Deaf and hard of hearing people face discrimination in the job market

According to the results of an RNID survey issued today to mark the start of Deaf Awareness Week, only 63% of deaf and hard of hearing people of working age are in employment, compared to 75% of the national workforce. Thousands of deaf and hard of hearing people are still facing serious barriers to employment and RNID is urging employers to help combat discrimination and create more accessible workplaces.

RNID, the national charity representing the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people, claims that issues ranging from attitudes of potential employers to a basic lack of deaf awareness represent serious barriers for deaf and hard of hearing people seeking work. Over half (53%) of those surveyed cited "attitude of employers" as one of the main barriers preventing them from finding employment.

These barriers also severely restrict career prospects for those already in employment, creating artificial and unnecessary "glass ceilings". Over half (51%) of those within work felt they had been held back from promotion or developing their careers as a result of their deafness and 34% felt their job didn’t make full use of their qualifications.

Cheryl Cullen, director of ETSS at RNID, says: "Deaf and hard of hearing people represent a talented and skilled, but largely untapped, labour resource. Every deaf and hard of hearing person is capable of working with the right support. At a time of real skills shortages in key sectors of the economy, the country cannot afford to neglect the vast pool of talent represented by deaf and hard of hearing people."

Deaf and hard of hearing people represent a talented and skilled, but largely untapped, labour resource. Over half (55%) of respondents in work reported feeling isolated at work due to their deafness and a quarter (24%) found it difficult to communicate with their work colleagues. The vast majority (75%) felt that the situation would be improved if their employer provided deaf awareness training to their staff, yet two fifths (43%) of their employers did not provide any training.

Employers can make a profound difference by making simple changes and have a legal duty under the Disability Discrimination Act to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace and provide support. RNID is urging employers to make the simple but necessary adjustments in the way candidates are assessed and employees are treated to ensure an inclusive and effective working environment for all.

More information for employers is available from the RNID