Deaf News: Study says deaf people fear discrimination from employers

You use the term “fear” as if to suggest there’s some degree of irrationality to it — indeed, there is not. Discrimination against people with disabilities is so overt and prevalent, it’s atrocious. The reason why more people with disabilities don’t sue for unlawful discrimination is due in large part to the fact that it’s so difficult to prove — the bigoted (and usually able-bodied) employer can so easily say “We found a more experienced candidate” or some such excuse. Until people with disabilities find better ways to catch employers red-handed — and turn such evidence to a court of law — the virulent injustice against disabled people means that the only rational way to deal with such an ordeal is to hide your disability as best as you can. Depending on the severity of the disability, this comes easier to some than others. (I use the broad brush of “people with disabilities” here because such employment discrimination applies to nearly all disabilities — not just deafness. I myself am speech-impaired/mute, and have encountered just as much disgusting discriminatory behavior. It’s the reason I too leave out “speech-impaired” on my CV; I have no other choice. Of course, though, I can’t hide it when it comes to the interview.)

I agree that discrimination against deaf people is real. Yet the use of the phrase “fear of discrimination” in the BBC report is correct. One needs to read the whole sentence, not be hung up on a single phrase in isolation. The sentence makes more sense and logical with the word “fear” in it.

Not stating the inability to hear upon applying for a job is indeed wise. This is to prevent the screening out the application upon first sight. You need to go over the first hurdle. Discrimination can be detected better than at the first screening. Chances of proving discrimination increases that way.