Task Force on Health Care Careers for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Community

Language concordance and cultural competency are key to delivering quality health care. In accordance with Healthy People 2020, increasing the numbers of health care workers from underserved and underrepresented minority populations are necessary to address the increasing diversity in our health care population. Deaf and hard of hearing communities are sorely underrepresented among our health care workforce. This leads to challenges with communication, cultural competency and advocacy for our deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking quality health care. To address this need, an unique partnership, among several institutions (National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Gallaudet University, National Center on Deaf Health Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Rochester General Health System) established a Task Force represented by a variety of deaf and hearing health and educational professionals from across the country. The Task Force has provided a national review paper to disseminate ideas on how to expand opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals within health care professions through increased accessibility strategies and options, the coordination and development of educational programs, and advocating for inclusive policy. We will also outline widely held perceptions among the general population that health care careers are not appropriate for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, barriers that unfairly limit educational opportunities, and the benefits of increasing the number of deaf and hard-of-hearing health care professionals to advocate and address the health care needs of people with hearing loss.