Biomedical workforce diversity ensures that the full range of human talent, creativity and perspectives can be brought to bear on our nation's health needs and biomedical research agenda.  However, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) persons remain significantly underrepresented in health-related professions, among doctoral degree recipients, and within the ranks of academic medical faculty.  As a result, there is a pressing need for change.  Here, we outline an innovative Hub-based training infrastructure to address this disparity and enhance the diversity of biomedical scientists in the U.S.  The proposed HUB would serve as the focal point for development and dissemination of inclusive communication strategies/technologies, best practices for career development and training, new courses, and the training of expert sign language interpreters with specialized biomedical knowledge.  The Hub would also create a sense of community among otherwise isolated D/HH trainees, by serving as a central clearinghouse and coordinating center for a national network of D/HH scientists (who could serve as speakers, role models, mentors and peers), providing professional networking opportunities and supporting national and regional conferences. The overarching goal of this new model for D/HH scientist training would be to ensure that this unique and often “invisible” minority population is appropriately represented - and supported - in the biomedical research workforce.<br/>

Expanding biomedical training to the deaf/hard-of-hearing community

255th National Meeting (2018)

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