People who are deaf or hard of hearing are used to facing challenges. For example, it might be more difficult for them to find their place on the labour market, not because there are no job opportunities for them, but because they might not be aware of these opportunities.
The truth is that many jobs can be perfect for the deaf and hard of hearing, as long as they have the right skills and experience. Are you thinking about entering the labour market, or making a career change so you can feel like you are at the right place?
Here are eight examples of jobs for people who are deaf and hard of hearing:
Job #1: Day care provider
If you like children, being deaf or hard of hearing shouldn’t stop you from working as a day care provider. In fact, you could have a very fulfilling career being a day care provider for children with disabilities.
If you have plenty of patience and empathy, you will be able to care for children who have hearing disabilities and special needs, and might feel misunderstood in regular day care centers. These children’s parents will be happy they have found you.
Job #2: Teacher
Teacher is another pleasant job for those who are deaf and hard of hearing. Imagine how inspiring it can be, for a child with a hearing impairment, to have a deaf or hard of hearing teacher.
As a teacher, you can teach different subjects while helping your students improve their sign language skills. But you can also show them that being disabled will not stop them from pursuing a career of their choice, and for going after their dreams. You could make a positive difference in the lives of many students!
Job #3: Audiologist
Audiologists are in demand, and this could be a motivating career for you. As an audiologist, you could work in a clinic, in a hospital, or in a school.
Your job would be to help diagnose, prevent, and treat hearing loss, tinnitus, and other hearing disorders in children and adults.
If you have a great knowledge of sign language, and a strong desire to help others, all you have to do is learn the skills needed to perform examinations of the ear canal, check for ear infections, safely remove cerumen buil-ups, provide custom hearing aids, and more.
Job #4: Sign language interpreter
Becoming a professional sign language interpreter would be more difficult for you if you are deaf, but if you are hard of hearing and skilled at reading lips, it could become an interesting career choice.
Sign language interpreters can do many different things: their job is to use a combination of sign language, facial expressions, and finger spelling to simplify communication between hearing and deaf people.
They can use tactile signing into the hands of people who are both deaf and blind, and even translate English into sign language in other languages.
Job #5: Social media manager
Working as a social media manager is something you can do from the comfort of your home, as long as you have access to the internet and a good knowledge of online marketing.
Social media managers are in charge of managing the social media accounts of their clients, by creating and sharing custom content, running promotions and contests, and interacting with customers.
To do this job, you have to be aware of the latest social media trends, to be creative, and to have fun ideas to raise brand awareness for your clients.
Job #6: Accountant
If you are good with numbers and have great attention to detail, you could pursue a career as an accountant. You could be in charge of keeping track of the income and expenses of a business, and of keeping their financial books in order.
You could also crunch numbers for individuals instead of businesses.
Job #7: Writer
If you are better with words than with numbers, you could become a writer. There are many opportunities in this field: you could write and monetize a blog on a topic you are passionate about, write for businesses who want to improve their website or their online marketing, or write articles for magazines, among others.
Of course, if you have a lot of imagination, you could also consider becoming an author, and enchant your readers with original stories and endearing characters.
Job #8: Graphic designer
If you enjoy working with colours, patterns, illustrations, and photographs, you could train to become a graphic designer and create ads, animations, layouts, and more.
You will do creative work day after day, and you could stay in touch with your clients through emails or text messages. As a graphic designer, you could work for a design agency with other designers, or work on your own without having to leave your home if this is what you prefer.
