Could you help Swaffham man with hidden disability get back to work?
The West Norfolk Deaf Association is looking for businesses who could help
A Swaffham man is looking for a business to take a chance and give him a job to get his feet back on the jobs ladder.
Alan Daines is deaf, and despite having sent off more than 300 job applications, he's not had a permanent job for around three years.
He's found that everyone having to wear a mask is a real barrier to communication and understanding for him, and others with hearing problems who can feel isolated at the best of times, let alone during lockdown in the face of COVID-19.
He was made redundant from the printing industry and has struggled to rejoin the world of work with employers apparently wary of taking on someone who has hearing problems, although they would never say so as it would breach laws regarding disability discrimination.
It has been hard and the situation is affecting both him and his wife Myra, who is also profoundly deaf, in terms of their mental health and also their relationship - although they support each other completely.
Myra said:
“Although Alan is not fluent in written English he is as capable as anyone else in any number of positions. He could be a real asset if only he could be given the chance to prove himself. He even had a two week placement in a supermarket before the pandemic and he enjoyed working on the shop floor and as a buddy delivery driver, but his applications for a permanent, paid role have not been successful.
“Alan is always friendly and enjoys helping people - but people who are not D/deaf aware do not understand or make assumptions because he may not give a relevant answer at the interview stage. He finds it difficult to show how keen he is and how hard he works. He does not always realise that he may have misunderstood a question."
Alan is an experienced dispatch delivery driver and is interested in a postman-type role as he used to do postal sorting at a borough council in Suffolk, delivery driving or a position in a warehouse or supermarket. He is flexible with the hours and days, would not mind shift work.
There is support for potential employers with the Access to Work scheme which offers free support and information to those in a position to offer work.
If your company can help Alan, please contact him via text message on 07803340671