So, if you caught the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on September 10, 2024, you already know what’s on everyone’s mind: the economy. It's the main stage topic, and honestly, it feels like we're all just waiting for some kind of magic bullet answer to a problem that’s way more complicated than most politicians let on.
But here’s the thing: when we talk about the economy, it’s easy to get lost in big numbers and buzzwords like “inflation” and “job markets.” The real question is, what are these candidates actually going to do for people on the ground, especially for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) communities?
So, when these candidates start throwing around their economic plans, the real question should be: how will they make life better for the people who need it the most? Or are we just going to get more empty promises while people keep playing catch-up in a system that was never designed for them to win?
The Employment Gap No One's Talking About
We’re constantly hearing about the "Great Resignation" and how workers are reclaiming their power, demanding better conditions, and opting out of toxic workplaces. But what if the system wasn’t set up for you in the first place? For many in the DHH community, employment isn’t just about landing a dream job, but accessing any job at all.
According to a study by the National Deaf Center, the employment gap between DHH individuals and hearing people is staggering. In 2019, about 53% of working-age DHH people were employed, compared to 75% of hearing individuals — a 22% difference.
The reasons are complex: discriminatory hiring practices, lack of accessible communication, and a pervasive idea that accommodations are “too expensive” or “too much trouble.”
In an economic downturn, the first cuts tend to be positions or accommodations deemed “non-essential”—a euphemism for anything that requires even a little more effort or money. Guess what that usually includes? Yup, the very accommodations that make workplaces accessible to DHH employees, like ASL interpreters or real-time captioning services.
What was said about the Unemployment Rate in the Debate?
Harris dropped a pretty bold statement: "Donald Trump left us the worst unemployment since the Great Depression." But is that true?
Let’s break it down. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says unemployment under Trump did hit a crazy high of 14.8% in April 2020, thanks to — you guessed it — the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down the world. For comparison, the Great Depression’s peak in 1933 saw unemployment skyrocket to a jaw-dropping 24.9%. So no, we didn’t hit those levels in 2020, but it was still rough.
That said, it’s worth pointing out that in February 2020, just a month before COVID shut everything down in the U.S., unemployment was sitting at a comfy 3.5%, which was historically low. So, if you’re going to blame Trump for the 2020 spike, you’ve gotta consider the global pandemic. By August 2020, unemployment had started to ease up a little, coming in at 4.2%. And currently, in August 2024, the unemployment rate is 4.2%.
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Now, here’s the kicker: neither Trump nor Harris have really laid out any solid plans for dealing with unemployment moving forward. It’s not that they’re ignoring the issue, but like everything else in politics, it’s all tied to bigger, messier policies.
Harris is pushing for significant tax credits aimed at boosting small businesses. She’s proposing an expansion of startup tax incentives from $5,000 to $50,000, with the goal of encouraging 25 million new small business applications over the next four years. Given that small businesses have generated over 64% of new jobs in the past 15 years, this could have a major impact on job growth. Harris also plans to expand tax relief, offering up to $6,000 for families with a newborn, addressing some of the existing imbalances in the tax system.
So, how does all this impact the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community? Harris’s focus on worker protections could help if it leads to more equitable job opportunities and better enforcement of ADA requirements. Trump’s approach, focused on tax cuts to the wealthy, tariffs, and deregulation, might boost hiring (though some disagree), but without targeted efforts on accessibility, the DHH community could still struggle to benefit. Neither candidate has offered specific plans to address these unique employment challenges.
Inflation: The Hidden Accessibility Tax
Let’s talk inflation for a second. While everyone is feeling the pinch from rising grocery prices, inflation hits harder when you’re already facing a mountain of extra expenses. For the DHH community, these costs are tied to basic communication access. Whether it’s purchasing hearing aids, hiring interpreters, or investing in specialized technology like captioned phones, these aren’t luxury expenses — they’re necessary for navigating everyday life.
With inflation driving up prices across the board, the cost of these accommodations can become untenable. And guess what? Insurance coverage for hearing aids and other assistive technologies is inconsistent at best and nonexistent at worst. The average cost of a pair of hearing aids is around $4,000, a hefty price tag that many people can't cover out of pocket, particularly when everyday essentials are becoming more expensive.
What was said about Inflation during the Debate?
During the debate, Trump said inflation is the "worst in our Nation’s history," but is that actually true?
Sure, inflation peaked at 9.1% in 2022 under Biden, the highest in four decades. But that’s still not as bad as the 14% spike in the 1980s or even higher rates in the early 1900s. So, Trump’s claim? A bit of an exaggeration.
Inflation under Biden has definitely been higher than during Trump’s term — about 19% compared to 6% in the same time span — but blaming Biden alone oversimplifies things. Economists point out that inflation is often driven by global factors, like supply chain issues, the pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, not just domestic policy. Since the pandemic, inflation has been steadily declining, with the current rate at 2.5%, the lowest since February 2021. In fact, the U.S. has had the lowest inflation rate among G7 nations over the past year and a half.
