Article of Note
serving clients and patients who share their condition .
Persons with hearing loss often expanded their professional networks to include others in the community . This may involve affiliations with organizations like the Association of Late- Deafened Adults , Canadian Hard of Hearing Association , Canadian Association of the Deaf , Hearing Loss Association of America and the National Association of the Deaf .
Our research underscores the resilience and adaptability of persons with hearing loss in the workplace . By redefining success , shifting their perspectives and expanding their networks to include supportive communities , persons with hearing loss are able to lead rich and fulfilling professional lives .
What can co-workers and supervisors do to help make workplaces more inclusive ? There are a number of practices supervisors can adopt to support employees with hearing loss effectively . These practices include : avoid assuming an employee with a disability is less able , ask persons with hearing loss about their preferred communication methods and provide reasonable accommodations for them , such as interpreters , captioning , assistive devices and flexible work arrangements .
These can help persons with hearing loss to communicate effectively , participate in meetings and training sessions , access information and resources and perform their jobs effectively . Supervisors should create a sense of openness and flexibility so employees feel comfortable requesting accommodations as needed .
In addition , supervisors and co-workers should learn more inclusive communication skills . For example , they can learn basic sign language , use clear and articulate language , speak more slowly and clearly and avoid covering their mouths when speaking as this can hinder lip-reading . Many persons with hearing loss also find it easier to communicate one-on-one in well-lit , quiet locations .
Regular check-ins with employees to see how things are going , what challenges they are facing and if they need any support are also essential . Supervisors and co-workers should raise awareness , educate others , challenge stereotypes and promote accessibility at work . They should advocate for a more inclusive and respectful work environment for all employees , especially those with hearing loss .
This article was originally published in The Conversation . Read the original article here .
Supervisors and co-workers should learn more inclusive communication skills , like basic sign language , to help persons with hearing loss to communicate effectively at work . ( Shutterstock )
38 Accessibilty for All