Deaf People and Employment

This is a skit we filmed for our "Deaf People and Hearing People: A Comparative Cultural Analysis" class we all took at Cal State Northridge, Spring 2012. The video was meant to show the kind of obstacles (e.g. interpreter issues) and discrimination (e.g. interview process) Deaf people typically experience, specifically when looking for jobs. The video is completely captioned for both the spoken and signed dialogue. We hope you enjoy it and help spread awareness! STOP AUDISM!
Cast (in order of appearance):
Randi-Lee Helm: Job Organization Leader
Hannah Walsh: Job Applicant #2
Ruth Herrara: Job Organization Leader
Allen Chung: Job Applicant #1
Saida Epsy: Receptionist
Jessica Flores: Assistant
Christy Ruiz: Interpreter
Pauline Salazar: The Boss
Music (added for our other hearing "laypeople" friends and possible future allies!):
"You got a friend in me" Toy Story
"Girl From Ipanema" The Music From Brazil
"Sway" Michael Buble
"Sailor Moon Theme" Anime That Jazz
"Super Mario World Theme Song (Jazz Version)" uploaded by Nimroxx
"Fix You" Coldplay

[@TheatticSisters]

My boyfriend is deaf and he finds it really difficult to find a job and just recently graduated with a degree in business. People just will not give him the time of day and living in Memphis makes it all the worse!! Thank you this video is good for awareness. People need to give everyone a chance. Deaf not dumb!! Ignorance is dumb!!

[@JustMeTamTam]

Audism needs to be STOPPED! I had a similar experience to this story. I used to manage a few hotels, I started with working at the front desk. I found a job opening that paid more then my current Front desk job so decided to interview. I had 3 years front desk experience already. My boyfriend at the time, who had no hotel experience, decided to apply for the same job, since he was out of work also. They needed two people. He got the job, and another person who had no experience got the other opening. I had excellent resume, references and everything. They did not even call my references or current boss. My boyfriend (they did not know he was my boyfriend) asked about me later to the manager, in a causal conversation. "Oh remember that Deaf Girl that applied same time I did" and the manager admitted she just didn't want a Deaf person working there..... this has happened often and is the reason that the unemployment rate for Deaf and HOH is so high!

[@jennylargent9843]

Ridiculous. I'm trying to learn ASL, I had no idea how hard it must have been for my cousin growing up deaf and none of us know ASL. He moved away when I was little so I don't really know him that well, but next family reunion, we're going to have a full conversation.

[@commanderxp90]

This asian actor in the video crack me up. The deaf seeking job woman does it very well job to impress the manager while the interview. In fact, I am the first deaf person to be hired by the Worldwide Tech Service under Dell. I haven't been getting job within two years from between in 2011 to 2013 until I got a real part-time job on last year of December. I also graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology as major in PC Technician with an Associate's degree. All I thanked the God for making my life much better than worst in my last year of life. I consider about to enroll the CSUN for studying in Information Technology with Bachelor's degree in Science someday. I hold my dream on the path while I work. For your information, the black woman at the desk in the video is a racist and should be fired. It is not right because she gave her bad attitude to a deaf woman.

[@marcuspabon9900]

I'm Deaf and i think this is great video. I am really like it. I have same experiences as that woman. i was applied 4 different company and all of them is not successful due my deafness and lack of communicates. I just need a money to look after myself not depend on Government's money. I think this video should be on Tv to show how is it difficult for Deaf People. My view, American Deaf is lucky than British Deaf ( i lives in London ) It is very very rare to see Deaf people with Job.

[@goldwarmachine]

The other problem with things like this nowadays... nobody has "time" for accommodations, even with laws and all that... management is under pressure to save money whenever possible, it's our damn economy that's contributing to this prejudice in the employment world even further. Even worse... if you suspect discrimination, regardless of whether it took place or not, you cannot ever prove it.

[@JeremyGrubbs66]

I was 25 years old. I am deaf. I used to work for pizza hut delivery with 2 deaf guys and 3 hard of the hearing for 3 years. Manager and Crew love work with us and good time with them. Deaf can do anythings. I was start 18 years old. I used to work Publix Bakery for 14 years. I can made any breads, rolls, cake, donuts, etc...

[@ewokvn]

The first time I met a deaf person, his car was broke down and I felt helpless not knowing how to talk to him so I could help him, later I worked at a company that hired a lot of deaf people and I took the time to learn how to talk to them, greatest bunch of people I ever knew. Learning ASL opened doors for me in more ways than most will realize.

[@H3rmalyn3]

I don't that is soley true. I just feel that hard of hearing and deaf people needs to be more firm in what they stand for. By removing them different areas and putting them in another place by themselves is not going to change, although that would be a sweet thought. As a proud advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing, I do believe that we can make a positive impact to the entire world. Just give it some time, There are actual people that want to help. Think about it.

[@Mazlik86]

Im from Czech Republic and it is the same here. But they were not so rude as here. Im doing my job 7 years and now I had a problem. I am now makeup artist for a brand and in one shop where I was doing it said after I did not understand what they said that they dont want a crippled person there.

[@zladatv]

*👍супер ипивет от тренера по футболу!*

[@calandramoss6156]

Hello if you are interview to the person why are you wear white shirt?

