How to Accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees

Any employer with 15 or more employees is subject to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). One of the major groups that must be accommodated per the ADA is the deaf and hard of hearing community. There are no exact, up-to-date numbers on how many people in the US are deaf and hard of hearing. However, according to Gallaudet University's website, it's estimated that between 9 and 22 of every 1,000 people in the US are hard of hearing or deaf. While a significant portion of these people are over 64, many are not. This means at some point, your company is very likely to hire, or at least interview, a deaf or hard-of-hearing employee. Here are 4 tips on how you can accommodate employees and candidates with an auditory disability. 1. Using Assistive Technology Modern technology provides some of the best options to help deaf and hard of hearing employees or interview candidates. Hard of hearing employees' ability to communicate on the phone may greatly benefit from a handset amplification system. Captioned phones (which provide real-time text of what the caller is saying) are also another excellent way to facilitate more effective communication. An additional option is to use video telephones for video relay service (VRS), which facilitates communication through American Sign Language and lip reading. Lastly, notification sounds on a hard-of-hearing employee's work phone, smartphone and computer could be switched to a flashing indicator light instead. [Related: Guide to Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace] 2. Creating a better work environment Beyond assistive technology, there are more logistical steps employers can take to accommodate their hard of hearing and deaf employees or interview candidates. Firstly, and most importantly, your company should have visual notifications for emergencies, such as blinking lights (for exit directions) or markers for emergencies such as a fire, earthquakes, etc. The second step you can take is reducing exposure to extra background noise for hard of hearing employees and candidates. Kitchen appliances, ventilators, running water, background chatter, and other similar noises may seem insignificant to other employees. A person who uses hearing aids experiences these sounds much more loudly, though, which can be exhausting over time. Even if somebody does not wear hearing aids, they may be straining to hear fellow coworkers over background noise. Changes in workplace seating arrangements, like moving a hard-of-hearing employee to a seat away from the kitchen or printers, can make a big difference. [Related: A Complete Guide to Employee Engagement Activities] 3. Workplace Communication If you're hiring a new employee who's deaf or hard of hearing, you might consider having a quick department meeting to let your current employees know. You can instruct them on how to accommodate their new colleague by practicing simple things, such as avoiding talking over each other during workplace conversations, or always facing hard of hearing employees during conversation so they can see their lips as they speak (for lip reading purposes). Along with verbal communication tactics, consider using written memos and emails to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing employees. 4. Hire an Interpreter Sometimes it will make sense to hire a certified interpreter for the deaf or hard of hearing. For instance, you may need an interpreter for a conference, company-wide presentation, important client meeting, etc. The key is to hire someone from a well-reputed company that vets their interpreters. There are at least 3 kinds of sign language that are used: American Sign Language (ASL), Signing Exact English (SEE), and Pidgin Signed English (PSE). You want to hire an interpreter who can use whichever version your employee needs, not to mention somebody who is responsible and professional. Give your employees the best accommodations you can, and they'll pay you back tenfold in excellent work. Samantha Keefe is the Marketing Manager at Language Connections. Language Connections has nearly 3 decades of experience as a full-range language service provider (including translation, interpretation, and language training). The company is headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices around the world.  

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