Deaf Awareness Week (4 – 10 May) is an important opportunity to recognise the experiences of people who are deaf or have hearing loss, and to reflect on how we can create more inclusive environments in everyday life and at work.
Last year, we marked this week by sharing a blog on communication challenges in construction and how simple changes can make a big difference. That piece led to something far more meaningful than we could have anticipated – it connected us with a local college and Rehan, a student looking for an opportunity in the industry. Read on to learn more about Deaf Awareness Week, Rehan’s story and how we can all communicate more effectively.
Understanding Deaf Awareness Week
Deaf Awareness Week is about raising awareness of the barriers people with hearing loss can face and highlighting how small actions can help break them down.
From visiting shops to travelling on public transport, everyday communication can present challenges that are often invisible to others. In busy environments like construction sites, where noise levels are high and communication is fast-paced, these challenges can be even more pronounced.
The aim of the week is simple – to encourage greater understanding and to show that small changes in behaviour can have a significant impact on inclusion.
Rehan’s story
Rehan Sajid, from Luton, is hard of hearing and speaks orally but also uses BSL to communicate, particularly with his older brother who is fully deaf.
Up until the summer of 2025, Rehan was a student at Barnfield College, taking courses in multi skills and then bricklaying. He gained his Level 2 Diploma in bricklaying and impressed his tutors with his attention to detail.
After seeing our Deaf Awareness Week blog last year, Rehan’s communicator contacted us to explore potential work opportunities. This led to a face-to-face meeting with Rehan and his communicator, where we discussed how we could support him.
We offered Rehan work experience during the summer of 2025, initially based in the office. This allowed us to get to know him, understand his communication needs and ensure we could provide the right support before introducing him to a site environment.
During this time, Rehan quickly demonstrated his commitment and willingness to learn. He arrived early, showed initiative and was keen to understand all aspects of the business, not just brickwork. Our team supported him with presentations and one-to-one time across different functions.
Following this, Rehan visited one of our sites with an interpreter to assess how he would adapt to a live construction environment and how we could accommodate him effectively. The next stage involved developing RAMS and arranging a trial period on site with a supervisory team. Rehan completed this successfully and, as a result, joined us as a trainee bricklayer.
Now 20, he is working with our brickwork team at the Beale Street site in Dunstable, while we support him in achieving his CSCS Level 2 qualification.
Rehan said:
“I first heard about Sheriff through my communicator, Sharon, who saw the company and made contact to support me in finding work opportunities. It went well and I really want to thank her for the support in helping me improve my future prospects.
“I’ve found working at Sheriff really interesting – learning and spending time with bricklayers on site where we talk and help each other. I’m currently working at the Beale Street site, mostly laying blocks, cutting blocks and pointing. Sometimes I take on labouring tasks too, supporting the team by supplying them with mortar and materials like blocks and bricks.
“At Sheriff, I’ve felt well supported as the team is nice and friendly and they teach me tips and skills while I’m learning how to be a bricklayer. I have to be patient as there is much to learn but whenever I need motivation, I now think of a phrase one of my fellow bricklayers told me – ‘nothing is impossible’ – it was great encouragement.”
How to communicate effectively with people who are deaf or have hearing loss
Research shows that many people lack confidence when communicating with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss. However, small adjustments can make a significant difference. Three simple ways to start are:
- Get attention first – Use simple gestures such as waving or tapping lightly to make sure the person is aware you are speaking to them.
- Face the person – Many people rely on lipreading, so it is important to face them and speak clearly.
- Be patient -If something is not understood, repeat or rephrase it. A different approach can often make things clearer.
Additional practical tips
- Ask the individual how they prefer to communicate – everyone is different
- Speak clearly and at a natural pace – avoid shouting
- Rephrase rather than simply repeating the same words
- Reduce background noise where possible
- Use written communication if needed – paper, phones or whiteboards
- Consider using an interpreter where appropriate
If you’re interested in going a step further, why not try learning some basic British Sign Language (BSL) for use in the workplace through this resource HERE.
Building more inclusive workplaces
Creating an inclusive workplace is not about having all the answers – it is about being open, adaptable and willing to learn.
Rehan’s journey with Sheriff Brickworks is a great example of what can be achieved when opportunities are created and the right support is put in place. It also highlights the value of looking beyond perceived barriers and focusing on potential.
As part of Deaf Awareness Week, some of our team have also signed up to a webinar focused on building inclusive workplaces. Sessions like this provide practical insights and help organisations take meaningful steps towards supporting colleagues who are deaf or have hearing loss.
Have you taken steps to make your workplace more inclusive, or do you have experiences to share? We would love to hear your thoughts – join the conversation on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.
05.05.2026
Feature image: Magnific
