I shouldn't write when
but.......
- More deaf/HoH are from poor families
From Center for Assessment and Demographic Studies at Gally:
DEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Third Edition, 1994
The prevalence of hearing impairment at all ages decreases as family income increases (Table 8). Overall, those with a family income of less than $10,000 are twice as likely as those with a family income of $50,000 and over to have hearing impairment.
- More deaf/HoH adults don't graduate from high school
In the adult population, the prevalence of hearing impairment is greater for those who are not high school graduates (i.e., have less than 12 years' education) than for high school graduates (Table 7).
- Many deaf/HoH don't get help for any government
From University of Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions:
Disability Statistics
--1 out of 7 hearing impaired will not seek help
--it takes an average of 7 years for someone with a hearing impairment to seek help
- Few deaf/HoH get SSI
From University of Northern Colorado -
National Center for Low-Incidence Disabilities
56,179 individuals in the United States receive Social Security disability benefits because of deafness (Social Security Administration, 2004).
- College is so expensive
From CNNMoney:
Average college cost breaks $30,000
Average for 4-year private school passes key mark; total costs for both public and private schools up well above inflation.
The average cost of a four-year private college jumped to $30,367 this school year, the first time the average has broken the $30,000 mark.
As they have for the past 11 years, average college costs rose faster than inflation, according the latest report from the College Board, a non-profit association of 4,500 schools, colleges and universities.
- Deaf/HoH students have struggles more than hearing students
No need for link, right??
- Deaf struggle more in jobs also
Communication barriers for deaf employees: Needs assessment and problem-solving strategies
Deaf people experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment and earn lifetime wages that are between $356,000 and $609,000 less than their comparably educated normally hearing counterparts. This results in a substantial loss of earning power and career identity for members of this underutilized population of workers. This article examines how communication difficulties pose a major barrier to employment retention and advancement for deaf employees. These barriers exist (a) within the employee in terms of nonfluent use of English and reliance upon American Sign Language, (b) with the employment site, and (c) with agency service personnel. Primarily, these barriers reflect a lack of understanding of the cultural and communication needs of deaf people. Strategies to ameliorate these barriers include a model of long-term employment support using an ecological framework.
- My point: SSI is necessary for some deaf. NOT because of "just lazy", but because average education and income is low for deaf/HoH. The best SSI is for students because education will give better jobs. Not every family has money for college, but deaf/HoH will struggle more without education than hearing. The US government decided deaf qualify for SSI so why do people here doubt the government? As PuyoPiyo said "
That is exactly what the SSI for."
