SignCoders

SignCoders is a social startup where we create digital career opportunities for people with disabilities. We are currently focusing on barrier-free employment for people with hearing impairments. People with disabilities are underrepresented in digital professions. Society offers mainly low-skilled opportunities for them. We are changing this situation by training and employing them. Our concept is pretty unique. Social innovation is at the heart of our approach to open the door to the talent of the hearing impaired community.

The challenge is the underrepresentation of hearing-impaired people in the IT labour market, despite the high demand for qualified workers. Employers are often unaware of the community's specific needs, and they fail to address accessibility. Many deaf workers face difficulties due to generally lower education levels.

As a solution, the SignCoders project created a digital agency which acts as a test lab. The aim of this project is to create an inspiring workplace by breaking down communication barriers. With a sustainable, scalable and replicable, employment model, the project seeks to demonstrate the for-profit possibilities of its goals.

The key actors are the SignCoders staff. These people are able to use sign language at work, increasing the sense of achievement and fulfilling enjoyable, high-quality tasks. The nature of the work ensures employees are enthusiastic, committed, and feel ownership of the organisation. In this way, the company serves them, not vice-versa.

The primary impact of the project is the employment of the disadvantaged. The project also adds visibility for the deaf community and demonstrates the availability of such career paths. In addition, SignCoders places a strong emphasis on raising the awareness amongst wider society, inspiring employers to be more inclusive.

The SignCoders model is transferrable internationally and is planned to be franchised in Europe. Similarities between European sign languages makes this possible. Likewise, the nature of the methodology makes it effective for other underrepresented groups too; the main ingredients being, vocational training, treating people with dignity, and shaping attitudes of wider society.