Making It Happen: Fostering Success in the

Workplace for Deaf Employees

Rochester Institute of TechnologyNational Technical Institute for the

DeafJune 10, 2014

NTID Center on Employment• John Macko, Director• Dawn Lucas, Associate Director

NTID at a Glance• NTID is celebrating 45 years of

providing career education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from around the country and around the world.

• NTID was established by an Act of Congress in 1965 at RIT due to emphasis on cooperative education program.

NTID• 70 students were admitted to RIT in

1968• Currently, RIT/NTID enrolls nearly

1,300 students annually• NTID is funded by the U.S.

Department of Education

Where Our Students Come From?

21

7

99

11

1

2 3

13

42

13

4

33

5

24

6

12

6

2

1

46

6

35

2784

7

949

35

23105

39

7

108667

386

391

725

10

12

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Maryland

RIT

RIT deaf and hard-of-hearing students hail from all across the U.S., and 16 different countries.

Other Countries Represented: Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Cameroon, Canada, China, Ghana, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, The Netherlands, Pakistan, Tanzania, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

D.C. 2

• BNY Mellon• Central Intelligence

Agency• Dow Chemical Co• General Electric –

Aviation• Google

What Do These Employers Have In Common?

• IBM• NAVAIR• NAVSEA• University of

Michigan• Tiffany & Co• U.S. Army –

Tobyhanna• Walt Disney

NTID Career PathsBusiness/

Computer• (BS and AS Levels)• Accountant• Accounting Technician• Administrative Assistant• Computer Technician• Financial Analyst• HR Assistant• Marketing Specialist• Network Technician• Programmer

Science/Engineering

• (BS and AS Levels)• Biologist• CAD Technician• Civil Engineer/Technician• Computer Engineer• Electrical

Engineer/Technician• Laboratory Technician• Machinist• Manufacturing Engineer• Mechanical Engineer

NTID Career PathsVisual Communication• (BS and AS Levels)• Computer Graphic Artist• Digital Prepress Technician• Graphic Designer• Image Preparation Technician• Industrial Designer• Layout Artist• Multi-Media Specialist• Photographer• Print Production Assistant• Video Editor• Web Designer

Liberal Arts/Hospitality

• (BS and AS Levels)• Banquet Manager• Events Coordinator• Front Desk Associate• Journalist/Writer/Editor• Marketing & Advertising

Professional• Public Relations Specialist• Researcher

• Communication – How?• Safety• Accommodations – Cost?

What are employer’s top 3 concerns related to working with someone who is deaf?

• Goal - to build bridges of understanding between

deaf and hearing employees so that the most productive and mutually beneficial work relationships can be developed

• Agenda– Understanding Hearing Loss– Communication Essentials– Integrating and Accommodating Deaf Employees

Working Together Program

• Available by phone, videophone, e-mail…etc.

• Check out the employer section at http://www.ntid.rit.edu/nce/employers

Consultations/Online Resources

• Most deaf people can speech read everything that’s spoken to them.

• At best, 30 percent of speech is even visible from the lips.

• Our training offers interactive exercises that allow hearing participants to experience simulated hearing loss and speech reading.

True or False

• If a deaf person doesn’t understand your speech, writing is an acceptable way to communicate.

• Writing• Mobile device: Tablet (iPad) or iPhone• Laptop

True or False

• When communicating in person, it’s important to maintain eye-contact with the deaf person you’re talking with.

True or False

• As a boss you’re setting up an interview to meet a candidate you know is deaf due to information on the resume. What would you do to ensure a successful interview?

What would YOU do?

• The Boss has requested a mandatory meeting at the last minute and there is no time to request a sign language interpreter. What strategies could you use to facilitate the meeting to make sure the deaf employees can fully participate in the meeting?

What would YOU do?

• In general, how do deaf people with a profound hearing loss prefer to communicate?a. Sign languageb. Oral/aural communicationc. Total communicationd. Interactive writinge. Preferred communication may differ

depending on the person and the situation

Multiple Choice

• Maintain eye contact when speaking

• State the topic of discussion and speak slowly and clearly

• Use open-ended questions

• Use gestures, body language, and facial expression to help communication

• Choose an environment that is conducive to communication

General Communication Strategies

•Provide agenda and use visual aids during meeting

•Consider the layout of the room to provide good communication

•Avoid speaking when writing on board•Make sure the deaf person does not miss vital information

•Have minutes or notes taken for later reference

Group Communication Strategies

• Assists deaf and hard-of-hearing NTID/RIT students with job searches

• Offers orientation and training programs for employers

• Arranges for employers to recruit on-campus, post jobs, and request resumes

• Makes staff available for consultation before, during, and after the hire

• Coordinates faculty and staff visits to selected co-op students and their employers

NTID Center on Employment Services www.ntid.rit.edu/nce/

• Job Postings• Resume Packages• On-campus Interviewing• Distance Interviewing• NTID Job Fair – October 29, 2014

www.ntid.rit.edu/nce/employers/job-fair

Recruiting Events

Contact Information:

John Macko – Director jrmned@rit.edu – 585-475-6726Dawn Lucas – Associate Directordelnce@rit.edu – 585-475-7654