[@JoshiesWorld]

Right, only difference between hearing and deaf (or even hard of hearing) is their hearing. The people who are deaf or hard of hearing is very much same as hearing people is especially their work skills and among others. Only difference is their communication. Deaf people works hard as hearing people, sadly sometimes harder than hearing due to their concentration skill. Deaf/Hard of Hearing is very skilled when it comes to concentrating on their work and other stuff since their ear becomes eyes.

[@mariabyrne7222]

This is the actual story of my life.

[@lookingup82]

see it all the time, I'm an intrrpreter. Deaf person nails interview and I. old hear -thin. walls-- same thing.

[@kiranm.k3420]

i am daef yes.. you happy k...

[@bobcy100]

WOULD LOVE INVOLVE AND LEARN , 74 YRS OLD HARD TO GET JOB ... DIVERSITY JOB PART TIME , DEAF PERSON USE WALKER.. WANT TO GET OUT HOUSE NO MATTER HOW MUCH EARN , WANT WORKS

[@daniloalmeida5223]

Deaf caiu surdo

[@kellyrocks15]

I will be commenting as I'm watching so I"ll be pausing and then scrolling down to give feedback. I'm HOH, just got a degree and have never been employed. 1)The girl who is deaf states she doesn't have a disability(being deaf may not be a disability to the person but since others do she needs to state it because i've been told to not tell them i"m hard of hearing and I always cover my hearing aids) so now i look stupid in a job interivew if i'm lucky to get one because they don't realize i'm Hard of Hearing. 2)Receptionist was rude as heck. 3)the guy was absoutely clueless and an idiot(can i say that on youtube)4)ugh don't you just hate when the person doing the interview says ask her this and that and the deaf person has to explain just cause i'm deaf doesn't mean I'm not a person? Ok i know this video is a sketch and all but the other thing is, is that the music is distracting and to make it more realistic you could of had the actors speaking when necessary and the deaf actors signing and still put the closed caption in. that would of made the vide more authentic instead of me having to read everything.

[@shinobishiranui3654]

I really liked this video. As an interpreter for the deaf and spoken language, I would like to show this video to others so they are aware of their personal biases they may have. It is really sad and also gross to see THIS kind of discrimination. This video is very powerful and I would love to show this video to SEVERAL companies because this is grounds for a LAWSUIT and DISCRIMINATION case with the EEOC. I really appreciate you all producing this video because even I as professional, find this disturbing and especially for sign language and spoken language interpreters. Thank you for producing this video again. I hope to see more.

[@MSIZZLE09]

yes i did betch!!

[@Sarah3059]

omg..im sorry..thought the video although cheesy..proved a great point but i could not stop watching that one woman in the beginning ( white shirt) sign and basically rock back and forth and move her head up and down every time she signed. Her signing was great..just could not focus on the signs with the rocking...and IM deaf..Id hate that.

[@daniloalmeida5223]

Olá bom dia

[@amandajkrafft73]

I am working in Mailroom in the city, Brisbane (Queensland, Australia) for 16 half years. My workmate are all hearing. I don't have problems with them. Easy to communite on paper/pen. If meeting, they always get interpreter.

[@CactrotRapido]

Is that a Sailor Moon remix? \

[@revelinsturm3086]

Sadly, this is very true. Happened to me all of the time when I was searching for a job for 6 months before I finally found one. Now, it is still happening because I still haven't found a job yet after my temporary contract ended. It has been over a half year now and many employers (100+) denied me regardless of how qualified I am. No wonder way too many deaf people are relying on the government; the deaf unemployment rate is being completely ignored. 75% deaf unemployment vs. 5% national unemployment.

[@NikkiScatch84]

Reckless potato I'm sorry :( i can relate .. It took me 3 years after college to find a part time job.

[@dayanaruiz1369]

@@NikkiScatch84 Im still in college I dont have job expérience. Im hard hearing eventually deaf someday Im wondering how do deaf person get interviewed? Do the company gets a interperter or we need to get one before getting interviewed? Do you think using an app works when getting interviewed is it allowed?

[@NikkiScatch84]

Dayana Ruiz I think most people hire interpreters to for interviews. Now a days I think most dhh use apps on their phone. A lot of deaf friends of mine have told me some interpreters can be phony.

[@dayanaruiz1369]

Im planning on being a medical assistant. I was told by a friend that phone apps are not allowed

[@skimlines]

haha amateur interpreter... should've sat behind the boss lady imo.

[@mayumiT1970]

Actually it happen everyday, everywhere. I'm an Asian and a Deaf. Sound worst for them lol...

[@Patti122]

It a very educated video! I would definitely share this and as an Senior Employment Consultant, I would also share with my clients. Great job, team!

[@Yasmeen1219]

lol they put the black lady as clueless lol stereotypes are not nice

[@StardustWolf]

I just realized one of the songs was a jazz rendition of the Sailor Moon theme song XD

[@paradoxied]

Very well done! This is a very important message that many people need to be aware of!

[@Allenballen88]

What great fun this was. Such a great time. Miss you all

[@helmforever]

Love it! Thanks group! Please post to share Deaf Awarness! Thank you! ;)

[@bitesizeazn]

did you actually watch the whole thing??

[@skimlines]

8:30 sailor moon theme song?

[@CactrotRapido]

And then a Mario remix??

[@chingona8260]

allen is fine as hell

[@deonyabenjamin6044]

No

[@MSIZZLE09]

great job!! :)

[@kendraliebe5499]

like

[@Allenballen88]

💞💞💞