Programs & Services
Career Services
N. C. is a 37-year-old analytical chemist who emigrated with her teenage daughter to the U.S. from Moldova in 2002. A depressed economy and limited horizons prompted her courageous decision. In 2003, she sought the League’s help. Her audiogram revealed a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Simultaneously supported by ESL therapy and VESID-sponsored job placement services, N. made rapid, remarkable progress.
In her native country, disability equaled liability, and N. was acutely concerned about disclosing her hearing loss to potential employers here. Encouraged by League counseling, however, she became open to discussing the challenges she has overcome. With League support, N. found fulltime employment in her field as an analytical chemist, and is moving forward steadily with her new life.
Hard of hearing and deaf job-seekers often face pervasive workplace misunderstanding and discrimination, even in cases where they have proven their value and are qualified. The discrimination faced by deaf employees is comprised of misinformation about hearing aids and assistive technology, on-the-job communication difficulties, both real and perceived, and resentment over necessary accommodations. Notwithstanding the passage of The Americans with Disabilities Act 15 years ago, historic bias is deeply rooted and persistent.
Respecting the dignity of each person and striving to support their independence, the League helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing to chart career paths and find employment. This intensive, integrated process includes:
- Educational and Career Counseling – to clarify vocational goals and support decision-making;
- Pre-Employment Counseling – assessment of skills and job readiness; review, preparation, and revision of resumes and cover letters;
- Post-Employment Counseling – individualized followup to ensure job satisfaction, including sensitivity training and job coaching where appropriate;
- Workplace Awareness Training - information for employers about communication strategies, assistive technology, federal regulations, tax credit opportunities, and hiring and training incentives.
Over the past year, the Career Services Department saw 75 individuals. Clients ranged in age from 21-65, and came from the United States as well as twenty other countries of origin. Of the 50 people who ultimately comprised the median caseload, the League helped 25 to succeed in finding productive employment.
