Employment support designed around people, not barriers
Many deaf and hard of hearing adults face barriers to employment that have little to do with their skills, motivation or potential.
Inaccessible recruitment processes, communication barriers, limited confidence following negative experiences, and services that aren’t designed with sensory needs in mind can all make it harder to take the next step.
The Sensory Pathway Pilot has been created to do things differently.
Delivered by Living 4 Moments and supported through the Trailblazer Community Grant, this six-month programme provides free, personalised employment support for eligible deaf and hard of hearing adults living in York. BSL interpreters are available throughout the programme to ensure communication is fully accessible and inclusive for all participants.
Whether you’re supporting someone professionally or looking for support yourself, we’re here to help people move towards their own employment goals in a way that works for them.
In partnership with:
Is this programme right for someone you support?
Many deaf and hard of hearing adults face barriers that traditional employability services weren’t designed to remove. The Sensory Pathway Pilot offers personalised, sensory-informed support that meets people where they are.
The Sensory Pathway Pilot is designed for people who may not have found traditional employability services accessible or appropriate. With BSL interpreters available at every stage of the process.
Participants must:
- Be aged 18–25 or 50–64
- Live in York
- Be deaf or hard of hearing
- Not currently be in paid employment
- Be looking to move towards employment, training or other work-related opportunities
If you’re unsure whether someone is eligible, we’d still encourage you to get in touch. We’ll confirm eligibility with the individual before they join the programme.
Why this programme is different
We meet people where they are
Support is delivered through trusted community venues rather than unfamiliar corporate settings. By bringing services into local communities, we’re reducing practical barriers that can prevent people from accessing support in the first place.
Led by lived experience
Our coaching team brings both professional expertise and lived experience of hearing loss and British Sign Language (BSL). We understand that effective support starts with listening, building trust and recognising the individual experiences of each participant.
A personalised pathway
There is no one-size-fits-all programme.
Together, we’ll explore each person’s goals, strengths and aspirations before tailoring support around what matters most to them. Some people may be ready for interviews, while others may want to build confidence, develop communication strategies or reconnect with opportunities before taking the next step.
A whole-person approach
Employment readiness is about far more than writing a CV.
Where appropriate, participants may benefit from:
- One-to-one employment coaching
- Peer support opportunities
- Lipreading classes
- Confidence and self-advocacy coaching
- Interview preparation
- Guidance on workplace accessibility and reasonable adjustments
- Tomatis sensory and motor screening
- Employer liaison where appropriate
The support offered will vary according to each participant’s goals and circumstances.
What success looks like
Success looks different for everyone.
For some people, it may mean securing paid employment. For others, it may involve developing confidence, strengthening self-advocacy, preparing for interviews, accessing volunteering or training, or feeling ready to take the next step towards work.
Our aim is to empower people to achieve their goals—not to fit everyone into the same pathway.
Referring someone is straightforward
You don’t need to gather formal evidence before making a referral.
Once we receive a referral, Rachel from Living 4 Moments will contact the individual using their preferred method of communication to explain the programme, answer any questions and confirm eligibility.
If the programme is the right fit, we’ll collect the information needed to complete the enrolment process, including their address and National Insurance number.
We aim to make the referral process as simple, accessible and welcoming as possible.
Resources for referrers
Need something to display or share with a potential participant? Download our Sensory Pathway Pilot information poster, which provides an accessible overview of the programme and explains how people can get in touch or refer themselves.
Professionals we work with
Referrals are welcome from organisations including:
- Jobcentre Plus
- NHS and audiology services
- Adult Social Care
- Social Prescribing teams
- GP practices
- Housing associations
- Deaf organisations
- Colleges and education providers
- Community and voluntary organisations
- Faith groups
Individuals are also welcome to refer themselves.
Ready to make a referral?
If you’d like to refer someone to the Sensory Pathway Pilot—or you’d like to find out whether the programme is right for you—we’d love to hear from you.
Email: rachel.barber@living4moments.com
Together, we can help create more inclusive pathways into employment for deaf and hard of hearing adults in York.
