Deaf Healthcare Students and Professionals

More and more disabled students are pursuing careers in healthcare, from pharmacy techs to neurosurgeons.

National data suggests that 3% of physicians have a disability, and among those with disabilities, 12% are deaf. Whether you are a healthcare professional, a student aspiring to enter the field, an administrator, or an advocate for inclusivity, breaking down barriers ensures equal opportunities for all.

Chris Moreland discusses his experience as a deaf medical doctor.
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Over the last decade, there has been a 26% increase in the number of deaf medical professionals.

Diversity in the workforce improves patient and provider experience. Healthcare workers with disabilities may be able to better empathize with patients and may be less prone to burnout. Improving access and inclusion in the healthcare field benefits not only deaf healthcare professionals, but also patients and healthcare professionals who experience acquired or temporary disabilities. Resources are available for deaf students, disability service professionals, and program administrators organized by the following topics: Technical Standards, Accommodations, and Testing.

“A more diverse health professional workforce can improve health outcomes, mitigate health disparities and lead to disability-inclusive, accessible and equitable health profession education, training and practice” (Singh & Meeks, 2022, p. 106)

Medical or clinical internships are an important step in getting a higher education degree or post-graduation employment. For deaf students, navigating communication access in these settings is vital to achieving #DeafSuccess. In fact, how to best get this access is a frequent inquiry through our NDC | help team. Our team has gathered information and resources to assist in planning, coordinating, and collaborating with students and sites to ensure the best possible internship experience.

Explore This Topic

A person using a teal scrubs holding a tablet.
Healthcare Technical Standards
Group of people standing in a hallway smiling. They are wearing white doctor jackets. The hallway is full of windows.
Healthcare Accommodations
Hands of a person writing on a piece of paper using a pencil
Healthcare Testing

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