A.T. Evaluation for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Employment: Identifying the Barriers and Technology Options

ACBVI/ATArizonaVirginia Thompson, M.A., C.R.C., C.V.E., L.A.C.

“The use of the cultural label of being Deaf can be a declaration

of personal identity rather than an indicator of hearing ability.

American Sign Language unites people with profound hearing loss

throughout the United States. Deaf Communities have their own

educational institutions, social clubs and athletic organizations.

A variety of events, conferences and conventions take place on

a regular basis, providing individuals who are deaf a wide variety

of options in which to interact with others. In addition, the Deaf

Community engages in social and political activities exclusive to

the Deaf Community.

The Deaf Community provides a sense of belonging for deaf

people who might otherwise feel excluded from hearing culture.

A belief commonly shared by Deaf people is that deafness should

not be regarded as an impairment or a disability.” Source: acdhh.org

Deaf: A Definition

The term "hard of hearing" refers to those who have some hearing and are able to use it for communication purposes (NAD, 2008)

Hard of Hearing (HOH): A Definition

Audiogram

Communication◦ Methodology◦ Technology options

Language◦ American Sign Language◦ Pidgin Signed English

Perceived communication barriers◦ Employers’ perspective

Barriers for Deaf

Average Cost of Accommodations◦ Studies by the President’s Committee's Job

Accommodation Network have shown that 15 percent of accommodations cost nothing, 51 percent cost between $1 and $500, 12 percent cost between $501 and $1,000, and 22 percent cost more than $1,000. Source: Michigan Community Service Commission

Statistics

In 2011, a study led by researchers from Johns Hopkins reported that nearly 20% of Americans 12 and older have hearing loss so severe that it may make communication difficult.[4] The study also found that 30 million Americans (12.7% of the population) had hearing loss in both ears while 48 million Americans (20.3% of the population) had hearing loss in one ear.[5] According to 2010 data from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 17% of American adults (36 million people) report some degree of hearing loss.[6] Of this group, 18% of American adults between the ages of 45 and 64 have experienced some degree of hearing loss.[7] NIDCD estimates that approximately 15% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 (26 million people) have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to loud sounds or noise at work or in leisure activities.[8] Source: EEOC

Statistics

According to 2005 population statistics, about 8.6% of Arizonans are estimated to have hearing loss. One-third of Arizona Seniors have hearing loss. Just under 1% of the Arizona population is Deaf. Source: Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ACDHH)

Statistics

Counseling Technique used Holistic Approach Comprehensive Interview

◦ Going beyond the obvious disability Comfort Level Current and Future Needs

◦ Social◦ Employment◦ Education

Working from Rehabilitation Viewpoint

Make a connection Establish Safety Ask Open-Ended Questions Actively Listen Provide Validation and Feedback Express Empathy Explain How Helping Process Works

Counseling: Person Centered Approach

Home◦ Why address this?◦ Safety

Social◦ Why address this?◦ Psychosocial impact

Work◦ What is involved and planning for future

Education◦ What may be used in education that applies to work

Holistic Approach

What do they know?◦ Exploring what they use now◦ Exploring what they used in the past◦ Exploring both low and high technology◦ Exploring available technology used daily

Interview Process

◦ White Board◦ Ubi Duo◦ Sign Language Interpreter◦ Video Phone and Video Relay Service◦ Video Remote Interpreting◦ TTY and NexTalk◦ Telephone Relay Service◦ IP Relay (Internet Protocol Relay)◦ Tablet◦ Smartphone

Deaf: Common Technology Options

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EJ4g3J6cJM

&noredirect=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRoMzd8AQoI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l37lzLIg

QU

HOH: What does it sound like?

White Board Ubi Duo Telephone Amplification Tablet Smart Phone Captioned Telephone FM System (Integrated and Regular) and Loop System Streamer TTY, Uniphone, and NexTalk Telephone Relay Service including VCO and HCO

HOH: Common Technology Options

Questions? Comments

www.atarizona.com www.acbvi.org www.aztap.org www.askjan.org www.harriscomm.com http://www.dsi-tty.com/index.aspx https://chs.asu.edu/shs/clinic www.acdhh.org

Resources

Contact InformationVirginia Thompson, M.A., C.R.C., C.V.E., L.A.C.ACBVI.ORG3100 E. RooseveltPhoenix, Arizona 85008vthompson@acbvi.org Cell: (602) 358-1726

Thank You