Deaf Guidance and Employment Initiative

The collaboration between the Irish Deaf Society and Enterprise Holdings Ireland is an innovative activity with social inclusion at its core – it both aims to support the employability of Deaf individuals through the Deaf Career Project, while also informing professionals about Deaf awareness, culture and ability.

The Deaf Career Project engaged in the delivery of a number of workshops focused on employment skills in a contemporary workplace setting- the aim was to empower Deaf individuals to gain a real time experience of a contemporary work environment, build new relationships in the workplace while also an appreciation as to how to achieve their personal career goals.

Through this collaboration, the initiative aimed to both give power back to Deaf people by promoting greater real dialogue on “what it feels to belong in a workplace” , and by fostering an understanding for colleagues as to the valuable contributions Deaf individuals can make.

The primary objective of this collaboration was to provide relationships between employers and professional colleagues in a real way – Deaf individuals gained the necessary tools and resources for success, while engagement between Deaf and Hearing individuals in the workplace was also facilitated. New and positive relationships were formed.

Why IDS, Why now?

The Irish Deaf Society (IDS) has been a key advocate for the rights of Deaf individuals in Ireland for over 40 years. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to address the challenges faced by Deaf individuals in the workplace, and to promote greater inclusivity and diversity in employment. With this in mind, IDS has taken a leading role in supporting initiatives that aim to empower Deaf individuals to achieve their career goals and to foster greater understanding and engagement between Deaf and Hearing individuals in the workplace.

The collaboration between IDS and Enterprise Holdings Ireland through the Deaf Career Project represents a significant milestone in this effort, and serves as a testament to the commitment of both organizations to promoting greater social inclusion and equality for all. By working together, IDS and Enterprise Holdings Ireland are able to leverage their expertise and resources to support the employability of Deaf individuals, while also raising awareness of Deaf culture and language and promoting greater understanding and engagement between Deaf and Hearing individuals in the workplace.


This initiative is made possible thanks to the generous funding and support provided by Enterprise Holdings Ireland. We are grateful for their partnership and commitment to empowering Deaf individuals in the workplace.

If you would like to learn more about Enterprise Holdings Ireland and their commitment to social inclusion and diversity, please visit their website at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. For inquiries or further information about this collaboration, please contact deafcareerproject@irishdeafsociety.ie

Irish Deaf Society