Getting it right for Deaf customers

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1 Getting it right for Deaf customers Bob Marsh UK Business Development Manager Deaf Awareness Trainer Clarion UK

2 Aims of the Masterclass To develop an appropriate level of awareness so that Prime Providers can include an accessible and effective specialist employability support service within their supply chain to customers who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Thus contributing to the Government s aim to halving the Disability Gap

3 Current and future statistics (Action on Hearing Loss, (2015), Hearing Matters)

4 More on statistics 5.2million aged (working age) 42% hearing impaired are in employment 900,000 severely or profoundly Deaf 500,000 cannot hear well enough to use a telephone 24,000 use British Sign Language (BSL) 250,000 Deafblind people 400,000 rely on lipreading Fact: lipreading is 70% guesswork! (source: Hearing Matters, Arrowsmith, L (2014), Hidden Disadvantage, Action on Hearing Loss, Sense, Census 2011)

5 Research statement Evidence suggests that Deaf people do not feel it is their deafness that prevents them from working rather it is the lack of understanding and awareness on the part of others as to what Deaf people can do. As a result there is a lack of expectation from employers and Deaf people alike. (Action on Hearing Loss, (2012)

6 Sign language community BSL users do not have a disability, they belong to a cultural social linguistic minority

7 Terminology Which terms are appropriate? Deaf and Dumb Deafened Deaf The Deaf Deaf Mute Deaf as a Post Deafblind Hard of Hearing Hearing Negative

8 Deaf? How can you tell? (Deafness is Invisible) They don t respond or notice when you try to talk to them. Their voice and speech may sound strange. They study your mouth whilst you talk to them. They wear hearing aids. They visibly strain to hear you. They use sign language. They tell you. Remember all deaf people are different!

9 Getting it right for Deaf customers First appointments - PRaP referral paperwork don t always contain details of a customer s hearing impairment Don t always assume that Deaf customers can lipread BSL may be their first language. Remember lipreading is 70% guesswork! Don t always assume that Deaf customers can communicate by pen and paper English may not be their first language. Do consider specialist support for the Deaf customer whether BSL communication or employability support

10 Key employment challenges Deaf people are four times more likely to be unemployed compared to those with no long term health condition or disability. Lack of skills and qualifications Employer attitude is the main barrier Demographics of 10 regions - London has the highest Deaf population (2011 Census England and Wales) Employer s lack of confidence to employ a person with a hearing impairment Employers lack of awareness of Access to Work (AtW) Fact just a third of employers are aware of AtW!

11 How we address these challenges Clarion provides award-winning employability support to Deaf customers (next slide) Engage with employers of the benefits of employing a Deaf individual and remove any perceived negativities and barriers Provide Deaf Awareness Training to employers and their workforce when they employ a Deaf person - thus increases chance of sustainability Raise employers awareness of Access to Work

12 Clarion s award-winning specialist employability support for Deaf customers Our Communication and Employment Consultants (CEC) provides One to one or Group Work support with: Confidence building, Motivational goals and improving job aspirations and expectations CV writing and assist with Job searching and applications and self-employment Advice and guidance to realistic job aims and encouraging empowerment Interview role play practice and support at interview In Work Support (IWS) to achieve sustainability Support with setting up Access to Work PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE!

13 Clarion UK in Partnership Work Programme, Work Choice Specialist Employability Support Supply Chain Partner of the year 2013

14 Now, over to you! Any questions?

15 Supply Chain Partner of the year 2013 GET IN TOUCH WITH US! Bob Marsh Tel:

How to apply for Access to Work (AtW) online: (Correct as of September 2018)

How to apply for Access to Work (AtW) online: (Correct as of September 2018) This is information to help you apply for AtW. It is worth reading all of this before you start applying because it will help you be prepared with your answers, and gives you suggestions about how to explain