Employment Support

Hearing loss shouldn’t be a barrier to work.

Unfortunately, for many deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, it still is. Despite the skills, talents and determination they bring to the workplace, the barriers they face can often prevent them from achieving their full potential.

Evidence of employment barriers shows:

deaf people are twice as likely to be out of work as hearing people
the employment rate for those with hearing loss is over 10% lower than the general population
more than half of individuals with hearing loss report that they’ve experienced discrimination, with one in four reporting that this resulted in them leaving a job

These statistics highlight a pressing issue that cannot be ignored. Nottinghamshire Deaf Society wants this to change.

Let’s break barriers

We’re committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals from thriving in the workforce. We understand that finding and maintaining employment is not just about having the right skills; it’s about ensuring equal opportunities, understanding, and the right support at every stage of the employment journey.

We’re delivering employment-related support to deaf and hard-of-hearing people in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire. Through tailored services and one-on-one support, we aim to empower deaf individuals to overcome the barriers that they face to finding work or progressing their careers.

Our team can help you with:

your job search
filling in an application
writing your CV
preparing for interviews
1:1 coaching
career guidance
confidence building
volunteering
employer engagement
Access to Work queries
signposting

Access to Work

Access to Work (AtW) is a publicly funded employment support programme designed to help disabled people start or stay in work. The programme can provide financial assistance for things like special equipment, support workers, or adaptations to the workplace.

Access to Work could give you a grant to help pay for things like:

communication support at work or a job interview, (e.g. a BSL interpreter)
specialist equipment and assistive software
costs of travelling to work, if you cannot use public transport
adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
physical changes to your workplace

Find out more through our BSL Access to Work Factsheet

Ready for your next step?

If you want to take the next step in your career – with the support and resources to make it happen – please reach out to us. Whether you’re just starting your job search or looking to advance your career, our Employment Support Officer is here to help you every step of the way.

If you’re interested in receiving employment support, need help with Access to Work, or want to know more, please email employment@nottsdeaf.org.uk, and our Employment Support Officer, Ben, will be in touch to discuss how he can help.