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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement
Deaf Culture
November 14, 2023
6 Min

The Deaf Ecosystem

Discover what the Deaf Ecosystem is, the dos and don’ts, how it thrives, and how you can support it. Click here to read all about it!

Author:
Colton Jannusch
The Deaf Ecosystem
Example h2
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As allies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, we continually work toward collective empowerment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people by increasing accessibility. One way we do this is by educating ourselves on what the Deaf Ecosystem is. 

What is the Deaf Ecosystem?

The Deaf Ecosystem is a vast network of Deaf people, organizations, schools, communities, and other social groups and institutions that come together to support one another by sharing resources, money, and opportunities for and by Deaf people.

One of the goals of the Deaf Ecosystem is to make the Deaf community thrive and be self-reliant. A Deaf Ecosystem is created when the community invests in:

  • Deaf businesses
  • Deaf professionals and artists
  • Organizations that support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Deaf state-funded schools 

Supporting the Deaf Ecosystem is crucial for preserving and growing Deaf culture and the Deaf community.

As part of the Deaf Ecosystem, we all work together to advance the socioeconomic, ethical, and political betterment of deaf, deafblind, deaf-disabled, and late-deafened people around the world. By bringing awareness to the Deaf Ecosystem, we are cultivating opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities to thrive and achieve brighter futures. 

For example, Deaf business owners face societal barriers and lack of entrepreneurial support, which hinders their ability to grow their businesses. Our support will lead to social and economic influence, increased retention, and expansion of jobs, resources, and wealth within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. 

community illustration
community illustration

How do Corporations support the Deaf Ecosystem?

The world is becoming more inclusive every day and businesses are playing a big role in that change. Below are a few examples of commitment to the Deaf community:

  • Starbucks opened its first U.S. “Signing Store” for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in 2018. This store is located on the H Street corridor in Washington, D.C. This Deaf-friendly Starbucks is where the staff are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, sign language is an option and technology is available that makes the coffee experience accessible. The Washington location was modeled on the Seattle-based coffee chain's first Signing Store, which opened in Malaysia in 2016. Of the location’s 25 employees, 19 of them are deaf. Amazing! There are now “Signing Stores” around the world, including Japan, China and Indonesia.
Starbucks
Starbucks
Coffee sign
Coffee sign
  • In 2019, Comcast launched a Customer Service program called ASL Now for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in American Sign Language. For this, Comcast partnered with Connect Direct, a subsidiary of Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD). Customers can now call support and have ASL access for Internet Essentials, Xfinity Internet, and general Xfinity billing questions. 57% of people with disabilities do not even have a home broadband subscription. This program helps ensure that members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community can get connected to the internet at home without barriers. 
A woman communicating using sign language
A woman communicating using sign language
  • In 2020, Chase Bank opened its first branch location aimed at serving the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in Washington, D.C. This location can also be found in the H Street corridor. Customers can use digital screens with captions and an on-demand video interpreting service. They can also get financial planning guidance from employees who are fluent in American Sign Language.
Chase bank
Chase bank
  • Apple, in partnership with Gallaudet University, launched new guides in Apple Maps in 2022. The new guides help connect the Deaf community to the global signing ecosystem.  The new guides are titled:
  • The Gallaudet Neighborhood
  • Deaf-Owned Businesses in the D.C. Area
  • All About Gallaudet
  • Deaf Schools and Programs for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
signing ecosystem
Signing Ecosystem

The guides bring greater awareness of the vibrant Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to the larger hearing population and showcase a wide range of Deaf-owned and Deaf-friendly organizations for Apple Maps users. As a bonus, Apple also has an Apple Store at the Carnegie Library with Deaf and Hard of Hearing staff, in addition to onsite interpreters for consultation and training with Apple devices. 

As the world presses ahead, we recognize that corporations are starting to see the value of Deaf and Hard of Hearing users and community members and be contributors by democratizing technology through products and services designed for everyone. Starbucks, Comcast, Chase, and Apple, as mentioned above, are fantastic examples of accessible innovation. 

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How can you support the Deaf Ecosystem?

One of the most important ways you can support the Deaf Ecosystem is by investing in Deaf-led businesses and organizations. These businesses and organizations are often run by members of the Deaf community and provide goods and services that are tailored to the needs of the Deaf community. Here are several ways you can support below:

  • Shop at Deaf-owned businesses
  • Hire a Deaf professional to do services that your workplace or household needs
  • Donate to your local organization that serves Deaf and Hard of Hearing people
  • Share, post, and spotlight Deaf-owned businesses on your social media accounts
  • Donate time, money, and resources to organizations and schools that serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing people
  • Support local initiatives in your town and states that help accessibility and inclusion for the Deaf
  • Support deaf children in their choice when pursuing undergraduate education at Gallaudet University, Rochester Institute of Technology, California State University-Northridge, and SouthWest College for the Deaf
  • Talk to your family and friends about Deaf-owned businesses like Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., Mozzeria, Crepe Crazy, etc. 

Don’ts

  • Sell or teach ASL or ASL-related products without involvement or approval from Deaf or Hard of Hearing perspectives.
  • Host ASL workshops or seminars without the consultation of or involvement of the deaf community. 
  • Glamorize sign language interpreters or hearing people who use ASL with a lack of recognition for deaf people themselves.
  • Hand out propaganda with misleading messages that prioritize assistive devices and the ability to hear as the only or cure-all solution for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people.
  • Perpetuate ill-conceived notions of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people and assign expectations based on common tropes and stereotypes.
  • Deny sign language access for deaf children, which causes language deprivation, while popularizing the use of baby signs for hearing children.
  • Deprive Deaf and Hard of Hearing children’s opportunity to explore various communication modes, which restricts their growth and access to education. 

Our Promise

We here at Nagish are proud to be a part of the Deaf Ecosystem. We know there is more work to do, and we remain committed!

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
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Colton Jannusch

A passionate and dedicated English teacher who creates an inclusive and engaging learning environment, inspiring students to develop their language skills and cultivate a lifelong love for literature.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

The Deaf Ecosystem

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.