PAH! Is an American Sign Language (ASL) expression loosely translated to mean “Finally, we made it!”

Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals face unique challenges in the job market. With communications barriers and the sometimes costly accommodation of a qualified sign language interpreter, employers need to be convinced of the benefits of hiring deaf or Hard of Hearing people.

Employment PAH! Began in 2004 and it is a project of the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities. It was funded through Employment Ontario and Service Canada.

Employment PAH! Offers a 15-day workshop over seven weeks to learn fundamental employability skills that are specific to persons who are Deaf and Hard of hearing in the Regions of Peel, Halton and Dufferin who are fluent in ASL and are unemployed or underemployed.

Workshops take a holistic approach and focus on information gathering, majority/corporate culture versus deaf culture, preparing self-marketing materials and setting individual employment goals. Personal belief systems are also examined. The workshops are offered year round.

Individual post-workshop support is offered in ASL for Employment Counselling, Job Development and Post-hiring Support.

If you live outside of Peel, Halton, and Dufferin regions and want to access our services, please contact us for further information.