Role Models as Facilitators of Social Capital for Deaf Individuals: A Research Synthesis

Deaf individuals often experience barriers such as negative attitudes, prejudice, and reduced accessibility in school and work environments. The purpose of this article was to explore the unique contributions role models can provide for individuals who are deaf. We reviewed and summarized findings from role models research and identified four key themes across the literature. Our findings suggest that role models for deaf individuals seem to influence personal development that positively impacts achievement in academics and employment.