
Barriers to deaf and hard-of-hearing people studying healthcare in the US included attitudes from schools on learning a prospective student was deaf, and from potential students, who had fears their hearing might be an issue.
Solutions to address healthcare barriers for deaf/hoh people
- Information on healthcare-related educational/employment options
- Employer awareness of benefits of hiring/supporting these workers
- Widespread use of innovative access technologies
- Creative approaches for funding access services
- Website with worker/employer programs, resources & internships
- Program to share best practices in classrooms and clinical settings
- National advisory group for taskforce’s long- and short-term goals
Further Reading
- Deaf Medical Student Not Fazed By Hearing Issues
- Deaf Student Doctor Adds Perspective To Training
- Cornell STEM Captioning May Reach High Schools
- Deaf Student Uses Captions In Operating Theatre
