Thank you Jeff!
I have thought a lot about what to blog about. Since I am going into more of a business related major, I figured knowing some things about how deaf people get jobs and aid would be helpful. It seems to be that there are very few options for deaf people. They face discrimination and finding jobs is nearly impossible in the hearing world. Seems that deaf people can only get jobs at say Gallaudet or some other deaf community related events. I did some research and one way deaf people get aid is through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Is this aid discriminatory itself?
It requires deaf people to have been employed for a certain length of time and a certain level of hearing loss to qualify, but deaf people have a hard enough time getting a job let alone holding one.
My question then is,
How can we help deaf people get jobs?
What ways can we make deaf people “accepted” into the workforce?
How do deaf people afford to live with unlikely chances of jobs and aids being so precise as they are, also along with many other expenses?
I would like to see what people come up with, either through their research or just ideas they can think of
Looking for a Job
Searching for a job when you are deaf or hard of hearing is one of the most frustrating experiences many deaf people have. It is important to know your legal rights when looking for a job. It is also equally important to utilize any and all resources available, especially interpreters. Many deaf and hard of hearing people have shared their personal stories of discrimination encountered in the job search. Plus, for deaf people who wish to work only in the deaf community, there are specialized job sites.
What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
SSDI (also known as Social Security Disability) is a monthly check that goes to people with disabilities who have worked long enough to qualify for it. Disabled people who lose their jobs often turn to SSDI until they can find new employment.
Can Deaf People get SSDI?
A deaf person can get SSDI as long as the deafness meets the Social Security requirement that the medical condition last at least a year. In addition, the deaf person must meet two Social Security tests: the Recent Work test and the Duration of Work Test. The criteria for both tests vary depending on a person's age.
For example, for a late deafened person in their 30s, the Recent Work test is passed if the person became deaf in the quarter they turned 31 or later, and also if they had worked at least five years out of a 10-year period that ended with when the person became deaf. For someone who was born deaf, to pass the Duration of Work Test they only need to have worked 1.5 years.
In addition, the deaf person's deafness must be considered "severe." Deafness appears on a list of impairments that automatically qualifies a person as disabled. Social Security has a "Blue Book," Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, that has a section, 2.00 Special Senses and Speech - Adult. Sub-section 2.08 on Hearing Impairments states:
2.08 Hearing Impairments (hearing not restorable by a hearing aid) manifested by:
A. Average hearing threshold sensitivity for air conduction of 90 decibels or greater, and for bone conduction to corresponding maximal levels, in the better ear, determined by the simple average of hearing threshold levels at 500, 1000, and 2000hz. (see 2.00B1); or
B. Speech discrimination scores of 40% or less in the better ear.
How Long Can a Deaf Person Get SSDI?
Unlike unemployment benefits, SSDI does not have a time limit and continues as long as the person meets the disability criteria. The deaf person's eligibility may be reviewed periodically to see if the deaf person still qualifies as disabled. SSDI can also stop if a person earns too much (you can work while receiving SSDI, as long as it is below a limit).
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Well, unfortunately, states and the federal government keep cutting and reinstating unemployment, so who knows if anyone will be getting help in the years to come.
ReplyDeleteAs for SSDI - I think the program is fine as long as it is equal to general unemployment, and to get unemployment, you have to have been fired from a full-time job you held for a year. So at least it's equal to the other program.
In my opinion, it should be 9 months or so for everyone, but it's better than nothing.
As far as has having deaf people accepted more into the workplace: there is no easy way to go about this. There is going to be continued discrimination in the workplace until there is proper education to those who hire. I don't know about you all, but I have had a great switch of ideas in my mind about deaf people ever since I have been working with Monica. If those who hire are educated properly on what deaf individuals are capable of, maybe this could increase the amount of deaf people who are hired.
ReplyDeleteAs for SSDI: I agree with Jared. I think he says it all just right.
I agree with Amanda. After taking two years of ASL and Deaf culture, my view of deaf people has really changed. Well I guess I didn't really have a view because I didn't give it much thought. Maybe the correct thing to say is that I have been educated and my horizons have been broadened. Until the rest of the of the world is educated, Deaf people are going to be discriminated against in the working world. This is a very misfortunate thing and extremely unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the SSDI, I think it is fair that Deaf people get it; however the title of it throws me off. I don't like that it has the word 'disability' in it. It sounds contradicting since it is wrong to call a Deaf person disabled but they are getting Disability insurance. But Deaf people have to take it because our government and society have given no other option. Everyone needs to eat and provide for their family and if Deaf people aren't given any jobs how are they suppose to make or take home any money?
I think that SSDI is discriminatory against the Deaf community because it is putting them out there like they have a disability when truly they are like us but they just can't hear. Since people aren't educated on the Deaf Culture/ community that they still discriminate towards them and until people have been educated it will remain like this sadly. But that is why there are people like you and me that are learning about it and teaching others along the way. So that one day they are no longer discriminated towards
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aamanda and Josie. Since so many people know little or nothing about the Deaf Community, Deaf people will continue to struggle finding acceptance in the work place. I also agree that the term "disability"in the title SSDI is very misleading and gives people the wrong idea. It comes down to the fact that the Deaf Community deserves to have the same rights as anyone else. They should be treated as equals and have the same opportunities as everyone else in the work place, and in any other life situation. But as we all know, it will take time for more people to become informed and understand all of this like we have all had the opportunity to do.
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