Do Anything: Using Technology to Address Hearing Loss

Harmanpreet, our guest blogger on nAblement.com

Harmanpreet Kaur is our first of hopefully many guest bloggers on nAblement.com who will tell their story about living and working with disability. Harman is an IT consultant with nAblement.

For many people with disabilities, attaining employment or even getting fair consideration for a position from a potential employer can be difficult. I have experienced some challenges. Today technology has changed the landscape of employment opportunities for persons with a disability. A person with a disability can now be just as productive in several fields of employment as a person without a disability. In fact, in a virtual work environment, you don’t need to lead with your disability.  I came to that realization this week during an email conversation with one of my teammates. In a face-to-face work environment, I use cochlear implants and I can read lips very well. This really helps my career and working with people who can hear. I do my best to live day to day and given the opportunity and resources, do quite well despite the challenges I face.

To me, working as a software developer was clear evidence that having a disability can be a complete non-issue as far as job performance goes. For me, it is not letting my sensory limitations overshadow my abilities. It is about seeing what is possible in spite of any barriers. You judge to see if people will accept you or not. You need to stand up for yourself and be strong and say I can do anything that people with normal hearing can do.

Tagged as: cochlear implants, disability and career, hearing loss