1. Building Community for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Scientists: The Rochester Training Pipeline EXPERIENCE
Scott Smith, Gerard Buckley, James DeCaro, Steve Barnett, and Steve Dewhurst
National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Rochester Medical Center

2. Unique characteristics of deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals that contribute both to their historical obstacles accessing science careers and to the diversity benefits that they can bring to the science workforce
Unique elements important to successfully train and work with deaf/hard-of-hearing scientists
The Rochester training pipeline and vision for future

3. DEFINING DEAFNESS AND DEAFHOOD
pathology (deficit model)
medical treatment with aim to cure
focused on listening and speaking
socialize with hearing people
cultural (language, cultural habits, shared sense of self, focus on positive abilities)
sign language = spoken language
encourage the development of ALL communication modes
socialize with other deaf as well as with hearing

4. GROWING UP DEAF/HARD-of-HEARING
depending on family and educational background…
variable communication strategies
American Sign Language
English-based Signing Systems
Speechreading and Speaking
Writing
variable English language development
average reading at high school graduation is 4th grade, but wide variability

5. GROWING UP DEAF/HARD-of-HEARING
with almost no exception,
inconsistent and incomplete access to informal and incidental information
this “wall” impacts
fund of information (world knowledge, art of politics, etc.)
personal and social development
“soft skills” deficits

6. GROWING UP DEAF/HARD-of-HEARING
the social stigma of D/HH as a disability diminishes career awareness, career expectations, and career efficacy
parents and many hearing people are often not exposed to successful D/HH adults
this stigma is also often internalized (self- stigma) and decreases students’ career exploration and planning
D/HH children and young adults are often not exposed to successful D/HH adults

7. THE RESULT: REDUCED EDUCATIONAL ATTAIMENT
D/HH individuals possess doctorates at one-third the rate of hearing individuals

8. WHAT WE CAN DO?
educate everybody, especially leaders and administrators
ensure effective communication access
use visuals
address writing skills
include deaf/HH mentors/role models

9. ENSURE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ACCESS
customize communication access for each individual deaf/hard-of-hearing scientist
specialized interpreters and other communication technologies
be creative and flexible when possible
use I-Pad under a lab hood

10. USE VISUALS!!!
increased awareness of mentor and research team about advantages of using visual communication

11. ADDRESS WRITING SKILLS
provide additional mentoring and support with writing grants, papers, and posters
constructive feedback
examples
provide supplemental science and grant writing courses and seminars

12. INCLUDE DEAF/HH ROLE MODELS
Elevate
Elevate career awareness and expectations
Overcome
Overcome social and internalized stigma to increase self-confidence, self-efficacy, and psychological resilience
Bridge
Bridge gaps in “soft skills” caused by incomplete access to contextual (incidental) information

13. THE ROCHESTER TRAINING PIPELINE

14. ROCHESTER SUMMER RESEARCH TRAINING INSTITUTE
More than 80 participants from all over the USA
For some, first time meeting and networking with other D/HH researchers

15. THE VISION: National Hub of Excellence for D/HH SCIENTISTS
collaborate with institutions, industry, and government throughout the country
conduct multi-disciplinary programs of research to implement, evaluate, and disseminate best practices for cultivating successful D/HH scientists
serve as a national outreach and technical assistance resource
provide a virtual community of D/HH mentors and role models for D/HH scientists nationally

16. RESOURCES The Rochester Summer Research Training Institute
for meeting proceedings:
The National Hub of Excellence for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Scientists
The Rochester Postdoctoral Partnership Program
scholars.aspx
The Rochester Bridges to Doctorate Program
The RIT-RISE Scientists-In-Training Program
(website still under construction)

17. Questions, Comments, Feedback?
Thank you very much for your attention and feedback!!