In 2017, based on statistics derived from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, there are 3,956,175 individuals ages 18 to 64 with hearing disabilities living in the community.  The ability to communicate forms a foundation for every day decision making and relationship building. Communicating with deaf individuals is an achievable goal in the workplace as outlined in the following resources.

Hearing Impairment Overview- The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides background and accommodation solutions for individuals with a hearing impairment. This site also includes articles and blog posts.

Tips for Communicating with Deaf Individuals- This link from the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes, funded by the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), provides background and tips that can facilitate communication with deaf and hard of hearing employees in the workplace.

Integrating a Deaf Employee in the Workplace- The National Institute for the Deaf (NTID) within Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) lists strategies to help create mutually beneficial work relationships between deaf and hearing employees during the stages of pre-employment, new employee orientation, and on the job.

EEOC Guidance- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) outlines guidance regarding deafness and hearing impairments in the workplace.