Work Opportunities for Hearing Impaired

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Finding employment can be particularly challenging for deaf and hearing impaired people. Although they are cognitively no different to able-bodied people, language barriers and discrimination mean that they are seldom given opportunities. As a result they soon find that they lack the experience to compete with their peers. For this particular project, Employment Solutions for People with Disabilities has idenitified hearing-impaired individuals who have obtained their matric certificates or a similar qualification, but lack the life skills or work experience to enter the open labour market.

OVERVIEW

This bridging programme is designed to train and provide work experience for deaf or hearing-impaired beneficiaries. More broadly, it is hoped that by helping these beneficiaries find work in the open labour market, this project will help to address some of the prejudices and stereotypes that might be held by employers and colleagues.

The project aims to combine IT, life and work skills training with work experience that is provided in a disability-friendly environment. It strives to provide the beneficiaries with sought-after skills that will be valuable to them in the open labour-market. The project aims to become financially self-sustaining through the income generated by contracts with its clients. Ultimately, it will progress its beneficiaries from the protective environment of Employment Solutions to the open market through a partnership with an agency specialising in recruitment opportunities for people with disabilities.

The work opportunities provided by Employment Solutions involves doing data capture on a contract basis. During a pilot phase, this project provided employment to 10 people who worked on contracts from three different companies. Six of these original employees have been placed in jobs on the open labour market, and there has been an increased demand for the services provided by the project. Employment Solutions has thus decided to increase the capacity of the project by purchasing the necessary electronic equipment, including computers and a high-volume scanner. This will enable the project to accommodate more beneficiaries and, as the project handles higher volumes of work, will move it towards financial sustainability.

Beneficiaries are also provided with on-the-job training. This includes basic IT training as well as life skills and professional conduct training that is provided on a case-by-case basis according to the needs of the individual beneficiary.

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

• During a pilot phase the project demonstrated that there is a strong demand for the services that they can provide. They also demonstrated a high level of success in moving their beneficiaries out of the protective environment of the project and into the open labour market.
• There is a clear business plan for developing this project to the point where it is financially self-sustaining. Contracts have already been secured from major companies.
• Working in partnership with a specialised recruitment agency ensures that beneficiaries have access the appropriate support even after they have left the project.

IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS

The project will provide employment for 10-15 beneficiaries and aims to place five people in jobs in the open labour market every year. The estimated cost per direct life change is R15,400.

Many of these beneficiaries are the primary breadwinner, and the income they earn will thus have a wider benefit for other members of their households. In addition, the capital purchase that will be funded through this project, will continue to provide a sustainable income for beneficiaries in years to come.

By introducing capable, qualified beneficiaries into the open labour market, the project will also help challenge stereotypes about hearing-impaired individuals.

ORGANISATIONAL CAPACITY

Employment Solutions for people with Disabilities has been focussed on providing employment options for persons with disabilities since 1999. The organisation employs 130 people with various disabilities through a number of different projects. The goals of Employment Solutions are well understood throughout the organisation. The organisation itself employs a number of disabled individuals at various levels (from grounds staff to secretarial staff to management), reflecting the vision of empowerment and integration that it has for all of its beneficiaries. The organisation has two broad strategies to achieve its social mission. The first is its business strategy, through which it strives to create new employment opportunities for its beneficiaries. This involves starting various pilot projects and exploring the potential to grow. The organisation strives to be demand-driven, and always explores potential markets before setting up new projects. The second strategy is to empower beneficiaries. This includes a range of skills training and motivational initiatives which aim to progress each beneficiary from their arrival and first introduction to the workplace to, wherever possible, exiting the protective workshop and competing in the open labour market.

PROJECT PROFILE

Key Strengths

• Concept: The project provides work experience and skills training to otherwise capable individuals.
• Design: The project balances skills training with work experience. This integrated approach will help to prepare the beneficiaries for jobs on the open market place.
• Capability: Employment Solutions has strong leadership and capable project management who have a lot of experience in running similar projects. Partnerships with occupational therapists, recruitment specialists and corporates (who provide some of the job skills training pro bono) ensure that specialised skills are available where necessary.
• Control: The model of using a pilot phase has proven effective at identifying potential challenges and adjusting the project plan accordingly.
• Sustainability: Employment Solutions has a clear, logical business plan to achieve financial sustainability that relies on demand-driven growth. In terms of impact, the project will have a lasting impact on the beneficiaries who will enter employment on the open labour market.

Key Risks - Low

• Concept: The project relies on having technical equipment that is expensive and will have to be replaced from time to time.
• Control: The success of the project does, to an extent, rely on the recruitment agency. However, their track record and long relationship with Employment Solutions suggests that this is not a cause for concern.
• External: While the project does strive to become financially self-sustaining, it will require occasional equipment purchases which are likely to require donor funding.