A recent article published in Raising and Educating Deaf Children by NDC’s director of operations, Tia Ivanko, outlines in clear, brief language why NDC does what it does. The article, titled “Pathways to Success After High School for Deaf Students,” describes what we know about deaf student success and the implications for improving access for deaf students.
Raising and Educating Deaf Children is a special online publication for parents and professionals by the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education.
“With degrees and advanced training,” Ivanko writes, “more professions and careers will be available to deaf young adults, and then educational, economic, and social equity will be achieved.”
Yet, those keys to social equity are slipping through the fingers of deaf students. NDC analysis of U.S. Census data shows that almost 15% fewer deaf students earn bachelor’s degrees than their peers. Further analysis shows that gap continues into those students’ careers, with an almost 23% gap in employment rates between deaf and hearing people.
To help close those gaps, Ivanko writes, “The National Deaf Center offers hundreds of free resources, several training courses, and personalized one-on-one assistance to support deaf success.”
Want to help? Check out NDC’s Project Opening Doors initiative. If you’re a deaf student at college or a faculty or staff member who works with deaf students, complete the appropriate survey and share with your campus community.
If you’re not affiliated with a college or university, join or create a local task force to engage your community and encourage change. Together, we can ensure a level playing field for all students to succeed.
