Alicia De Barry: How the need to work remotely has affected my teaching career

What next for Deaf people during the pandemic?

Whilst the precautions we have been taking are good, they also come with effects that hearing people don’t necessarily consider.

Take masks, the necessity of them is not up for debate but they sure do make life a lot harder for us deafies. Those in particular who depend upon lip-reading may have found this a struggle.

I don’t know BSL (it is on my list!) but I have created a new sign for when I need people to remove their masks, a pull down sign. I also now wear a badge that says “I lip-read” and I have found this very helpful, I simply point and the hearing person is usually very accommodating.

However, another struggle has risen its head.  A consequence of remote working for deaf people that is not immediately obvious.

I have been working in education for eight years and counting. I started as a Learning Support Assistant (later changed to advisor) and eventually left to work as a Functional Skills Trainer delivering Maths and English. After nearly two and a half years, I have made the decision to leave this role and focus on delivering just English.

Therein lies the issue. It is probably the worst timing as we are still effectively in the midst of a pandemic.

Many people think that remote learning is a good thing, that they are a lot more productive working from home on their own time, that they cut down on emissions as they do not have to drive to and from work, and that they do not have to mingle with grumpy bosses or participate in office gossip.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many advantages to be able to work from home. Many a time I have sat in front of my laptop in my pyjamas, slippers on my feet, hot cuppa in my hand, especially during those cold winter months.

I want to remain working in education, as a PhD student of English; English is really the only thing that I am good at. I love it; I love delivering it, planning it, researching, and helping learners gain confidence in this subject.

So logic dictates that I find a new, similar role with a different company. In my research and applying for these roles, the one requirement that keeps popping up, and that keeps putting me off, is the ability and necessity to engage with and work with learners remotely.

That is, over Zoom, Skype, Teams, etc. including having large classes, an amazing feat because learners from all over the UK can join in and there is no limit to how many can join. Speaking on the phone about learners’ progress and next steps is also a requirement. It is all fantastic, creative, challenging, and engaging.

But I cannot do it. If you are anything like me, you will understand why. I get anxious speaking with people over the computer because I cannot lip-read properly and I cannot hear. This means that job after job that I would love to apply for has gone onto the “No” pile.

It got me thinking, if this is the future of education, and other jobs, how will deaf people work? Does this mean that deaf teachers are leaving the profession? Does this mean that deaf people will not want, or be able to go into teaching?

I am better face-to-face, in a classroom, with real people. Technology is great but I sometimes worry it is leaving us behind. What does the future of education and teaching look like for us deafies?

Alicia De Barry lives in Milton Keynes with her hearing husband, my judgemental cat, and obsequious dog. She currently works as a Functional Skills Trainer. She is never without a book and a cup of Earl Grey in her hand.