Blog Archive

Deaf can communicate with their colleagues thru many ways:

• writing on paper
• by emails for greater clarity on work instructions
• By sign language.  We know of hearing colleagues who take up sign language classes to better communicate with their deaf or hard-of-hearing colleagues
• In meetings, the deaf can have a close buddy at work to assist in taking/typing notes so that Deaf is kept aware of the discussions. The Deaf can then “voice out” their professional opinions and thus be able to contribute their work ideas in the meetings.

Some of the suggestions to employers on employing the Deaf:

• There are varying levels of hearing ability among the deaf and best to check with them if they understood what was said by writing down.
• Do check in with them personally after getting emails or messages which may appear rude or blunt. In fact, we encourage employers/colleagues to be just as direct with them. Ask them: “Are you ok?” “Any problem?” “All good?” Learn to also speak their language and invite them to teach you certain simple phrases which will enable you to check in with them on their understanding or yours.
• Because of the language barriers, it is important to repeat instructions or have the deaf employee repeat back or demonstrate that he or she understood what the task or job to do.
• Where possible, use video tutorials or work demonstrations with subtitles, for job training
• Engage a sign language interpreter for certain specific job training where you recognise that hearing colleagues would have problems in communication.

• Unawareness of Deaf Culture due to lack of interaction with deaf staff & unable to empathize with deaf individuals
• “Conflict” between top & middle managements / supervisors leading to “unfair” job allocations / arrangements for the Deaf employee

It is tough for the Deaf and hard-of hearing, or for that matter, anyone with some form of disability, to compete with the hearing peers of similiar qualifications. The one major hurdle for the Deaf is Communication which may be an important part of job roles and responsibilities in many industries, whether with colleagues or customers or suppliers. It take a lot more understanding from the employers to be willing to adjust the job requirements and enable the deaf individual to engage in alternative ways of communicating with customers or suppliers such as:

• Communicate via email
• Sms mesaages instead of phone calls
• Skype messages

For example, sending an email to suppliers to inform of any billing amendments that may be needed to be done is an alternative way to communicate other than calling up the supplier direct. It may not necessarily mean that a longer time is needed to get this billing error rectified via email. In fact, on the contrary, such email correspondence would be a good record to show billing or any other errors had been duly followed up with.

Since we soft piloted our job support with job matching in January 2017, it’s heartening to share that through our contacts with prospective employers; many are receptive and willing to offer equal job opportunity to our Deaf & Hard-of-hearing community. We are also collaborating with prospective employers to conduct workshops on understanding deafness and improving communication in the workplace with the deaf.

Despite their hearing loss, Deaf individuals (just like anyone of us) are able to take on any job, except those which require them to handle phone calls. Hence, there is no specific job or industry that the Deaf can work in. The Deaf & Hard-of-hearing individuals have been employed in a diverse range of jobs such as admin, creative (design, media etc), accounting, engineering, IT etc. They are able to take on any job based on their education level or work experience, except those which require them to handle phone call.

Some of these successful deaf individuals include:
*Deaf doctor – Mr Joseph Heng (featured in TODAY newspaper – 1 March 2017)
*Mr Teo Bee Chuan – Visual Merchandising Artiste (featured in Mediacorp Channel 8 “Frontline” Programme)
*Dr Azariah Tan – Deaf pianist (featured in the Straits Times – 16 Oct 2016)
*Ms Lisa Loh – Accounts Administrator Assistant (Shared via SADeaf’s Facebook)
*Philip Choy – Systems Administrator ( Shared via SADeaf’s Facebook)

Deaf individuals do face difficulties in getting a gainful employment compared with their hearing counterparts with same/similar qualifications and/or experience. Possible reasons include the lack of understanding and experience of the hearing employers on how to engage and communicate with Deaf staff.