How ZanDraya became the first Deaf Amazonian with a Commercial Driver’s License

ZanDraya Pollock never expected to be the first at anything. She didn’t think she would break barriers. But she had a vision of what she wanted to do.

As a transportation associate at SLC2 in West Jordan, Utah, ZanDraya is living her childhood dream of working as a truck driver. In May, she earned her Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)—a requirement to drive a 53-foot tractor and trailer—and became the first Deaf associate at Amazon to do so.

But ZanDraya’s journey toward a CDL wasn’t simple.

National NewsHuman ResourcesJanuary 20, 2023deaf, amazon, labor, truck, CDL, driver, news, employee, resources, accessibilityComment

Chase opens first bank for deaf and hard of hearing in D.C.

Washington, D.C. (ABC7) — JPMorgan Chase has officially opened the first retail branch designed to serve the deaf and hard of hearing community.

The branch, located in Washington, DC’s H Street corridor, offers state of the art technology and design elements incorporated to best serve people with hearing loss.

The firm is also announcing a new, $250,000 philanthropic commitment to Gallaudet University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute to strengthen career pathways for deaf and hard of hearing students.

“As a bank, we want to make financial services available to all customers, including people with disabilities and their families,” said Jim Sinocchi, Head of Office of Disability Inclusion, JPMorgan Chase. “The technology and design of our new branch will allow the deaf and hard of hearing customers a chance to easily access our services if and when it’s convenient for them.”

The new H Street location will feature Chase’s newest branch design as well as state-of-the-art technology, including:

On-demand video remote interpreting service
T-loop Bluetooth technology that allows employees to speak directly with customers
Remote control camera technology that allows employees to communicate with customers on screens where they are seated in the branch
Digital screens with captions enabled

Read original article here.

National NewsHuman ResourcesFebruary 4, 2020DEAF, bank, design, tech, branch, access, inclusive, employee, asl, customers, bluetooth, financial, servicesComment

Advocating for Deaf-Blind in the Workplace

Deaf-Blind in the workplace is on the increase globally and should be seen as any other employment. Deaf blindness might imply a complete vacancy of hearing and sight, but this isn’t the case. Many who are deaf-blind have some hearing or vision or both. People who are deaf-blind can learn skills to work around hurdles. With assisting and usable technology, people who are deaf-blind can be employed in any type industry and work.

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