Underrepresentation of Deaf Faculty in Higher Education in California

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 3
  In Poster Session: Division J Section 4 Poster Sessions

Abstract

There is an underrepresentation of deaf faculty in higher education in California despite an increase in postsecondary enrollment of deaf students. Deaf individuals not only experience greater burden of attaining higher degrees to compete even with the un-degreed hearing individuals, but are also critically unprepared to return and/or discouraged from returning as faculty members after graduation. Deaf individuals who successfully became faculty members nonetheless remain an invisible population who are generally excluded from promotion or tenure opportunities due to attitudinal and language barriers. Deaf Critical Theory is used to examine the issue by identifying the inhibitive effects of audism. Inequitable work environment, absence of awareness training, and inadequate preparation should be addressed to increase recruitment and retention of deaf faculty.

Author

• Everett Randall Smith, San Francisco State University