One of the most important things you do in life is find a job you love. It gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning, provides the roof over your head, and gives you independence. Finding work can be a struggle, but for those who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing, finding a job may be even more daunting. Many employers are not equipped to accommodate hard of hearing staff, so this presents a whole new set of challenges. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, don’t lose hope. There are job placements available if you know where to look.
Where to Find Work
The first thing to do when searching for a job is to check with your local employment center. For those who are deaf and hard of hearing, or require other accommodations, employment centers take the stress out of job hunting. They will create tailored job searches to help you find accessible work that plays to your strengths. For example, the Minnesota Employment Center works closely with deaf and hard of hearing job searchers. They strive to find job placements for that match your skills and provide the required accommodations of hard of hearing workers.
Communicating at the Employment Center
If you’re stressed about visiting the employment center, don’t be. The occupational communications specialists at employment centers are highly trained, approachable people. They have extensive training in American Sign Language, and have a good understanding of deaf culture. They are also well versed in common causes of hearing loss, from noise induced hearing loss caused by unsafe workplaces to age related hearing loss that happens naturally. With this knowledge, they will make you feel supported and understood. Not only do the communications specialists understand what you’re going through, they’ve also received training in job development and job retention, so they can give you invaluable advice on how to grow with your job, and stick with it long term. Some centers even have counselors on site who are trained to work in deaf and hard of hearing communities.
Practical Help for Better Job Placement
Throughout the country, employment centers work closely with state departments. Through this partnership, employment centers are able to offer vocational evaluation to deaf and hard of hearing Americans looking to find fulfilling employment. Employment centers assess what skills you have, and recommend jobs that would fit your unique situation. Not only that, but many employment centers offer vocational training as well.
Employment centers are all about empowering people. They don’t just help you find a job, they teach you how to search for jobs, and show you how to put together a solid resume. They make contacts with employers, assist in setting trial periods at new jobs, and evaluate job placement success. Services are tailored to help clients find jobs, keep jobs, and enter the competitive job market. They offer counseling, training, computer literacy classes, education, and assistance with finding the right hearing aids or other assistive devices. These services are all offered with the aim of securing a great job placement that works for both employee and employer.
Advocacy
Career centers also play a huge role in advocating for the rights of those who are deaf or hard of hearing. They strive to break stereotypes and overcome discrimination in employment, education, and communication. They encourage employers and employment agencies to create inclusive work environments and hire dear and hard of hearing staff. They understand the obligations and rights of both the employee and the employer under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and work to make sure you and your employer know your rights.
Visit us at one of our My Hearing Centers locations to get fitted for hearing aids, then go to your local employment center to take the next step towards a great job!