Deaf and hard of hearing social workers accessing their profession: a call to action.
This article aims to familiarize the social work profession with a paradox in its midst. Culturally sensitive and accessible services for deaf and hard of hearing people can often best be provided by social workers who are themselves deaf and hard of hearing, who have specialized language and communication skills, as well as unique cultural knowledge of this population at risk. Yet, deaf and hard of hearing graduates of social work education programs routinely experience difficulties accessing the profession. Addressing this paradox calls for creative collaborations among professional social work organizations, social work education programs, policymakers, and deaf and hard of hearing social workers.
Sheridan
Martha A
MA
Department of Social Work, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC 20002, USA. martha.sheridan@gallaudet.edu
White
Barbara J
BJ
Mounty
Judith L
JL
D003142:Communication; D003254:Consumer Advocacy; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003469:Culture; D003638:Deafness; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D012922:Social Change; D012935:Social Justice; D012947:Social Work / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012952:Societies; D000078329:Workforce