Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students face distinct communication and situational challenges that can hinder their access to careers education. DCA is actively addressing these issues through this initiative.
Breaking Down Barriers
Supporting DHH Students Into Work Experience
This initiative strives to break down communication barriers with a focus on equipping teachers, career practitioners, and host employers to provide more effective support for DHH students in their pursuit of work experience opportunities.
The project aims to:
Enhance DHH student engagement with careers education by supporting skills development for teachers and career practitioners and creating practical online resources to facilitate DHH students' participation in work experience planning and execution.
Increase employment opportunities and accessibility for DHH students by increasing awareness and understanding of the unique needs of DHH individuals among host employers, encouraging them to create inclusive and accommodating work environments.
The Pilot
What We Learned
As part of the Work Experience Project, DCA worked directly with schools and deaf and hard of hearing students to trial resources and identify specific needs and barriers to successful work experience placements. The pilot contributed to the development of eLearning and online resources to help teachers and careers professionals support DHH students, including Deaf Awareness Training (DAT) designed to encourage deaf-aware workplaces.
Applications to participate in the pilot phase of the project are now closed. We thank everyone who participated and value their contributions.
StudentsTeachers and Career PractitionersEmployers
We'd like to thank The Brian M Davis Charitable Foundation for their generous support of this 3-year project, and the Telematics Trust for additional funding support.
