Summary: Deaf and Employment

Over the last month and a half, I published a 6 part series focusing on my experience with employment. Many had asked me to share these experiences, such as what it is like to go on interviews or what it is like to work in a hearing dominated environment. I was asked to share this a few years ago. Why did it take so long for me to share? I had a lot of hesitancy to publish any of those posts. I felt like each post was so negative. I’m not typically the kind of person to be excessive and pessimistic.

So why did I decide to do it? I felt that it was important to share these experiences from the perspective of a Deaf person. It is such a challenging task for any Deaf person to seek or obtain employment. My experiences are my own, but it is similar to so many other Deaf people’s experiences. We are often faced with rejection and discrimination. Deaf people are hesitant to share with the employer about the deafness prior to interviews because of the fears they have. I shared this hesitance in Part 2 of the series. My Deaf friends have shared that their interviews sometimes were suddenly cancelled when an interpreter was requested. They were told that the job had been filled. The attitude of the employer often drives away the Deaf candidates. When the companies are wary of hiring a Deaf candidate, it’s because they assume that the Deaf candidate will be a burden with their accommodations and the costs of it. Even if the Deaf candidate got hired, some still face hostility from coworkers.

One main issue that I faced from a few of my jobs was that I couldn’t climb up the ladder as a Deaf person. I felt stuck. I’m a dedicated worker who has the loyalty to stay as long as possible. It was difficult for me to leave each job because I felt like I failed. I know what I am capable of doing and that I deserve to considered for internal growth. When I don’t have the ability to grow in a role, it affects my self esteem.

Seeking employment affects my self esteem! Working in my employment affects my self esteem! Why am I never good enough? This is what I often feel. I attended a prestigious college and received a bachelor’s degree. How do you think it makes me feel when Kohl’s thought I was only capable of unloading the truck for 4 hours a week? Do you know how much work I put into RIT earning the bachelor’s degree? It bothered me so much upon my graduation from RIT, to see my fellow classmates succeeding in the criminal justice field. I invested so much of my time at RIT in the classes, being the Vice President of my criminal justice club, attending informal meetings and much more. My bachelor’s degree in criminal justice DIDN’T MATTER. It was hard for me to be working in jobs where a college degree wasn’t even required. I felt like I put in all of that effort at RIT, only to have this as my reward? Why can’t anyone see what I’m capable of?

My deafness has nothing to do with the job, it’s just a part of me. It’s part of me just like a pair of glasses or hearing aids is to you. I’m always working extra to prove myself to everyone, trying to educate, and helping to ease the fears with communication barriers. This puts more pressure on me to accomplish the best. I know what I am capable of. When I am given a task, I am very dedicated to get it completed. I am very loyal. I accept feedback and work even harder. I hope that someday someone sees my full potential!

My goal from sharing the 6 parts series is to EDUCATE. I hope that if you are someone in that kind of position with the authority to hire, to meet everyone with an open mind. Do not assume what they are capable of. Let them tell you about themselves and their abilities. I believe that everyone at some point has been judged by others, right? It sure isn’t a great feeling so don’t do that to us! Also it will be worthwhile to be that person to help a Deaf person grow by offering opportunities or creating a chapter for them in their lives. Don’t you want to be remembered as that person who helped?

Part 1: The employment challenges of the Deaf.

Part 2: The search in CT.

Part 3: American School for the Deaf.

Part 4: TSA.

Part 5: The continued search.

Part 6: My journey as a Deaf Paraprofessional.

All opinion in this blog are my own. It does not reflect the opinions of other Deaf members.