Two profoundly deaf people, who each notched up countless rejection letters from employers, are finally back in work.
Craig Dyson and Miroslav Lacko have benefitted from a unique service provided by specialist employment services company Remploy and funded by Sheffield City Council, the aim of which is to support deaf people into jobs. The scheme, which has been running for the past nine months, has now notched up several successes.
Craig, from Manor Top, has just started working at Asda in Parson Cross, keeping the store’s posters and signs up to date. A former sign writer, 27-year-old Craig was made redundant by his previous employer, and has spent the last few months trying to get another job. He was referred to Remploy for specialist support by his local Jobcentre Plus office, a move that helped him overcome his confidence and communication barriers. He is now enjoying the many benefits that having a job brings.
“On paper, I had the right mix of skills for the kind of positions I was applying for,” said Craig. “But as soon as I mentioned my deafness, employers just saw obstacles that really don’t exist.”
Remploy helped Craig write an effective CV, and showed him how to complete job application forms in a way that really sold his abilities. Armed with this and an array of effective interview techniques, he applied for his job at Asda. Remploy’s sign language specialist attended the interview with Craig, and he was appointed soon afterwards.
Slovakian born Miroslav Lacko, who is 38 and from Eckington, had spent the past 18 months out of work and looking for a job. Remploy helped
Miroslav look for job vacancies that would make best use of his previous two years’ cleaning experience, and then showed him effective interview techniques that would convince employers he was just as capable as any other candidate.
Now helping keep Concorde Sports Centre in Shiregreen cleaned to professional standards, Miroslav is also teaching sign language to his colleagues so that he can enjoy a chat as well as enjoy his job.
He said: “I explained to those who interviewed me that I really wanted to work and that I would do a good job – and with Remploy’s ongoing support, that’s just what I am doing!”
Remploy has partnered with a number of Sheffield employers with the aim of ensuring people with disabilities and health conditions are given equal opportunities when it comes to filling vacancies.
Cassandra Topp, who is managing Remploy’s programme for deaf people said, “Some employers are reluctant to take a chance because they fear misunderstandings and other difficulties arising in the workplace. The reality is quite different – deaf people are equally as capable as their hearing colleagues, and the positive experiences of Craig and Miroslav are proof of this.”
People with disabilities and long-term health conditions are invited to contact Remploy at its branch at 48 West Street in Sheffield, telephone 0300 456 8029, for job-seeking support.