Understanding Deaf Individuals Who Are Not in the Labor Force: A Cluster Analysis

• In Event: 25.074 - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Research Paper Session

Abstract

Deaf people are increasingly gaining access to continuing education and training opportunities after high school, yet almost half of deaf people opt out of the labor force. To better understand the characteristics of deaf people who do not participate in the labor force, a cluster analysis was conducted using data from the 2016 American Community Survey. This analysis demonstrated six clusters of deaf people who do not participate in the labor force, and the characteristics of these people. Variables included age, income, marital status, immigrant status, presence of additional disabilities, children, educational attainment, race, gender, and current enrollment in school. Findings can help researchers, policy-makers, and educators identify risk factors and design programming that takes those individual differences into account.

Authors

• Carrie Lou Garberoglio, The University of Texas

• Stephanie W. Cawthon, The University of Texas at Austin

• Jeffrey Levi Palmer, The University of Texas at Austin

• Adam Chaim Sales, The University of Texas at Austin