Deaf Culture impact on employment 24 th

Deaf Culture = impact on employment? 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Auslan n n Australian Sign Language Recognised as a true Language other than English in 1987, by the Australian Government in their languages Policy. Different to English, it is a visual language – cannot be written or read Similar to Aboriginal language – passed on to generations from generations 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Deaf Culture n Australia Elements of culture ¨Materialistic n observable phenomena ¨Normative n behaviours ¨Cognitive n values, traditions etc 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Deaf Culture Materialistic Flashing Lights for doorbell, phone, clock, baby cry, fire/smoke Normative Cognitive n Tapping n Minority group n Waving n Equal access issues n n TTY (Telephone Typewriter) Banging Strong sense of community n Eye contact n Language - Auslan Vibrating pagers, mobile phones, clock n More observant n n Visually orientated Literature/art/poetry and theatre n Distance between people n Deaf humour Talking is greater (no need to duck to walk through) n Disassociation from speech n Story telling n History of oppression n n Captioning n Volume control phone n Loop n FM n Hearing dog n Interpreter n Open plan house n Wooden floorboards n Good lighting in house n n Physically expressive n Physical contact common n Long goodbyes 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Case Study 1 - “Peter Smith” Scenario - How to inform Deaf employee to stop working when the phone rings. n Solution - provide flashing light equipment n Funding – Apply to Job Access for Workplace modifications funding n 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Case Study 2 - “Jim Jones” Scenario - How to greet Deaf staff in the appropriate manner n Solution - provide Deafness Awareness Training for staff who work with Deaf staff. n Funding - Apply for Auslan for Employment funding through Job Access and contact the WA Deaf Society to arrange a Deafness Awareness Training n 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Case 3 - “Mary Black” Scenario - How to communicate with Deaf employee. n Solution - Staff can receive training by learning Auslan as other language n Method - Apply for Auslan for Employment funding for colleagues of a Deaf person to attend TAFE courses n 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Common Questions about Deaf people in the Workplace n n n Are there any safety issues in the workplace, which relate specifically to people who are Deaf? Are Deaf people covered by workers compensation and personal insurance policies? Do Deaf people have more accidents in the workplace than their hearing peers? Can Deaf people obtain a license to drive a forklift? Do Deaf people have more driving accidents than hearing people? http: //www. wadeaf. org. au/index. php? id=19 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

Possible Barriers to Workplace Inclusion Cost of technology n Cost of booking an interpreter n Assistance: n ¨ Government funding is available for workplace and work related modifications ¨ AFE funding provides up to $5000 person to fund work related interpreting support 24 th October 2008 Working in the West

THANK YOU 24 th October 2008 Working in the West