Abstract

This paper focuses on Chicana/os who are hearing impaired and the struggles they face. This research project will address the different styles of sign language and different kinds and levels of hearing loss. Using peer review sources I provide statistics on the number of Chicana/os in the United States with hearing disabilities and narrow it down to the number of Deaf Chicana/os in Washington state. In this paper I will address the additional challenges faced by deaf Chicana/os as they attempt to communicate with their families who only speak Spanish; most of the time a sibling is compelled to learn sign language and become their personal interpreters, which brings it own sets of challenges. This paper also addresses the high demand that exist for trilingual interpreters. Finally, this paper address the challenges Chicana/os Latina/os face in acquiring an insurance the properly covers the needs of the hearing impaired in their community.

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Citation: Gutierrez, Christina, “The Lack of Diversity Among Sign Language Interpreters Presents Major Challenges for the Health Care Industry Serving the Chicana/o Community” (2016). 2016 Symposium. 10.

Brandon Arthur

Brandon Arthur is a lover of life and considers himself very fortunate. He is the Founder of Street Leverage and is a passionate social entrepreneur within the field of sign language interpreting. Brandon is a nationally certified interpreter and has worked on both the practicing and business sides of the field for the past 20 years. He earned a B.S. degree in Psychology and a Minor in Business from George Mason University. His father is Deaf and his mother is a sign language interpreter. Brandon is a devoted father and husband and enjoys the sport of triathlon.

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