Pagano, Todd and Annemarie D.Ross. "Evolution of a Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Laboratory Science Technology Program to Match the Need of a Changing Workforce." American Chemical Society Fall 2025. American Chemical Society. Washington, DC, US. 19 Aug. 2025. Conference Presentation. ∆
To be competitive in the ever-changing workforce, preparation of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) students as Skilled Technical Workers (STW) requires knowledge of best practices and curricular strategies. The Laboratory Science Technology (LST) program incorporates curricular modifications, such as teaching soft skills, to enhance the employability of D/HH Chemical Technical Professionals (CTP). In addition to partnerships with industrial employers and internship programs, communication with mentors about the use of assistive technology to ensure a safe and successful experience is vital. The strategies and best practices that have evolved as the LST program adapts to the needs of the chemical workforce will be shared.