Early last year, Lorne experienced sudden hearing loss, before also losing his ability to speak. He uses a pen and notepad, limited lip-reading skills, and American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. He also uses a small clip-on microphone that transmits the speaker’s voice directly into his ears using wireless technology that connects to his hearing aids. Despite these supports, he has struggled to find work.
Lorne reached out to our office in Calgary extremely motivated to secure employment and joined our Creative Employment Options program. He had a lot of prior experience in driving and wanted to continue working in this field if accommodations could be made.
Lorne worked with Neil Squire staff to identify his skills, strengths, and interests, and learned how to update and tailor his resume and cover letter to positions in the professional driving industry. He learned the importance of identifying in his cover letter that he is hearing impaired and cannot speak to ensure any interested employers are able to reach him to communicate effectively.
He learned to take care of his assistive technology supports, ensuring they are always clean, maintained, and fully charged for work purposes, and to always remember to have a notebook and more than one pen for making notes.
While job searching, Lorne came across a driving position with a local non-profit. He applied and was offered an interview. He practiced interview techniques and went into the interview with confidence.
Shortly after, he was offered the position and Lorne was provided with work boots, a safety vest, and a driver鈥檚 abstract. He was also given vehicle stickers that indicate to others that he is hearing impaired so they can communicate properly with him and ensure his safety in the event of emergency situations, as well as a poly communication device to aid in communication in meetings.
Lorne is grateful for the support he received from Neil Squire after experiencing such a profound change in his life, and he is excited to be able to return to the workforce and get to do what he loves everyday.
