Work Experience and Supported Work Learning Placements help you practice the skills you need to secure future employment and transition into life out of school.
Work placements bridge the gap between education and employment, they help you build practical, industry-specific skills, gain insight into career paths and start building professional networks, all while practicing communication, teamwork, problem-solving and time-management in a real workplace.
As someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, you may have additional needs at work. Planning ahead, understanding your rights, and being able to talk to employers about the support you need are all important parts of a successful transition from school into work and adult life.
Planning for Success
My Deaf Advocacy Plan for Work
A workbook resource to help you identify your needs, plan for challenges, and talk to employers about the support that works for you.
Supporting a successful transition means supporting you to:
Know yourself.
Develop self-confidence, self-advocacy and resilience.
Explore opportunities.
Navigate transitions and changes, and understand how they affect you.
Make decisions and set goals.
Take steps to achieve your goals.
Ask for support and help when you need it.
Start Early!
Planning for work experience should begin early, particularly if you need workplace adjustments to work safely and to the best of your ability.
Deaf-friendly and disability-inclusive placements are often in high demand and can fill quickly. Many opportunities have fixed application closing dates, sometimes well before the placement itself, so early research and planning makes a real difference.
Plan for Hesitation, Challenges and Self-Advocacy
Employers can't discriminate against you for being deaf or hard of hearing, but you may still encounter hesitation, often related to communication needs or workplace safety. Being prepared to discuss deaf awareness, explain your communication needs, and negotiate workplace adjustments before a placement starts can help put employers at ease.
