Employment Resources

Deaf people can do anything, except hear."
I. King Jordan, President, Gallaudet University - 1998

Think of all the jobs there are in the world! People who are deaf and hard of hearing do just about all of them. Here are a few: accountant, actor, architect, biologist, carpenter/painter, chemist, clerical worker, draftsman, engineer, farmer, financial consultant, gardener, landscaper, librarian, mechanic, printer, social worker, statistician, writer. The list goes on and on!

It's hard to believe that not too long ago (and even today in some parts of the world), employers would not give people who are deaf and hard of hearing a chance at many jobs. Employers and sometimes teachers insisted these careers required hearing. But think about it. How many of the jobs listed above REALLY need hearing?

Things are changing. More employers are realizing that hearing is not necessary for every job. They watch their deaf workers do their jobs as well as hearing people can. And now deaf and hard of hearing people have more choices for schools and training programs where they learn skills for different jobs. These changes are important for deaf and hard of hearing students who are in school now. They can choose from many more careers. Some aim for careers seldom tried by deaf people in the past. About 20 years ago, for example, only a few deaf people had gone to law school. Today, deaf lawyers work for the federal government and private corporations. Some have their own law practices. One is a judge...

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Abilities Unlimited Hawaii
Website: http://www.abilitiesunlimitedhi.org/
Abilities Unlimited focuses on providing community-based support for individuals with disabilities. By providing direct service and macro-level advocacy efforts to the community, the organization serves as a catalyst for positive social change to build communities that welcome individuals with disabilities and empower these individuals to participate in dignified opportunities in all sectors of community life.  Four programs make up the foundation of Abilities Unlimited the Employment Program, the Medicaid Waiver Program, the Travel Training Program, and the AmeriCorps Program. In addition to the variety of services provided, Abilities Unlimited staffs and operates the 5th Floor Caf. Abilities Unlimited is also committed to advocacy and big-picture, systematic attitudinal change regarding individuals with disabilities in the community.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Deaf Services Section (DVR-DSS)
Hawai`i VR Website: http://hawaiivr.org/main/
Vocational Rehabilitation is a state-federal program for individuals with disabilities who require assistance to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment. Deaf Services Section staff are rehabilitation counselors whom specialize in job training and job placement for persons who are Deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind.

Lanakila Pacific
https://www.lanakilapacific.org/
Lanakila Workforce Resources is a program designed to provide valuable training and work experience for adults with disabilities that would otherwise have difficulty securing a job.  The program offers vocational services through a combination of pre-employment assessments, occupational skills training, practical work experience and job coaching; essential components in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment. Lanakila Pacific fosters relationships with local businesses to open doors and enhance job opportunities for our trainees, once the program has been completed.

Network Enterprises, Inc.
Website: http://www.networkenterprises.org/
Network Enterprises, Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 1985 to provide vocational rehabilitation, job training, job placement and support services to persons in Hawaii with physical, social, economic and/or intellectual/cognitive challenges. Network Enterprises, Inc.'s mission is to assist clients in building and enhancing self-esteem and self-confidence and to motivate them to obtain and maintain successful, competitive employment.  Network is a nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal and state income taxes. Network has also been classified as an entity that is not a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) and qualifies for deductible contributions as provided in Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Veterans and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A Guide for Employers
Website: http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/ada_veterans_employers.cfm
This guide describes how the ADA applies to recruiting, hiring, and accommodating veterans with disabilities, and briefly explains how protections for veterans with disabilities differ under USERRA and the ADA. The guide also provides information on laws and regulations that employers may find helpful if they want to make recruiting and hiring veterans with disabilities a priority.