Job Training and Resources

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing  provides employers a wide array of resources and services, including information, training, technical assistance, and consultation.  The state’s only agency for the deaf and hard of hearing issues can answer employers’ questions or concerns about:

• assistive and telecommunication technology and services

• American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and various communication modes

• captioning services

• federal and state laws related to communication access

• hearing loss and its' impact on communication

• integrating deaf, hard of hearing and deafblind people in your workplace through reasonable accomodations

• interpreting services and interpreter qualifications

• tax credit benefits for employers

• workplace safety

ODHH developed a resource book for the employers to use.  Contact any of the staff to get a hard copy.   

WorkSource Wisconsin (exit DHS) is the employer's guide on disability and resources. 

Looking for a job?  ODHH developed a workbook (PDF, 557 KB) for those who are seeking job or need to brush up their skills.

Resource Directories

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing maintains a Directory of Resources containing local and national resources specifically catered to the unique needs of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.

Service Fund

The Service Fund pays for communication access services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind persons in certain situations not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Communication access services that the Service Fund covers include sign language interpreting and real time captioning. The ADA requires most organizations and other entities to cover the cost of communication access services but if an entity is facing an undue hardship (as defined by the ADA ), the Service Fund may help. The Service Fund may cover situations such as:

• Emergency or Immediate medical or mental health situations

• Support Groups (12-Step, Cancer Survivors, single parent meetings)

• Job-related situations for individuals who do not receive DVR services

• Funerals and Memorial services

• Meetings involving housing and shelter matters

TEPP/TAP

The Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program (TEPP, exit DHS) is to help people with disabilities buy specialized equipment they need in order to use basic telephone services.

The Telecommunications Assistance Program (TAP) provides funds to people who meet income and hearing loss eligibility criteria to enable them to purchase special telecommunication devices, such as a TTY.  TAP also supports Telecommunication Equipment Purchase Program .

Training

The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides training opportunities free of charge to interested businesses, agencies, or organizations interested in improving their understanding of issues relating to the deaf and hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.

U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission developed a document, "Questions and Answers about Deafness and Hearing Impairments in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act".

Additional Information

Americans with Disabilities Act Resource Guide for Employers (PDF, 56 KB)

A Guide for Non-Profit Organizations Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF, 60 KB)

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Last Revised:  February 28, 2013