California Invests $2.7 Million in Employment and Training Services for People Who Are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

SACRAMENTO — A $2.7 million grant is being awarded to support California’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in efforts to find meaningful employment. The Employment Development Department (EDD) selected five organizations to provide specialized employment and job training services to help workers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing who face significant communication barriers that lead to fewer employment and career-advancement opportunities.

According to American Community Survey data, over 3 million Californians are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and the National Deaf Center estimates that only 54.4 percent of people who are deaf are employed in the state compared to 69.7 percent of hearing people. The difference is attributed to significant communication barriers which this new grant aims to address.

The awarded organizations will use the grant funds to provide expanded training and employment services at select America’s Job Center of California locations to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and who are seeking employment. The offered programs will include interpreter services to help participants with communication access at interviews, orientations, and training.

Interpreters will also assist in providing communication access to EDD programs and services.

What They’re Saying:

Patricia Hughes, CEO of Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness: “We are grateful to have received the grant to continue providing employment services for deaf and hard-of-hearing people in CA. This much-needed program ensures direct communication with our consumers through American Sign Language — allowing us to better support their goals and success.”

Ebony Montgomery, Founder & CEO of Preserving the Culture for All: "Employment and training services for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing must be rooted in accessibility, cultural competency, and data-informed strategies that promote sustainable career pathways. At Preserving the Culture for All, we are proud to support evidence-based models that address communication equity, reduce systemic barriers, and align with the goals of California’s inclusive workforce development initiatives. This grant ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are not just supported; but empowered to lead, contribute, and succeed in competitive, integrated employment."

Jesse Lewis, Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center: "Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center is grateful for the opportunity to continue providing dedicated employment services for our Central California Deaf community, thanks to EDD. We truly hope that this funding will serve as a model for other government departments to see how important it is to support our unique community — one that is far too often overlooked."

The following awarded organizations were selected through a competitive application and evaluation process.

This grant is 100 percent federally funded by a grant award totaling $2,699,862.11 from the US Department of Labor, awarded through the Wagner-Peyser Governor’s Discretionary Fund.

For more information about each organization and the services they provide, please contact the awardees listed above.