Courtesy Photo | In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Naval Supply...... read more read more
PHILADELHPIA – In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) Equal Employment Opportunity Activity Committee (EEOAC) hosted the second annual Disability Employment Awareness Month series to raise awareness on disabilities and how they impact the workplace. This year, the events were held virtually and were aimed to provide employees with tools for effective communication.
The Introduction to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Workshop was a presentation created by NAVSUP WSS deaf employees to raise awareness and provide information regarding the culture of the deaf community and American Sign Language (ASL).
“This event showcases ways in which our workforce can support and communicate effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing in simple, everyday activities. While we may not realize it, these tools are incredibly helpful for fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is able to thrive and participate thus supporting the command goal of keeping our Naval forces mission ready,” said Tom Wiechelt, Deputy Director of Nuclear Reactors & Supply Chain Management at NAVSUP WSS, during his opening remarks.
The nexus of the workshop emerged as several supervisors realized a lack of communication tools specifically aimed at working collaboratively with deaf and hard of hearing team members. A couple of supervisors reached out to some of the deaf and hard of hearing employees to create a presentation on how the command could better support their needs in the workplace. This effort led to the expansion of resources for deaf and hard of hearing employees including the hiring of more interpreters, integrating more accessible tools and providing deaf and hard of hearing employees with new technologies and communication devices.
This new workshop offered an opportunity to share experiences about deaf culture and introduced ways for employees to communicate effectively and respectfully with their deaf and hard of hearing colleagues. This has ultimately strengthened employee relations, as shown by participation in these events.
With the support of their colleagues, NAVSUP WSS employees Cassie Blomquist, Scotty Busanic, Evan Moores, and Christopher Zelnio, collaborated to create a short lesson in ASL. Due to the success, impact and positive feedback, the ASL lesson has progressed into what is now the Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Workshop.
Initially, the first presentation in 2018 was provided to a few supervisors, one department, and military leadership in Philadelphia. In October 2019, the presentation was part of the first Disability Employment Awareness Month series for the Philadelphia workforce.
"After the first presentation, we demonstrated ways to improve work efficiency through the use of unique tools and creative processes. Most importantly, we provided input." explained Evan Moores, Logistics Management Specialist at NAVSUP WSS.
Now, because of the max telework environment, the presentation was virtual on Microsoft Teams and available to the entire command at all locations.
Cassie Blomquist, Logistics Management Specialist, added that being a part of this team has continued to be an amazing experience. The deaf and hard of hearing employees expressed that they are proud to be part of a command that supports opportunities in which employees can grow closer through education and inclusivity in a dynamic and changing environment.
The event included a segment on deaf and hard of hearing work culture. This included an overview of appropriate terminology and ways to get a deaf or hard of hearing person’s attention, such as using lights. They also stressed the importance of facial expressions and body language as a means of communication. Just like when speaking, people use tone to indicate their feelings, deaf and hard of hearing folks use facial expressions and body.
Christopher Zelnio, Logistics Management Specialist, explained, “The goal of the training was to enhance peer-to-peer and supervisor-to-employee relationships through improved communication within the NAVSUP WSS community.”
The presenters also discussed audism in the workforce. Audism is a form of discrimination or prejudice aimed against individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A new addition this year, was a segment on the current teleworking environment. They spoke about managing conference calls, the increase in emails and also how technology has been instrumental in keeping colleagues together.
Scotty Busanic, Inventory Manager, says that this presentation helped to build a wonderful bridge between employees, giving them an opportunity to be emphatic of differences and recognize the similarities which has resulted in an ongoing reduction of communication barriers in the workforce.
The event was well attended and employees asked several questions throughout the presentation. Attendees asked how people who are deaf or hard of hearing have been impacted by the CDC recommendation of wearing masks. The presenters explained that it has in fact affected their ability to communicate as masks not only cover the mouth, but also most of the face, therefore limiting the use of facial expressions, which are a vital part of their way of communicating.
Current NAVSUP WSS employees Ashley D'Ambrosio, Garyn Kobryn, and the late Morgan Moore, a former NAVSUP WSS interpreter, actively advocated for the deaf and hard of hearing, and were pivotal to success of this workshop.
Even in the max telework environment, Cassandre Luberus, EEOAC chair said, “The EEOAC is working to bring people together through learning during these unprecedented times.”
The annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month Series is sponsored by the NAVSUP WSS EEOAC. The EEOAC is comprised of a diverse group of employees with different experiences, goals, and ideas, working together to produce programs and events that enrich the culture and education within NAVSUP WSS.
NAVSUP WSS is one of eleven commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsupwss and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2020 11:55 |
| Story ID: | 382953 |
| Location: | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NAVSUP WSS presents Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Workshop, by Tristan Pavlik, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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