Great thread!
Just do the job you're capable of and hired for. Everything falls into place. I'm known as a Jane of all trades in a sense. I've worked in several photo jobs, kitchens, air cargo industry/security and forensic/law enforcement/biomedical photography.
Bosses love employees they can trust and know that they can do the job.
Lots of stories to tell but.......if you can get along with people, it does not matter if your're deaf or not. If problems, DISH IT RIGHT OUT and they will respect you. I've outlasted problem managers and problem employees. I've been supervisor to eight hearing security guys. I went overseas into Latin countries not knowing enough Spanish. If you're good at what you do, you are up there with the best. Veterinary surgeries and overseas flying are the best! I've had battles that would rival that of Hell's Kitchen, including two attempts to get me fired. Jon has been in those himself, and we love watching Hell's Kitchen. It's most realest of reality shows except for Gordon Ramsey's mouth. Most chefs are more respectful than that.
There was only one job that I got to work with a deaf (and black) employee. It was a blast. We would get yelled at by the executive chef for constantly communciating in sign. I'd tell him, okay chef, we'll talk less but you gotta tell the hearies to talk less also.... However, we all know that hearies can talk and work at the same time. No hands to sign. The deaf employee I worked with, what a great guy! I lost track of him......He does well in rest of his food service jobs. Managers LOVE him.
I never wanted accomodations beyond talking with bosses what they expected of me. In my cargo airline job, I'd have an alpha pager for here and my radio calls were directed to the pager or through employees. They were also instructed by the big boss to talk on the radio anytime I requested them to. I've been notrious for reading the newspaper in the mornings on the job but the boss never bothered me because I'd have one eye on the tarmac and other eye in the paper. Only that people would NOT think I'm always watching!
When we got shut down by the FAA, I was a shoo-in for a supervisor job at rival Arrow Air based on my reputation but guess what? Their safety guy said HELL NO when he heard about my deafness. So I went back into the kitchen to pay the bills.
Now I'm a SAHM trying to book caterings and festivals. I also work with a deaf and HoH organization called MelaBuddies. I LOVE what I'm doing these days.
