Inclusive Research Environments for Deaf and Hard of Hearing English Speakers.

In recent years, an increasing number of deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) undergraduates have chosen to study in STEM fields and pursue careers in research. Yet, very little research has been undertaken on the barriers and inclusive experiences often faced by D/HH undergraduates who prefer to use spoken English in research settings, instead of American Sign Language (ASL). To identify barriers and inclusive strategies, we studied six English speaking D/HH undergraduate students working in research laboratories with their eight hearing mentors, and their three hearing peers sharing their experiences. Three researchers observed the interactions between all three groups and conducted interviews and focus groups, along with utilizing the Communication Assessment Self-Rating Scale (CASS). The main themes identified in the findings were communication and environmental barriers in research laboratories, creating accessible and inclusive laboratory environments, communication strategies, and self-advocating for effective communication. Recommendations for mentors include understanding the key elements of creating an inclusive laboratory environment for English speaking D/HH students and effectively demonstrating cultural competence to engage in inclusive practices.

Lived Experience: Deaf Professionals' Stories of Resilience and Risks.

Navigating a phonocentric and audistic society can be challenging for Deaf people, yet some of them adapt and exhibit resilience. Although there is a plethora of resilience studies, Deaf people's narratives are largely unexplored. This phenomenological study explored from a Deaf cultural-linguistic lens 10 Deaf professionals who use American Sign Language in the United States and their observation of other Deaf people's lived experience. The study focused particularly on their experiences in overcoming significant barriers in their lives and the factors that strengthen Deaf people's resilience. Based on qualitative data gathered from narrative interviews, three main themes emerged from this study: (a) Barriers to Incidental Learning: The Dinner Table Syndrome; (b) Importance of Family Involvement; and (c) Protective Role of the Deaf Community as a Second Family. The stories in this study highlight how Deaf professionals and other Deaf people navigate barriers and manifest resilience.

Welcoming Deaf Students into STEM: Recommendations for University Science Education.

Scientists are shaped by their unique life experiences and bring these perspectives to their research. Diversity in life and cultural experiences among scientists, therefore, broadens research directions and, ultimately, scientific discoveries. Deaf individuals, for example, have successfully contributed their unique perspectives to scientific inquiry. However, deaf individuals still face challenges in university science education. Most deaf students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines interact with faculty who have little to no experience working with deaf individuals and who often have preconceptions or simply a lack of knowledge about deaf individuals. In addition to a lack of communication access, deaf students may also feel unwelcome in STEM, as do other underrepresented groups. In this essay, we review evidence from the literature and, where data are lacking, contribute the expert opinions of the authors, most of whom are deaf scientists themselves, to identify strategies to best support deaf students in university STEM education. We describe the journey of a hypothetical deaf student and methods for faculty to create a welcoming environment. We describe and provide recommendations for classroom seating and layout, accommodations, teaching strategies, and research mentoring. We also discuss the importance of including deaf scientists in research about deaf individuals.