Exploring the Communication and Systematic Barriers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Graduate Students in Higher Education

Abstract

This research focused on the communication and systematic barriers Deaf and Hard of Hearing graduate students face in higher education. The research explored the experiences, roadblocks, and inequities the DHH students face daily in academia. This study utilized narrative inquiry and qualitative approaches to better capture the human experience of the obstacles DHH graduate students faced in academia. A total of eight DHH students were recruited nationally to share their narratives about their experiences with graduate education and the lack of qualified communication access and other academic roadblocks in their journey. The findings indicate the importance of communicational accommodations. Additionally, findings discuss the sources and the factors that influence the lack of funds and other tools to accommodate the DHH students in higher education.