For this blog post, we are going to focus on statistics. Here are some of the top reasons your workplace should incorporate ASL into Professional Development.
Increasing Number of Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Individuals:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and this number is expected to grow.
In the United States alone, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that around 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.
Employment Rates for Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Individuals:
The unemployment rate among deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals is significantly higher than the general population. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, the unemployment rate for individuals with a hearing disability was 9.9%, compared to 6.7% for individuals without a disability.
Legal Requirements and Accessibility:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including effective communication. Learning ASL can help businesses meet these legal requirements and provide accessible services to all customers and employees.
Enhanced Customer Service:
Studies have shown that businesses that offer ASL services or have employees proficient in ASL experience increased customer satisfaction among deaf or hard-of-hearing customers.
According to a study published in the Journal of Service Research, 71% of deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals surveyed reported that they would prefer to patronize businesses that offer ASL services.
Communication Efficiency and Accuracy:
ASL is a visual language that can facilitate faster and more accurate communication compared to relying solely on written or spoken language.
Research conducted by the University of California, Davis, found that sign language can reduce communication errors by up to 80% compared to other forms of communication used by individuals with hearing loss.
Team Collaboration and Inclusivity:
Learning ASL promotes a more inclusive and collaborative work environment by fostering better communication and understanding among employees, regardless of their hearing abilities.
A study published in the Journal of Business Communication revealed that businesses that promote inclusivity through ASL training reported improved teamwork, increased employee morale, and reduced misunderstandings.
Market Expansion:
By incorporating ASL into business practices, companies can tap into a growing market of deaf or hard-of-hearing consumers and expand their customer base.
Research conducted by the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes showed that the purchasing power of the deaf community in the United States is estimated to be around $200 billion annually.
Personally, we have trained over 2000 students and have worked with multiple businesses to help build inclusive relationships and enhance communication. If you are interested in Professional Development for your workplace, contact us today.
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