Culture and Diversity in CSD
Introduction
Hello, my name is Naomi Harvey and I am an undergraduate student at University of South Florida majoring in Biomedical Sciences. The course, Culture and Diversity in CSD, has recently sparked my interest in determining the impact of the use of assistive technology in treating patients of the Deaf Community in the Tampa Bay Area. This project aims to promote equality in the healthcare systems of Tampa Bay.
What are assistive technologies?
Do you know what it is like to be a part of the deaf world? Do you know what the Deaf community thinks about assistive technologies available to them such as hearing aids and cochlear implants?
This video gives an idea of deaf culture, defines two main assistive technolgies for the deaf, hearing aids and cochlear implants, and gives insights into how the deaf community views them.
What are the Stats for Post-Secondary Achievement of Deaf People in Florida?
In 2015, deaf individuals had lower levels of education than their hearing counterparts (Garberogolio et al., 2017)
Females, regardless of their level of education (high school, college, bachelor's or above), have higher educational attainment than males in both hearing and deaf communities in Florida.
Among other races, African American individuals have the greatest disdvantage in educational attainment in both deaf and hearing individuals in Florida.
Deaf individuals with an additional disability have lower educational attainment when compared to deaf individuals who do not have an additional disability.
Lower employment rates exist among deaf people. In Florida, 6% of both deaf and hearing individuals are unemployed; however more individuals a part of the hearing community are employed (70%) when compared to deaf individuals employed (45%). More individuals a part of the deaf community are not in the labor force when compared to hearing individuals.
In Florida, the median earnings for full-time employed individuals is 500 dollars less for deaf individuals than it is for hearing individuals.
See full document here:
https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/sites/default/files/Florida.pdf
"Appreciation for cultural diversity is essential for our co-existence."
Lailah Gifty Akita
