Finding Deaf-friendly work can be hard especially if you have never worked before or if you have not worked for a long time. Here are some tips to help you find a job:
‘Deaf-friendly’ means the employer:
- understands you use an interpreter, other language professional and/or equipment to help you hear
- has a positive attitude towards Deaf people and learning how to communicate better
- understands their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010
Prepare a basic CV:
A CV is like your ‘life story’. It explains your history and helps employers understand who you are. A typical CV will include basic details such as your name, address, education (how many qualifications you have), hobbies/interests and the name of references (people who know you well).
If you are a young Deaf person aged 17 – 25, your Education and Healthcare Plan review should include the support needed to prepare you for work. The support can include support with preparing a CV.
You can watch a BSL clip from RAD about creating a CV:
*Top tip: check your CV for spelling mistakes. You can use free apps like Grammarly to make sure your spelling is correct*.
If you have been unemployed for a long time, you may be able to get help from the Jobcentre. The Jobcentre has several projects to help people into work:
Restart Scheme (not available in MK)
Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP)
Youth guarantee
WorkWell
You can find more information about work schemes from Turn2Us.
Interview Tips:
So, you applied for a job and you’ve got an interview – well done! Here are some tips for your interview:
The Equality Act 2010:
It is important to know your rights under the Equality Act 2010. This law says that employers are not allowed to discriminate against you. The law also says that employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for you. For example, you need a BSL interpreter for an interview. You can ask the employer to delay the interview so you can apply for Access to Work to pay for and book an interpreter. You can also ask your employer to make adjustments in the workplace.
Finding Deaf-friendly employers:
*Top tip: Find companies with the Disability Confident logo:
The Disability Confident initiative by DWP is intended to help identify organisations that support the employment of individuals with disabilities. Companies who show this logo agree to follow certain principles and agree to give disabled jobseekers an interview (providing the minimum employment criteria is met).
There are lots of websites to find jobs. Here are three websites that advertise Deaf-friendly jobs:
- DWP Find a job You can search for ‘disability-confident’ employers on this website.
Access to Work
If you need support (e.g. communication support), you can apply for Access to Work. Access to Work (ATW) is a grant from DWP to cover the costs of support at an interview and while you are at work. You can click the links below to read more information about the grant:
You can also check out our YouTube playlist with BSL videos about Access to Work.
**There are lots of problems with Access To Work as of May 2026. If you need help you can look at a website called Deaf ATW. The site is being updated but it is useful for guidance on what to do if there is a problem with your Access to Work funding.
Other sources of support:
Barclays Life Skills is a useful website for tips and guidance on how to improve your employability skills.
You can look at our money page for information about benefits and grants