Instructors from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester, New York, were in St. Louis on April 12 to conduct their award-winning plenary session and workshop, Working Together: Deaf and Hearing People.

This training event was held at Centene headquarters at 7700 Forsyth Avenue in Clayton. It was cosponsored by Centene, who donated the space and food for the event. Centene’s Chief Diversity Officer, Wade Rakes, was on hand to welcome the attendees.

SDI board members Bill Sheldon and James Frost, who are both deaf, attended the event, welcomed and networked with guests. Frost also gave the closing comments to the session.

This event is coordinated by the Starkloff Disability Workplace Advisors. As part of this program, the Advisors will offer a second course for HR professionals in the fall entitled “10 Best Practices in Disability Hiring.” Further information is available at https://starkloff.org/for-companies/

“If you have deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals in your organization or if it’s an area you want to explore, Working Together: Deaf and Hearing People is an excellent resource,” says David Newburger, Lead Consultant at Starkloff Disability Workplace Advisors.

These award-winning workshops are conducted by professionals from the NTID Center on Employment to help create a workplace environment for both deaf and hearing workers that encourages communication and helps all employees realize their full potential.

Workshop presenters created a fun, comfortable and engaging atmosphere while covering these topics:

• Understanding Hearing Loss
• Communication on the Job
• Strategies to Help You Integrate Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Employees into the Workplace
• Accommodations for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Employees

This course is designed for human resources, diversity and inclusion professionals, and federal contractors looking to meet OFCCP requirements and become more inclusive.

Through partnership with HRMA of Greater St. Louis, the workshop has been approved for 2 recertification HRCI and SHRM credit hours.

Information about all of Starkloff workplace trainings are in our 2018 Course Catalog, which can be downloaded by clicking here.