Date from the National Deaf Centre showed that in 2014 only 48% of deaf people were employed, versus 72% of hearing people. This can be due to deaf people are faced with prejudice in the workplace (audism), or they themselves feel too anxious or unconfident about their ability to communicate with others, despite being perfectly qualified for the job at hand. Moreover, once hired deaf workers may become discouraged because the people around them do not know how to best communicate with them, making them feel isolated and to keep to themselves. Much of the stigma associated with deafness is due to ignorance. By facing this stigma and how it effects deaf people, it is possible to create solutions that will help protect them from further discrimination.
Access to Work
- A communicator or BSL interpreter for meetings, conferences and job interviews
- A support worker, such as a note taker or communicator
- Specialist equipment, such as phones, hearing amplifiers, portable hearing loop systems, textphones and conference microphones
- Training for the employer and colleagues to help them better understand and support a deaf person's personal needs in the workplace.
- Having a BSL interpreter for meetings
- Being allowed to work flexible hours
- Allowing you to work from home sometimes
Career paths
Many people who don't hear well excel at understanding body language. They tend to pay close attention when people are speaking, and they are often very attuned to the differences between what people say with their mouths and what those same people convey with their gestures, expressions, and movements. These unique abilities can be used to connect with people in order to help them overcome mental struggles, find appropriate jobs, or fight for their legal rights.
- Lawyer
- Psychologist
- Police officer
- Paralegal
- Vocational rehabilitation counsellor
Technology and engineering
The vast majority of jobs in the technology and engineering fields do not require full hearing abilities. In most cases, communication can be done through text messaging, email, or other electronic means.
- Software developer
- Information security analyst
- Database administrator
- Biomedical engineer
- Web developer
Skilled trades
The skilled trades offer a wealth of opportunities. According to the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes report, nearly a quarter of the deaf workforce is employed in the manufacturing and construction industries. Many factories, garages, and building sites are noisy places to work, which means that even hearing employees are probably accustomed to communicating non-verbally using things like hand gestures, flashing lights, written notes, or vibrating cell phones. Plus, pinpointing mechanical problems can often be done by feeling for vibrations rather than listening for sounds.
- CNC programmer
- Electrician
- Industrial machinery mechanic
- HVAC technician
- Carpenter
- Automotive technician
Creative and performing arts
Some people with hearing challenges have exceptional visualization skills that serve them well in fields like design, animation, and photography. And some are so good at understanding the nuances of body language that they find it easy to convey concepts and emotions on stage or on screen.
- Animator
- Set designer
- Graphic designer
- Photographer
- Actor
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