Mallory
First Name
James
Last Name
Mallory
Department
Learning Consortium
Scholarship Year
2025
Research Center
Non-Center Based
Scholarship Type
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Contributors List
Anderson Lee, James Mallory
Project Title
Expanding Tech Talent Empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Start Date - Month
January
Start Date - Year
2022
End Date Anticipated - Month
August
End Date Anticipated - Year
2022
End Date Actual - Month
March
End Date Actual - Year
2
Review Types
Invited Paper
Student Assistance
None
Projected Cost
$0.00
Funding Source
Other -
Resulting Product
Dissemination of Proven Techniques for Certifying and Employing DHH
Citation

Mallory, James and Anderson Lee. "Expanding Tech Talent Empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students." NDEAM 2025 - 80th Anniversary Celebration and Conference. Gateway Technical College. Racine, Wisconsin. 14 Oct. 2025. Keynote Speech. ∆

Abstract

This presentation highlights a collaborative initiative between CompTIA and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology to strengthen career outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals entering technology fields. The program integrates pre-employment support, technical bootcamp training, certification preparation, and direct placement into entry-level IT and technical roles. Key strategies include resume and LinkedIn development, mock interviews, and direct engagement with employer partners to address misconceptions about DHH employees. The project identifies persistent challenges such as employer hesitancy and lack of successful workplace examples while demonstrating effective solutions through pipeline development, targeted training, and sustained partnerships among educational institutions, workforce agencies, and employers. Early results reveal growing acceptance and enthusiasm among companies once exposed to qualified DHH candidates. This model offers a scalable framework for building inclusive, skilled, and loyal technology workforces nationwide.

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