Starting your first job is an exciting milestone, but it can also be daunting. If you are deaf or have hearing loss, understanding your rights at work and the support available can help make the transition into work easier.
Here are five tips to help you start your first job with confidence and make sure you have the right support and adjustments in place.
1. Understanding what support works for you
When starting your first job, it can be helpful to reflect on what adjustments and technology you may have had at school or university that helped you.
You should also consider the unique elements of your job and what you might need for different parts of it, such as training, team meetings, phone or video calls, commuting and networking.
A workplace assessment can be arranged by your employer, either through a specialist provider or their occupational health service. You may also be eligible for assistance through Access to Work, which can provide assessments and may contribute towards the cost of workplace support through a grant.
2. Apply for Access to Work early
Make sure to apply for Access to Work as soon as you have an offer. Be sure to include your proposed start date. If it’s within six weeks, your application should be fast-tracked.
Access to Work is also available for interviews. Not all employers may know this, so it’s important to share with them if you need to arrange communication support through the scheme, such as a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter.
3. Understand the transition from Disabled Students’ Allowance to Access to Work
If you’re starting your first job after finishing your studies, you may be familiar with Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
Support does not automatically transfer from DSA to Access to Work. Even if you have had DSA during your studies, you will need an Access to Work assessment to explain your needs for your job.
While universities often coordinate support for DSA, employees are expected to play a more active role in arranging and advocating for their adjustments.
4. Make your employer aware of your hearing loss
Making your employer aware of your hearing loss gives them the opportunity to support you. You may find it helpful to use the DWP’s Adjustment Passport to identify the support you need and record any workplace adjustments, making it easier to discuss these with your employer.
Employers have a legal responsibility to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees. Access to Work can provide additional support and funding for adjustments that may be beyond what is reasonable for an employer to provide.
You can also try different support options to work out what works best for you.
5. Make the most of workplace technology and available resources
The technology used in your workplace might be different from what you’re used to at home, school or university. It may be helpful to ask in advance what technology your employer uses and give yourself time in your first few days to explore what works best for you and which assistive tools are compatible.
Examples of assistive technology in the workplace may include:
- Live captioning in Teams and Zoom
- Speech to Text Recognition (STTR) apps
- Assistive listening technology
- AI note-taking and transcription tools
As you begin your career, remember that support is available and that you have a right to reasonable adjustments at work. Planning ahead and understanding schemes like Access to Work can help you get the support you need from day one.
Get workplace support
If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, Access to Work may provide funding for support and adjustments to help you succeed in your job from day one.