We Are Deaf & We Work

“Where do you work?” “What do you do for a living?” In America, these are among the first questions a new acquaintance will ask us. This simple inquiry reflects the cultural emphasis placed on work and career choice in the modern world. But for many, this dreaded question serves as a reminder that even work is a privilege.

Here is a scenario of how discrimination can occur in the workplace for Deaf or hard of hearing individuals. What would you do in this situation?

https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Cd81DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=deaf+work+discrimination&ots=4n_Uym16DP&sig=HZbGUTaBzgdSj-3JlxwV699gFGI#v=onepage&q&f=false

From the journal article The Effect of education on the Occupational Status of Deaf and Hard of Hearing 26-to-64-Tear-Olds by Gerard G. Walter and Richard Dirmyer states, “Work plays an important part in defining one’s self-image and contributes to one’s sense of order and self. This is no less true of people who are deaf or hard of hearing.” Then the article goes on to compare early studies to later ones on the employment rate of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals all around the country. The most recent study was done in the early 1990s and that is when major change seemed to occur. Before this date, employment rates for Deaf and hearing individuals were about equal. In the 1990s, this number began to drop. The reason why is undetermined. The results in the article are as follows.  “Overall, during these five different years, only about 56% of individuals with severe hearing impairment between the ages 21 and 64 years reported being employed. By comparison, the rate for the general population was about 76% for the same five years.”

This video shows real life situations that happen daily for individuals with hearing impairment in the workplace. It also addresses steps that management and coworkers can take to make the whole team Deaf aware. 

Chapter 4 in Negotiation of Identities in Multilingual Contexts is written by Melissa James and Bencie Woll and it’s called Black Deaf or Deaf Black? Being Black and Deaf in Britain starting on page 125. In the Introduction, the authors state, “The Deaf community represents a most complex response to the threat of social isolation and the difficulties of communication that the Deaf person experiences in the wider community.” To me, this means Deaf people feel like an outcast, causing them to create their own community of clubs and friends that they can easily communicate with. However, out of this community, they are forced to interact and communicate with the majority of the hearing society. The authors also state, “Through interaction with other Deaf people, the individual is able to develop an awareness and acceptance of self. Through participation in the various organizations that make up the community, individuals are able to acquire a sense of self-esteem, which may be impossible to develop within the hearing world.” The sore thumb that sticks out to me here is the word “impossible.” The Deaf community views relationships with the rest of the hearing word as “impossible.” If this is the case, how are we going to expect them to fit into the professional world? Being employed is something that every human being needs in order to survive. Working is a necessary part of survival, no matter the persons abilities, race, or gender. I think as a society, we need to make it more accessible for Deaf individuals to feel accepted. It makes me feel guilty knowing that they feel like they can’t interact with the rest of the world. It just isn’t fair. What can we do to change this?

This Deaf girl got punched while working at Publix stocking shelves. Why you may ask? Because the customer thought she was being ignored when speaking towards the Deaf girls back. If that isn't discrimination, then I don’t know what is. People need to be aware. People need to support and encourage our Deaf neighbors. They are our friends and family. They are people just like us and deserve to be treated equally. Deaf individuals shouldn't have to fear uncomfortable experiences in the professional world because of uneducated and ignorant hearing people. Knowledge is power and our society is not informed. Kutos to Publix for hiring this Deaf individual and making her feel valued and appreciated as an employee. The news clip states that the girl communicates to customers and coworkers using a pen and paper most of the time. 

This is not okay. 

Here is a real word example of discrimination against deaf or hard of hearing individuals happening in the workplace. I created this scenario to show how often discrimination can happen. However, I believe employers should always do the right thing for the individual, no matter the cost. Sadly, this doesn't always happen. 

Deaf and Employable..... It’s a thing. 

I found this helpful link from ASHA including support services for adults with hearing loss. It explains the process of audiological rehabilitation and the areas that it covers. This article also provides people with hearing loss links to information about their accommodations by law and other support groups to get involved and meet other people with hearing loss. This is a good source for adults with hearing loss to reference if they are in need of valuable information about improving their quality of life with a hearing loss. 

I found this article astonishing. I can’t believe how many people experience discrimination or lack of support in their careers. Deaf people need to work too! Employers need to change these statistics and accommodations towards Deaf employees. Diversity should be encouraged in our country, instead of being treated differently for something these people can’t control. 

https://academic.oup.com/jdsde/article/12/4/504/393368