Deaf Independent Living Association, Inc. Offers Free Employment Services

Online, April 23, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Salisbury, MD - Deaf Independent Living Association, Inc. (DILA) is offering free specialized Employment Services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals who live in the State of Maryland. No referral is necessary to apply for these free employment services.

The services provided entails a specially designed job seeking skills course utilizing the PLATO Curriculum, an introduction to the Job Lab containing employment resources to secure employment, employer networking to assist employers with bridging the communication gap between deaf and hard of hearing employees, and on-the-job training, a free service to employers who hire deaf or hard of hearing individuals. Transportation can be provided upon request.

The job seeking skills course is offered monthly, Monday-Friday from 10am-2pm for four weeks. This course will allow deaf and hard of hearing individuals to work at their own pace and assist them in communication skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques, business etiquette, how to select and get the job they want plus much more. Once the course has been completed, DILA's specially trained staff continue to assist the individuals in applying, interviewing, training and retaining the job of their choice.

DILA's Employment Program is designed to help eliminate many of the traditional employment barriers faced by deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the work force. Specially trained staff members, who are fluent in American Sign Language, work with deaf and hard of hearing job seekers and the business community to match job applicants to vacancies. Through carefully guided and individualized employment plans, the job seekers find suitable careers of their choice and gain employment. In addition, DILA serves as an employment agency to businesses looking for qualified applicants. DILA has successfully placed 21 individuals and is currently working with 55 others in finding employment. Further information about the Employment Program may be found at www.dila.org or by contacting 410-742-5052 V/TTY, 1-866-947-6923 VP or email [email protected].