Jobs for the deaf

Flux_capacitor_2

Probably posted in the wrong place - so apologies in advance.

I just wondered if anyone knew of a suitable job that a deaf person can do - i.e a job that requires no hearing. For example a taxi driver would be no good because you need to hear where the customer wants to go. Postman would be suitable. What about any others. Any advice appreciated.

LilacPixie

I would guess that it would all depend on level of deafness and what if any other disabilities the applicant has.

a Job in a call centre answering emails would be fine if the applicant is deaf but not if he/she is also blind KWIM

Why is it you want to know??

Flux_capacitor_2

I wanted to know because I am deaf. No other disabilities - fit and healthy otherwise. I currently work in IT but just what other things I could do if the worst happened.

MrsTinks

Have a read here Looks like there is a fair bit of help for people with hearing loss to retrain, find jobs, etc

hypno06

My sister is completely deaf, and has been since birth, so poor speech too, and for years has worked for Parcel force doing data processing - they pay her excellent productivity bonuses, because she doesn't get "caught up" in all the chit chat that goes on around her, therefore she just bashes through everything at twice the speed of everyone else!!

Royal Mail/Parcelforce, have always been pretty good to her, and she has never had a problem with her deafness - they even transferred her onto the customer service desk for a while, gave her a sign that said "Please speak clearly I am deaf" and she had a face to face job to cover someone's maternity leave.

Flux_capacitor_2

Thanks for your input guys. I have what is known as post-lingual deafness which means my speech is totally unaffected. I know exactly what you mean hypno regarding productivity - deaf people cannot make idle chat and gossip. We miss so much of the banter, but on the other hand are great at getting on with the job. It's also good for 'switching off' when the other half is nagging too.

tyllwyd

I guess you are aware of the disability discrimination legislation - you have got rights to ask employers to make reasonable adjustments.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001068

Flux_capacitor_2

Yes, know about the DDA thanks. I have applied for jobs before though and once they find out you are deaf they find some other reason that you will not fit in. Obviously they will not admit the deafness is the reason - and it very well may not be the reason, but I have seen this type of situation many times and it's bringing out the cynic in me.

dotstar24

Hi

I worked for an engineering firm where the financial controller was deaf, he could lip read really well and had a text phone for phone calls. one of the engineers was also completely deaf. they never let it hold them back.

ships-cat

Flux,

Are you looking for another full time role or a "just in case" option? I also work in IT and one of our Project Managers is Blind - doesn't hamper him one bit.

I also do MLM part time to raise a bit of extra cash to pay the debts and know of at least one blind and one deaf distributor - hasn't stopped them either doing very well.

What kind of work are you looking for?

Flux_capacitor_2

I am always looking to better myself if I can but mostly it's a 'just in case' scenario. I can lip read very well - lots of people who meet me for the first time don't even know I am deaf. I can use typetalk and have a typetalk enabled mobile but find it a little 'unwieldy'. What is MLM?