Employment

Good Evening  

Can you remember your last job interview? I can certainly remember mines; I was very nervous about what they would ask, if they would like me and most important would I get the job. Well if you think interviews are hard for you think about not being able to communicate with your prospective employer in the conventional way. Most deaf people have a hard time gaining employment and getting through an interview once the employer discovers that they are deaf. Potential employers see hiring a deaf person as an unnecessary complication that they would rather do without even though the deaf person might be more than qualified for the job. 

 Deaf people do not want to be burdens on the state they want the opportunity to contribute to society and also to be able to provide for their families. It is important to change the misconceptions that employers have about deaf people as workers; they are just as competent, diligent and hard working as anyone else.

So what alternatives does a deaf person who can not find employment have? well sadly some have had to rely on the government for monthly disability grants, some end up doing menial jobs that they are over qualified for and others have started their own business. In December 2014 Enterprise Hub which is a private business support and training agency had a one day "introduction to business start up" workshop for deaf participants, their aim is to have a series of workshops that focus on different aspects of entrepreneurship and business administration. The initiative seems to be the first of its kind and imparted valuable knowledge to the participants most of whom already have their own small business or hope to start one in the future.

I think that private companies can use this as an example of how they to can get involved and give back to society and help others to improve their lives. The participants and creators of the initiative had an interview with the express check it out.