title: Deaf culture: competencies and best practices.
abstract: To successfully navigate in the hearing world, deaf individuals must be able to read and write to bridge the gap when others do not know American Sign Language. Unfortunately, 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents and do not develop language skills early on, which negatively impacts their ability to access health information and healthcare. Healthcare providers must ensure they provide culturally competent care and their practices accommodate the needs of deaf patients to mitigate communication barriers and ensure equitable care with positive health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Kathleen J. Richardson is a Lieutenant Colonel, Army Nurse Corps, Uniformed Services University, DNP Nurse Practitioner, Residency Director, Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
authors.forename: Kathleen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D003144:Communication Barriers; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003638:Deafness / Q000451:nursing*; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic