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Deaf Employees: Navigating Access to Work Support Navigating the workplace can be a complex feat, requiring adaptations and special considerations which are recognised as "reasonable adjustments." For the deaf community, these adaptations are not luxuries but necessities that enable opportunity and fairness in the work setting. The nuances of these adjustments shape the very foundation of accessible employment. As we delve into the intricacies of Access to Work funding, discover the life-changing potential of technology and support mechanisms like Video Relay Services, and the profound impact of reasonable adjustments, this article not only acts as a guide but as an insight into the workplace revolution for deaf people. Overview of Access to Work Scheme Access to Work (ATW) is a government-funded employment support programme in the UK, created to assist disabled people and anyone with long-term health conditions at work. The government service, which aims to reduce barriers to employment, supports employees aged 16 and above in different employment scenarios—be it paid jobs, self-employment, or paid apprenticeships. It includes funding for additional costs that go above and bey... #accesstowork #accessibilitysoftware #auditoryimpairments #dwp #grants #hardofhearing

Over 10 million deaf individuals in our country - a staggering statistic that often falls outside the mainstream discourse. As one of the founding members of The Association of Deaf and Aphasic, I've made it my mission to change that. Since launching our NGO in 2020, we've collaborated with organizations like Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and UNESCO to provide life-changing opportunities for over 70 deaf children. Through co-curricular activities and skills training, we've witnessed the incredible potential of these remarkable young people. Now, I'm embarking on a new chapter of this cause - opening the first specialized school for deaf children in J&K. Last week, I had the privilege of presenting this crucial initiative to the Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Sh. Manoj Sinha, who was deeply appreciative and has promised to provide the necessary support. While government grants are the ideal sustainable funding source, the process can be long and arduous. That's why I'm reaching out to my network for immediate support - whether through funding, or connections to potential partners. If you are a CSR leader, educational activist, or influential voice in the education sector, I request you to connect with me. Let's work together to make this school a reality and unlock the boundless potential of these deserving children. And to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leaders seeking exceptional talent, I have a database of 20 bright deaf individuals currently in talks with Uber. I'm the right person to facilitate these valuable connections - let's create meaningful employment opportunities together. Community support and self-reliance have been essential in driving meaningful change. With your help, we can create a brighter future for deaf children of our country. Together, let's redefine the narrative and ensure no child is left behind. #InclusiveEducation #DeafAwareness #EmploymentOpportunities #CommunityImpact #DiversityHiring #EquityandInclusion #DisabilityInclusion

Deafblind UK is proud to announce its highly anticipated 2024 conference, ‘Standing Out and Fitting In’, set to take place online on the 3 October 2024.     This free, pivotal event will bring together individuals, professionals, and organisations dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for deafblind people. The conference will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including a keynote from politician and supporter, Lord David Blunkett, and a session from HSBC Accessibility.     As the number of people living with deafblindness continues to rise, bringing awareness to their unique experiences and the societal barriers they encounter is both critical and timely. ‘Standing Out and Fitting In’ will offer a platform for enlightening discussions on the importance of community, accessibility, and the right for every individual to participate fully in society. Attendees can expect engaging talks, discussions, and networking opportunities that will highlight best practices and innovative strategies.    Lord David Blunkett will open the conference with a keynote address. His experiences both personally and politically provide a unique perspective on the societal changes required to create inclusive environments for individuals with dual sensory loss. Senior Accessibility Manager of HSBC, Chris Bailey’s participation further underscores the event's focus on collaboration between the public, private, and voluntary sectors to cultivate an understanding of best practices for inclusion in various settings.     Also speaking at the conference are Creator of Mixmups, Rebecca Atkinson, who will be talking about her story of combining the journey of sight and hearing loss with a successful career in children’s media, and Mirko Bauer, President of Deafblind International, who will be introducing Deafblind International’s Global Education Campaign.     As part of its mission to amplify the voices of the deafblind community, Deafblind UK encourages individuals affected by deafblindness, family members, professionals, and anyone interested in disability advocacy to attend this virtual event. Attendance is free, and registration is now open via https://lnkd.in/eGvThzgx

🙏🏻 Grateful 🙏🏻 Thank you to Lucy Ruck at Business Disability Forum for inviting me to present at the NHS Network earlier on in the year. Such great questions and engagement during the session and excellent to see so see the actions that many Trusts are taking to create inclusive health experiences for deaf people. "Thank you for very interesting and informative session :)" "Thank you this was a great session :)" "Thank you Victoria and BDF" "Thank you so much to Victoria, Karan and Lucy for putting this together. Thoroughly enjoyed today's session, learned a lot of new things around D/deaf awareness." Here are some key takeaways: ⭐Hospital waiting rooms: deaf patients names are called out, and are missed. Concerned about even going to the toilet, as don't want to miss the appointment. This happens all too often and the deaf patient and they are marked as a no show ⭐ Getting clear on when VRS and face to face interpreting services are most suited ⭐ The importance of face to face interpreting for sharing bad news ⭐ Need to consider Deaf patients who are also neuro-divergent ⭐ Ensuring understanding to gain consent from deaf patients ⭐ Working with Qualified BSL interpreters and not relying on family members to facilitate communication, as family are unable to remain impartial ⭐ Sensory signs can be placed at the patient's bedside "I am a deaf BSL user" or "I am hard of hearing" to inform hospital staff Take a look at the work we have done with Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.

Despite strides in education, the transition to employment remains a daunting hurdle for many young deaf individuals. Shockingly, they're twice as likely to be unemployed compared to their hearing peers. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for equitable recruitment practices, support systems, and workplace adjustments. Read this insightful blog by Louise Stephens-Saunders highlighting these barriers, and how we can recommit to changing mindsets and contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Explore our latest data report to gain insights into the challenges faced by deaf college students when accessing accommodations on campus. Access the newsfeed here: https://lnkd.in/gdVRQAp7. [Video Descriptions: In the background, the color is light grey. There is an Ethiopian woman wearing a dark green top and a black hair scarf standing in front of you. She starts signing in American Sign Language. Transcript: "Hey! Are you curious about the experiences of deaf students in higher education? Well, we’ve got some findings to share with you! During 2022-2023, NDC conducted a survey of deaf students attending colleges and universities across the nation, and the results are in! Did you know that deaf students are incredibly diverse? Many have additional disabilities, and the number of deaf students of color is steadily increasing. While many colleges and universities are providing accommodations for these students, our report reveals a rating that deserves your attention, indicating that there is significant room for improvement in access and inclusion on campuses. Here are some quotes from students regarding their experience with access and inclusion at their colleges: 1. “I feel isolated as a deaf person of color on campus.” 2. “My first week, I had no accommodations.” 3. “At this point, I’ve decided to stop talking to disability services because their answer is always no.” Curious to know what the numbers and other interesting findings are? Check out our newsfeed to learn more about them and explore ways on how instituions can consistently improve access and inclusion for deaf students in higher education. To read, type https://lnkd.in/eEp_aEUH. Scroll, then click here!" End of Video Descriptions.] #Deaf #HardOfHearing #HearingLoss #ASL #AmericanSignLanguage #SignLanguage #Deafverse #ChooseYourFuture #NationalDeafCenter #DeafCommunity #DeafYouth #DeafTeens #NADYouth

Promoting inclusivity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students is crucial for creating an environment where everyone can thrive. Niki INC's Unpacking Hearing Privilege Online Course seems like a promising initiative to foster understanding and dismantle barriers. To truly embrace inclusivity, universities should consider incorporating such courses into their curriculum or offering them as optional resources for faculty and staff. By educating individuals on their privilege and biases surrounding hearing, communication barriers can be addressed more effectively. If you're interested in enhancing inclusivity within your educational institution, reaching out to Niki INC at info@niki.llc for more information on their course could be a proactive step. By taking action to ignite change, universities can create a more welcoming and accessible environment for all students.

Despite strides in education, the transition to employment remains a daunting hurdle for many young deaf individuals. Shockingly, they're twice as likely to be unemployed compared to their hearing peers. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for equitable recruitment practices, support systems, and workplace adjustments. Read this insightful blog by Louise Stephens-Saunders highlighting these barriers, and how we can recommit to changing mindsets and contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Three weeks into my new job and it was time to do some proper user research! It's important for me to see how we make a difference first-hand so yesterday I went to visit an 'RNID Near You’ location on the edges of Dartmoor. RNID Near You volunteers help us provide free, in-person drop-in sessions for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, or want to get their hearing checked. It's an amazing service. Last year alone these incredible volunteers gave over 7,500 hours of their time to run these support sessions. They helped more than 25,000 people by maintaining or cleaning hearing aids and advising on how to access audiology services. We are in the process of rolling-out iPads across all of our RNID Near You services so that our volunteers can help people carry out our online Hearing Check. Doing this user research for me was invaluable, especially since our Hearing Check has already tested the hearing of more than........... 💥 360,000 people 💥 A staggeringly amazing number! For me it was invaluable to hear from our volunteers and witness them talking and helping people who were worried about their hearing. A great free to use service for everyone. You can find your nearest one here - https://lnkd.in/d6qkf9sG 🧏 🔉 🦻 🙇 #tinnitusweek #userresearch #deafawareness #volunteers #hearingloss 

Marginalization is real. Marginalization is a process through which certain groups of people are pushed to the edges of society, often resulting in reduced access to resources, opportunities, and social inclusion. This is particularly true in K-12 education in NC when it involves Deaf individuals. Coming to North Carolina, I was hopeful about integrating into the community and finding my place in the workforce – particularly in Charlotte, where opportunities continue to be plentiful and thriving. Armed with a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and a doctorate in education, along with 30 years of experience in Deaf education—as a teacher, senior administrator, and Chief Executive Officer—I believed my qualifications would afford me ample opportunities. Additionally, I founded my own business, DeafEd Dynamics, which is dedicated to empowering Deaf Education in public schools. However, what I countered was a pervasive environment of marginalization that was both surprising and disheartening. In my previous states of residence, I found robust Deaf communities and accessible resources that embraced and celebrated our differences. However, I faced systematic barriers in North Carolina that significantly impacted my professional journey and social integration. One glaring aspect of this marginalization is the complete absence of Deaf leaders in K-12 education throughout the state. Despite my extensive qualifications and experience, I am among the few Deaf professionals in leadership roles. That lack of representation reinforces a significant gap in advocacy, understanding, and support for Deaf students in North Carolina’s educational system. Unfortunately... Only about 38% of Deaf and hard-of-hearing students graduate from high school with a regular diploma compared to 80% of hearing students -- leaving many without skills needed for further education or employment. Approximately 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents, and many do not receive adequate early language exposure. This can lead to significant delays in language acquisition, affecting their academic performance. Only 34% of Deaf students enroll in post-secondary education programs, compared to the national average of 70% for hearing students, limiting their career opportunities and earning potential. Deaf adults face a staggering unemployment rate of 70%, often linked to inadequate education and job training tailored to their unique needs. By acknowledging these disparities and advocating for meaningful change through initiatives like DeafEd Dynamics, we can foster an environment where the Deaf community is valued and included. As we reflect on National Disability Employment Month, I hope that by sharing my story, I can contribute to a dialogue that leads to greater awareness, understanding, and action in the fight against marginalization for Deaf individuals in North Carolina and beyond.