Deaf Person And Job Opportunity

[Oakleaf51]

My friend is completely deaf, and is stuck in a dead end job with low pay. Doesn't have much qualifications but is good with I.T. and mechanical things and D.I.Y. - write after all sorts of jobs but gets refused once they know he is deaf. Training is only for unemployed so he cannot get that either as it means leaving his job. Is there any organisation or charity that could help him? Or advise him? Or any government department?

[carrot99]

www.direct.gov.uk have a list of useful organisations that may be able to help your friend, In the search box on the site type in Specific Needs Contacts, Choose Deaf or Hearing Impaired and it will bring up the list of organisations.

Good luck to your friend, i hope this helps.

[bednobs]

has he ever considerd that he gets turned down because he is not right for the job or dosent have the right quals or experience rather than because he is deaf? in that respect he is no different from other people in low paid jobs that want to better themselves. do the employers ever say it's because he is deaf he gets turned down? because that is illegal. Maybe he shuld try the nhs/ local goverment for job applications cause they have large workforces nd are more used to dealing with disabilities than smaller comps so are not so fazed by them

[carrot99]

if he is on a low wage he should check that he is getting any benefits that he is entitled to receive.

[Angiepandy]

Has your friend considered working with a Deaf organisation? The RNID, RAD, NDCS or BDA might be a good place to start. What about doing evening classes at a local college? He would probably need to request the support of a Communication Support Worker (CSW) who can make a huge difference, regardless of whether he uses sign language or not.