DEAFinitely working for you: An employers guide to hiring Deaf staff.
Deaf people work in a wide variety of roles from technicians to teachers, bricklayers to bus drivers, customer service to management. Deaf are skilled, hardworking and responsible workers and are rated highly by employers in areas including OSH, reliability, concentration and productivity.
Some think that communication can be a barrier for Deaf in the workplace, however with the rapid development of technology this can be overcome by solutions that are easy to implement in any work environment.
Simple discussion and an open mind is all that is needed to encourage a Deaf person to contribute to the same high standard as their hearing colleagues.
Employing Deaf people: Deaf people have the same potential and ability as hearing people and are skilled, hardworking and responsible employees.
Deaf people are rated highly by employers in areas including Occupational Safety & Health, reliability, diligence, sense of humour, ability to concentrate and productivity.
Most specialised equipment can be arranged at minimal or no cost to an employer by accessing Support Funds. As an employer you may be eligible to receive a subsidy to assist with the cost of training and accommodating a Deaf person in the workplace. The Employment Consultant at your local Deaf Aotearoa branch can discuss this with you and provide you with information about the various options available.
Interviewing Deaf candidates: When you invite a Deaf candidate to a job interview, a NZ Sign Language Interpreter should be arranged to ensure the Deaf person has the best possible chance of securing the position. The candidate or Employment Consultant can arrange this through the Deaf Aotearoa Interpreter Booking Service.
Training a Deaf employee: It is recommended that you have a NZ Sign Language Interpreter present during the employee induction process, ongoing training, staff meetings, performance appraisals or any time that you or your Deaf employee feels necessary. The cost of the interpreter can be met by the employee's Support Funds.
To book an interpreter, phone 09 828 3282 or check us at www.deaf.co.nz
In the workplace: Here are some useful recommendations to ease any concerns, answer some usual questions, overcome misconceptions and assist employers and Deaf employees to communicate and work together successfully.
Instructions on the job: Some industries have specific words or terminology that are used in their workplace. These words may be new to the Deaf person and there is a possibility that there are no signs for those words. The Deaf person may develop new signs to enable effective communication with co-workers and employers about every aspect of the job.
It is helpful to create a list of frequently used words so that the Deaf person can become familiar with them; if possible break it down into plain English and allow the Deaf person to develop their own workplace vocabulary.
For any work environment there is a range of technology to assist with communication.
Operating machinery, driving: Operating machinery should not present any problems as a Deaf person's visual awareness and sensitivity to movement and vibrations is the same or better than a hearing person. If there is a mechanical fault with a machine, the Deaf person will usually be aware of this and will notify their colleagues. A Deaf person is able to drive and operate any sort of vehicle.
Health and safety: Health and safety procedures should be explained as part of the standard employee induction process. This needs to be clearly understood by the Deaf person and it is recommended that a NZ Sign Language Interpreter is present throughout the induction process.
Fire alarms and other emergencies: A simple solution is to nominate a 'buddy' to be responsible for alerting Deaf people in an emergency. A vibrating pager can be worn by Deaf people to alert them of an emergency such as a fire.
In additional to the audible alarm, flashing lights that trigger when the alarm goes off can be installed. The lights are connected to the alarm system and are stationed to be visible from all parts of the building.
It is important to check with the Deaf person to ensure that these practical arrangements are working. They may have their own ideas and be able to suggest a simple solution to problems that may arise.
A DVD is also available with case study interviews of both employers and Deaf employees. These provide personal testaments and give an insight into successful working relationships. Please contact us for your free copy of the DVD and booklet.
