In the U.S., more than half of people ages 16-64 who are deaf or hard of hearing are working, compared to 71% of hearing people. In California, the numbers are close to the national averages, so the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) is investing in this community with $2.7 million in grants to help more of them get jobs.
“All workers, including our deaf and hard of hearing communities, deserve access to good jobs,” says EDD Director Nancy Farias. “This support helps level the playing field for a more diverse and inclusive workforce.”
Five organizations received portions of the grant. All provide job and training services such as interpreter services at no-cost for interviews, orientations, and trainings. The organizations also provide guidance on creating a resume, practicing for interviews, and searching for jobs.
Changing Employer Misperceptions
Grant recipient Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center in Fresno works with employers to educate them on how deaf and hard of hearing individuals can be productive employees.
“Perceptions of the abilities of potential employees who are deaf can be very limiting,” says Jesse Parrish Lewis, project director for the organization.
“Employers who view those who are deaf as problematic will already be resistant even before an interview, which is not always granted. Rather than find accommodations that can allow the employee to shine as part of the team, these jobseekers often don’t get a chance.”
The Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc. (GLAD) provides help on how to dress for interviews and how to fill out applications, which might seem straightforward. But, as GLAD CEO Patricia Hughes point out, a seemingly simple request like “provide your phone number” can be a bit more complex.
“I have a number for my home, which is a video phone, and another phone used for texting only,” says Hughes.
“Whenever I look at an application and put down my text number, someone might call for an interview and not get a response. And I don’t know who is calling because that number is only for texting; a potential employer would need to use the relay service” for the interpreter, she adds.
As there are degrees of deafness, some people can use their phones, use video services like Facetime, or might need relay services as Hughes described. GLAD provides jobseekers the steps to find accommodations and different tips to help them with resources to find equipment they might need (like a video phone).
She estimates GLAD serves 300 to 600 people a year in different capacities. In 2023, they placed 109 people in jobs. From July to September this year, 28 were placed.
Funding Will Expand Opportunities
Individuals usually come to organizations like Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center through word of mouth, referrals, even walk-ins.
“We’re human beings. We’re just like anybody else: deaf, hearing, or hard of hearing. We have to have a way to support ourselves,” Hughes says.
“Rarely do we have the kind of funding that will allow us to dedicate even one staff towards the employment needs of our community,” Lewis adds.
“This particular service is very time-consuming. We are fortunate that this funding also allows us to have an interpreter on staff who can go to interviews and job trainings, allowing employers to start off their relationship with their new deaf employees on a positive note.”
Deaf and hard of hearing people can work in just about every profession one can think of, but Lewis says he has seen many deaf community members become teachers for the deaf, social workers serving the community, videophone installers, and work in other tech industry jobs.
“Many deaf and hard of hearing individuals tend to work where there are other deaf and hard of hearing employees because of easier communication access. It can be frustrating working where there are many hearing, non-signers, and it can become lonely and isolating at times.”
Lewis adds, “Because of these communication barriers and some not having sufficient soft skills for white collar jobs, we may see some deaf and hard of hearing preferring to work in factory jobs, maintenance, and other areas of manual labor. The sad reality is we are always needing to adapt and not always provided accommodation.
“This limitation does not need to be the norm, however. It will take changing of common perceptions and changes to our educational system to shift this over time to what it needs to be,” he says.
