Challenges of employing deaf people in the labor market: the post-employment gap
Despite possessing academic qualifications and specialized scientific expertise, many people with hearing impairments still face complex challenges in entering the job market. A significant crisis in this area stems from the lack of appropriate mechanisms in some private sector employers to identify and optimally utilize the skills of deaf employees after they have passed the initial hiring phase, creating a clear gap between formal employment and genuine empowerment.
Historical context of Arab Deaf Week
The Arab Deaf Week is an annual media and advocacy event that was first launched in 1974 upon the recommendation of the Arab Federation of Organizations Working in the Care of the Deaf. This week aims to highlight the rights of people with hearing disabilities, showcase their abilities, and emphasize the necessity of their inclusion in Arab societies. Within this historical and legal context, the challenges they face on the ground formed the central focus of the 51st Arab Deaf Week, organized by the Saudi Association for Hearing Impairment in the Eastern Province, in cooperation with the Sa'i Foundation for the Rehabilitation and Employment of People with Disabilities.
The importance of the event and the objectives of Vision 2030
The Prince Sultan Science and Technology Center (SciTech) in Al-Khobar hosted these events under a slogan reflecting a strategic shift: “Career Paths for the Deaf: From Rights to Responsibilities for a Better Life.” These events are of paramount importance both locally and regionally, as they align closely with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which explicitly stipulates the empowerment of people with disabilities and the provision of suitable employment opportunities that guarantee their independence and integration as active contributors to the national economy. The event witnessed the launch of practical initiatives to empower the deaf, including receiving direct job applications and signing partnership agreements to enhance vocational guidance and training.
Field challenges and a gap in the work environment
Abdulrahman Al-Hamoud, a deaf teacher and one of the first graduates of the Deaf Education program at King Saud University, puts his finger on the core issue of employment. He explained that he and his sister are among the first deaf teachers in this field, expressing his pride in this experience, which carries with it a double responsibility. Al-Hamoud pointed out that there is a clear gap in the job market; while some organizations offer job opportunities for deaf individuals, they are later unable to utilize their true potential due to the lack of effective assessment and communication mechanisms in the workplace. He emphasized that the only difference between them and others is their sense of hearing, while their capabilities are no different.
Institutional efforts to address the shortage
In response to this organizational gap, the Saudi Association for Hearing Impairment in the Eastern Province is leading intensive efforts to create suitable professional environments. The association's director, Arwa Al-Dossari, emphasized that these efforts extend beyond financial and logistical support to encompass the core of employment empowerment. She explained that the association receives job applications and connects them with suitable opportunities, while simultaneously offering intensive sign language courses to government and private sector entities to facilitate communication with deaf employees. This vision aligns with the plans of board member Khalid Al-Hamoud, who revealed the development of conditional agreements with private sector institutions. These agreements guarantee the provision of rehabilitation programs for deaf individuals in exchange for sustainable jobs that match their skills.
Breaking isolation and building leadership
Regarding vocational training, Mariam Al-Asiri, from the Girls' Vocational Rehabilitation Association, explained that training programs extend to handicrafts, where beneficiaries undergo three-month vocational training programs that culminate in employment or the launch of their own businesses. In a parallel effort, specialized clubs play a vital role in breaking the isolation of the deaf community. Hamoud Al-Hamami, CEO of the Deaf Club in the Eastern Province, stated that the club goes beyond sports competitions, incorporating cultural and social activities to refine members' skills and develop their leadership qualities. Finally, Abrar Al-Otaibi, drawing on her own experience, affirmed that sign language has an amazing ability to bridge divides, urging society to discover the hidden talents possessed by deaf individuals.
