The Deaf Society Employment Service can provide Post-Placement Support for its clients for a period following starting new employment, depending on the circumstances. Services include:

• communication
• help adapting to a new workplace
• support with HR expectations
• Auslan interpreting and interview support
• OH&S checks
• access to Complementary Programs

These services are only available to registered clients of the Deaf Society Employment Service.

Complementary Programs are government funded incentives to support the employment of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They include:

• Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) - financial assistance to purchase a range of work related modifications and services to assist people with disability in the workplace.
• Interpreting for Interviews - through the Employment Assistance Fund, all clients are entitled to Auslan interpreting in the workplace including job interviews, job induction, meetings and training.
• Workplace modifications - through the Employment Assistance Fund, all employees who are deaf or hard of hearing have the right to workplace modifications. Modifications for a deaf person's workplace may include audio loop systems, visual alarms, pager systems, volume control telephones and TTYs.
• Wage Subsidy - payable on completion of 13 weeks of continuous work. The Wage Subsidy Scheme is only eligible to clients who are employed into eligible vacancies.
• Supported Wage System (SWS) - a process that allows employers to pay less than the award wage by matching a person's productivity with a fair wage.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
An employer is responsible to make sure that there:

• is no unlawful discrimination or harassment in the workplace
• are rules, policies, practices and behaviours in the workplace to make sure people are not disadvantaged because they have a disability or belong to a particular group

To find out more about the EEO requirements set by the NSW Government, click here.

12 Disability Standards
All employers must provide employment conditions that follow Federal Government legislation. The conditions are summarised into twelve quality standards, called The 12 Disability Standards, which form part of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

Advocacy
If you are having trouble accessing services or feel that you are being discriminated against, the Deaf Society can help you.

For information about the rights and responsibilities of people who are deaf, click here.

Employers are also required to adhere to legislation. For more information, click here.

For more information about the Deaf Society Advocacy Service, click here.