Interviews Highlight Employment Challenges and Inclusion Opportunities for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People

To gain a deeper understanding of employment-related issues affecting deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) people, three video interviews were conducted with entrepreneurs and social enterprise representatives whose professional experience is directly connected to this field. The insights gained from the interviews will contribute to the implementation of the international project GREENENTRE4DEAF, which aims to promote green entrepreneurship and support the inclusion of DHH people in the labour market.

In an interview with Indra Seļuka, founder of “Cerību spārni” (Wings of Hope) and manager of the social enterprise “Visi var” (Everyone Can), Edgars Čerkovskis, Director of the EKA University of Applied Sciences study programme “Circular Economy and Social Entrepreneurship”, explored the daily challenges and achievements involved in creating an inclusive work environment for people with special needs.

I. Seļuka also discussed the benefits that other companies gain from cooperating with “Visi var” and outlined the organisation’s future development plans. Her social enterprise serves as an excellent example of how social businesses can combine sustainable practices with the employment of people with hearing impairments.

During the interview with Santa Beitāne, board member of the social enterprise “Mobilizing”, E. Čerkovskis learned about her experience in teaching driving skills to DHH people, cooperation with the Latvian Association of the Deaf, and sustainable tourism projects for people with disabilities. The discussion highlighted accessibility challenges, green initiatives, and future plans to train deaf people as driving instructors.

Meanwhile, the interview with Inga Muižniece, owner of the call centre and social enterprise “Sonido”, where half of the employees belong to socially excluded groups, particularly people with disabilities, emphasised the social and emotional value that people with special needs can contribute to society. The discussion focused on the project “Parunāsim” (Let’s Talk) — a call centre that people can contact simply to have a conversation when they feel lonely. Employees with special needs working in the project have developed strong empathy and are particularly capable of understanding the experience of loneliness.

The interview also addressed the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace, project-related challenges, and successful experiences in employing people with hearing impairments. In addition, I. Muižniece shared her vision for creating a more inclusive working environment.

The project “Stimulating innovative-inclusive teaching and validated lifelong learning on green entrepreneurship for deaf and hard-of-hearing people (DHH) through digital innovation in HEI – GREENENTRE4DEAF” is funded with the support of the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme, KA220-HED “Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education”.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.