What are the best deaf friendly jobs?
Hard of hearing and deaf individuals work in a wide range of job roles and industries. With the right support and adjustments, there really are no limits.
Some types of jobs or workplace environments might be more challenging than others, and it's important to consider your own needs when it comes to choosing a suitable job.
There are a huge range of jobs which rely on written instructions and a limited amount of verbal communication or can easily be adjusted to do so.
Simple workplace modifications like having a brightly lit room or communicating via instant messaging instead of phone calls can make jobs more accessible.
When brainstorming which jobs are suitable for you, consider:
- What am I good at? What are my skills?
- What am I interested in?
- Will I need more training?
- What's the work environment like?
- What are my limitations?
- Are there any accommodations or technologies that can help me overcome obstacles to work?
Need some inspiration to get started? Below we take a look at five deaf-friendly jobs.
For more personal career guidance, get in touch with APM to get one-on-one support from a dedicated Employment Consultant.
1. Hospitality
If you like interacting with people from all walks of life, you might enjoy a role in hospitality. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can do any role in hospitality if the right communication methods are set up within the team.
From chefs to kitchen hands, barristers and waiters – there are many different roles within the hospitality sector requiring different levels of communication and interaction with the public.
Read about how APM helped Chanay find work she loves in a local coffee shop.
2. Social media management
Social media managers help manage a brand's online presence. As a highly visual field, you can utilise your skills to create engaging content and help grow a brand. A social media manager can work for one particular business or offer their services to several businesses as a freelancer.
Good writing skills are important, but hearing is not a big factor unless audio is an important part of the brand's content. In this case, assistive technologies like real time captioning and assistive listening devices (ALDs) can help.
3. Social worker or counsellor
If you are looking for a job where you can help others, consider caring roles like social work, counselling and child care. There is a growing demand for these types of support services for people in the deaf community.
As a person living with hearing loss or impairment yourself, you can use your own experiences to approach such roles with empathy and understanding. Having sign language skills may put you at an advantage for particular roles.
4. Bookkeeping and accounting
If you've got a head for numbers, there are many roles in the business and finance sector which involve a lot of visual based tasks (looking at spreadsheets, analysing data, creating invoices etc.).
Many roles, such as bookkeeping, accounting and business administration, require minimal verbal interaction. Assistive technologies and adaptations to job tasks can be used to help manage things like meetings and phone calls.
5. Design and photography
Careers in the arts like graphic design and photography are highly visual roles that are used in almost every industry.
Whether you'd prefer working for a company as their in-house designer or working for yourself as a freelancer, there are many opportunities for Deaf people in the arts.
As more and more businesses operate online these days, there is a growing demand for digital content such as photos, videos and graphics.
Discover job opportunities with an APM Employment Consultant
The job search can take a long time and it's natural to feel frustrated if you are overlooked by employers. For helpful tips about searching for work, check out our guide on how to find a job with a complete or partial hearing impairment.
If you're having trouble finding work, APM is here to help.
We've seen how having a job can change a life for the better and we believe everyone has the right to experience the benefits of working in a safe and accessible workplace.
You could be eligible for Disability Employment Services, a government funded program which supports people with injury, illness or disability to find a job and thrive in their new role.
An APM Employment Consultant can help you with everything from brainstorming career opportunities to finding job listings, writing job applications, preparing for job interviews and accessing workplace support to help you thrive in your new job.