The inflation rate has been steadily dropping since the pandemic, with the current annual inflation rate is 2.5%, the lowest since February 2021. The U.S. has had the lowest inflation rate among G7 nations over the past year and a half.
Trump likes to blame Harris for inflation because of her tie-breaking vote on the American Rescue Plan, but both Trump and Biden signed off on stimulus packages that fed into rising demand. The bigger problem? Supply couldn’t keep up, thanks to the pandemic and global shortages.
Harris is promising to crack down on “price gouging,” blaming part of inflation on “greedflation” — companies charging the same for less. But research from the Federal Reserve suggests recent markups aren’t unusual, and some economists warn that price controls could backfire as inflation cools.
Trump’s plan? Higher tariffs, especially on Chinese goods, plus lower taxes and more energy production. But experts say his tariffs would likely raise costs, slow growth, and increase unemployment, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
So, how does all this impact the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community? Well, Harris’s plan to tackle price gouging could help stabilize costs on essential goods, which might offer some relief to DHH individuals who already face extra expenses, like assistive devices or specialized services. But if her approach backfires, and price controls drive inflation in other ways, it could make accessing these vital resources even harder. On the flip side, Trump’s tariff-heavy strategy would likely hike up the cost of imported goods, and since many assistive technologies are made overseas, the DHH community could see prices rise on products they rely on daily. Either way, inflation plans from both candidates could have ripple effects that hit this community harder than most.
Disability Benefits: A Patchwork System
When the economy tanks, a lot of people look to government safety nets like disability support to get by. But for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) community, that safety net is full of holes. Disability benefits in the U.S. are notoriously hard to qualify for, especially when your disability is “invisible” to most people.
A study in Front Public Health found a strong link between healthcare spending and economic indicators like income, GDP, and labor productivity. Basically, more spending on healthcare isn’t just good for public health — it can boost the economy too. Some economists even argue that increased healthcare spending could have a neutral or positive effect on the economy as a whole.
But even if you do manage to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the income limits and endless paperwork make it nearly impossible to live comfortably. For many DHH individuals, qualifying for benefits often means living below the poverty line because earning just a little more could cost you your support.
The bottom line? Public healthcare isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a lifeline for the DHH community, and it’s deeply tied to the broader economy.
What was said about Healthcare during the Debate?
When asked about his plan to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more commonly known as Obamacare, Trump hit us with, "I have concepts of a plan. I'm not president right now." If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve heard it before.
Back when he was in office, Trump kept saying he’d come up with something better than the ACA — but nothing materialized. Fast forward to now, and the plan is still just a "concept."
On the other side, Harris defended both the ACA and the Inflation Reduction Act, reminding us how Biden’s administration actually strengthened the ACA and lowered drug prices for seniors. She's reframing healthcare as an economic issue, proposing a cap on out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 a year and insulin at $35 a month. She’s tying healthcare to pocketbook issues, making it a core part of her economic pitch.
Meanwhile, Trump’s been talking about repealing Obamacare for eight years, but still no detailed replacement. He’s floated the idea of something cheaper and better than the ACA, but we’re still left asking: Where’s the plan? Experts aren’t holding their breath either, doubting we’ll see a concrete proposal if he gets a second term.
So, how does all this impact the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community? Harris’s push to lower healthcare costs and strengthen the ACA could provide crucial support for DHH individuals, making essential services like hearing aids and cochlear implants more affordable, and easing the financial burden on those who are unemployed or underemployed. If healthcare becomes more accessible, it could lead to greater opportunities for DHH individuals in the workforce. On the other hand, Trump’s lack of a concrete healthcare plan leaves many questions unanswered for the DHH community. Without specific policies addressing healthcare accessibility and unemployment, DHH individuals could continue to face the same challenges in finding and maintaining stable employment, especially when healthcare costs remain high and job accommodations are scarce.
Empty Promises or Real Solutions?
In the end, the Trump vs. Harris debate brought a lot of noise about the economy, but very little clarity on how their plans will impact the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Whether it's inflation, unemployment, healthcare, or disability benefits, the DHH population faces unique challenges that aren't being directly addressed by either candidate.
Harris’s approach to worker protections and healthcare could provide some relief, but without strong, targeted policies, there's still a lot of uncertainty. On the flip side, Trump’s vague promises and focus on tax cuts and deregulation leave even more gaps, especially when it comes to accessibility and the specific needs of marginalized communities.
So, as we head toward the 2024 election, the real question remains: will either candidate step up and offer real solutions for the DHH community, or are we in for another round of empty promises and political posturing while the system keeps leaving people behind? One thing’s for sure — the stakes have never been higher for the communities that need the most support.
And remember: register to vote!
