Deaf and Hard of Hearing Career Resources

Not all those who having hearing difficulties are Deaf. This website, from DeafTec, offers definitions. Those who have little to no functional hearing are referred to as Deaf, and those with mild hearing loss are referred to as hard of hearing.

Deaf people in the United States typically communicate through American Sign Language, and those who are hard of hearing may use spoken language or American Sign Language. This webpage from Life Print shares 100 basic words, sample sentences and videos to learn American Sign Language.

A wonderful free sign language course. The course will teach you how to sign comfortably and correctly in true American Sign Language (ASL).

The Hearing Loss Association of America has resources tailored to Deaf and hard of hearing people who are searching for work. Information includes job search websites, information on hearing loss disclosure, an employment toolkit and success stories.

This article from popular Deaf blog The Limping Chicken is an interview with Kelly Dougher, who has stopped disclosing the fact that she is Deaf in job interviews.

The interview explains why Dougher made this decision and how it has impacted her job search.

The jobs in this guide cover a range of career opportunities for a range of disabilities. It contains plenty of job ideas, median salary information and cool tips on how to get that job when you find it.

This article from U.K. newspaper The Guardian shares one person’s experience of what it is like to work in an office as a Deaf person. Some issues include the ability to communicate and difficulty in following conversations.

In this article, you’ll find information on how to prepare for a job search as a Deaf or hard of hearing person, different jobs that are available to you, how to prepare your employer for working with a Deaf person, and more.

In this article from Deaf Unity, you'll find the experience of a Deaf office worker and how they navigated their work environment. The article calls for an increase in accommodations and awareness for the Deaf community and gives a snapshot of a day in the life of a Deaf person.

Deaf people have the same rights and abilities as anyone else in today’s workforce. This list shares some of the personal insights of Deaf people and what they want you to know about working with them, including asking people where they would like to sit in the office, help them share their opinions in meetings, and helping them find good lighting environments for lip reading.

The Huffington Post shares a list of six reasons to hire people in the Deaf community. Reasons include their adaptability and their unique perspective.

There are many benefits to working with and hiring people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

This article, from EHS Today, an occupational health and safety magazine, shares some of the positives of working with people in the hearing loss community, such as employee engagement and a diverse work environment.

One company featured – Stratus Video – had programs in place for their hearing employees to be able to communicate better with their Deaf employees, such as American Sign Language trainers and video phones and computer software.

Deaf Job Wizard is a job search website geared toward those with hearing loss and for hearing people who want to work with the Deaf community. People can search for jobs by location of keyword.

In this list from trade-schools.net, more than 30 jobs for people with disabilities are listed as possible career paths. Options include the performing arts, carpentry and science-related employment.

If you're interested in working as a Deaf or hard of hearing person in the U.S. government, this website will help you apply for a job and understand possible accommodations, including a list of American Sign Language videos by government agencies.

The form used by Deaf and hard of hearing people to apply for work is called Schedule A, and this website explains that form.

The Deaf to Work job board is a jobs website specifically geared toward people with hearing-related disabilities. Interested job seekers can search by location or keyword, or peruse a list of many possible jobs, such as an accountant, security guard or marketing manager.

An information page from The Best Schools website, here you’ll find a list of career paths for those who are hearing themselves who want to work with those who are affected by hearing loss. Possible occupations include audiologist, social worker or employment counselor.

At this All Deaf webpage, with hearing loss explain the types of jobs that they have, and occupations that might be suitable for a person who is Deaf or hard of hearing.

Some of the jobs included are working at home options, working with people with other types of disabilities who may be more receptive to those with hearing loss and multimedia opportunities.

Reddit is a source for many people to find information on different jobs and experiences. Here, those who are Deaf or hard of hearing share the jobs that they have and offer ideas on what might be a suitable job for a person who is hard of hearing.

This 1990 piece of legislation protects people with all types of disabilities. In this website from the ADA National Network, you’ll find a basic overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, and learn how it impacts you.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that any federal agency or job be able to provide accommodations to anyone with any type of disability.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, is the organization you should go to if you feel you're being discriminated against. The EEOC offers resources on types of disability discrimination as well as how to file a claim if you've faced discrimination because of a disability.

If you're concerned that you may be facing discrimination because of your hearing disability, this website is one you want to consider.

The webpage from the National Association of the Deaf outlines possible discrimination scenarios as well as what is considering a “reasonable” accommodation in the workplace or at school for those with hearing difficulties.

In existence for 37 years, the National Council on Independent Living works to help those with disabilities. They have a page of resources for the Deaf, including job listings and articles.

Disability advocacy website Think Beyond the Label has a feature called Hire Gauge, which helps explain the financial benefits of hiring Deaf or hard of hearing employees to prospective employers. Benefits include possible tax credits and other financial incentives.

A fact sheet from Accredited Language, this webpage makes it clear when providing an interpreter in the workplace is required by law.

Interpreters are required in places such as hospitals, schools, law enforcement and other agencies. The interpretation requirements run through each organization.

For example, hospitals are required to have interpreters available in reception, the emergency room, the gift shop and throughout the hospital, if needed.

In partnership with five different deaf charities, a study was conducted to learn more about Deaf experiences in the workplace. The study found that one in four people, or 25 percent, have quit their jobs due to Deaf or hard of hearing discrimination.

Deaf Social Network, a page for Deaf resources and community on Facebook, has more than 10,000 members.

This Facebook page is a place for Deaf and hard of hearing people to share stories with one another.

This Facebook page is a social media webpage for former students of the Illinois School for the Deaf.

At Deaf World, you can learn how Deaf and Hard of Hearing people use social media and how it impacts their lives.

Deaf Read is a blog that shares information important to the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Blog posts include experiences about going to a Deaf school, closed captioning resources at the movies, and more.

This blog has current events information for the Deaf and more than 1,000 subscribers.

A blog that calls itself “the world’s most popular Deaf blog,” and shares day-in-the-life experiences from people in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities.

Hearing Aid Know shares of list of blogs they love that pertain to people in the Deaf and hard of hearing world.

Deafie Blogger shares the “barriers, achievements and day to day struggles” of living life as a Deaf person.

Deaf Expressions bills itself as the “inner workings of a Deaf person’s mind” and shares resources pertinent to both the Deaf and hearing communities.

Some recent blog posts include information on how to start using sign language with your baby and concerns about offending a person in the Deaf community.

The World Federation of the Deaf promotes “equality through sign language” and says that they reach 70 million people across the globe.

Resources on their website include events such as an annual World Federation of the Deaf conference, worldwide inclusion programs, videos and research papers.

Hearing Like Me is a blog that shares stories of people living their everyday lives as part of the Deaf or hard of hearing community.

Some recent stories included an interview with a Deaf model for a Starbucks advertisement, a day in the life experience of being part of the “Here to Hear” tour, tips on navigating university life as a Deaf person and an article on teaching Uber drivers sign language.

Deaf Awareness Month, held annually each September, is a time dedicated to raising awareness of and resources for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities.

This webpage from the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing shares some resources that people can use during Deaf Awareness Month, including education, technology and family support resources.

The website also lists ideas for each week of Deaf Awareness Month.