Accessibility - Stories of Experience

Interview Greet and Prewien

Greet and Prewien are colleagues of each other and work at the municipality of Zoetermeer. They were both born deaf.

Accessible workplace

An accessible workplace is very important to Greet and Prewien. Prewien: "Because we have an auditory disability, it is more difficult for us to communicate with colleagues. But that communication is very important to do our work well." Greet adds: "I would like deaf and hearing colleagues to understand each other better. That way we avoid misunderstandings. If colleagues articulate very clearly, I can follow half of the conversation. But it is very tiring to watch someone's mouth so intently."

But how do you make a workplace more accessible?

Prewien: "There are some tools that would already help us deaf employees a lot. The obvious one is a sign language interpreter who is present not only at meetings, but also at courses and the familiarization process. But a special Microphone Kit can also be used: this device captures conversations and converts it live to text on your mobile. This way, deaf and hard of hearing colleagues can read what is being said." According to Greet, it would be very nice if colleagues learn sign language. "When sign language is used, there is more contact. Otherwise you sit by yourself and feel further and further away from the rest of your colleagues." Prewien adds: "Even if colleagues only learn the words 'good morning' and 'coffee' or 'tea.' Then we feel more welcome and this way we can also participate in a conversation." Greet: "I think it is important that deaf and hearing colleagues can also have short conversations in Dutch sign language."

Tips for a more accessible city

Prewien and Greet also have a number of ideas to make Zoetermeer more accessible. Greet: "For example, there are deaf actors in the Netherlands. It would be great if these deaf actors also came to perform in the Stadstheater. That way we too could attend a performance. And it would be great for deaf Zoetermeer children if an interpreter could be present at the reading times in the library. That way deaf children can also listen to a story. I would also love it if Zoetermeer schools and employers offered a course in Dutch Sign Language. At school children do learn German, English and French, but there are also many deaf people in the world who want to be understood."

Prewien: "It is very important to pay enough attention to employees with hearing impairments. Instead, look at the possibilities rather than the impossibilities."

Interview Pieter-Bas Graafland

Pieter-Bas Graafland has been living in Zoetermeer for 3 years. He works at library Forum. "Among other things, I am responsible for the newsletter here. I'm responsible for the layout of the newsletter and make sure that the pieces delivered are processed nicely. I like working with people and I enjoy thinking together with my colleague about how to make the newsletter as fun and interesting as possible."

Pieter-Bas also does volunteer work: he is an assistant gym teacher for disabled children. "I supervise the children and keep an eye on them. In addition, it is also important to be there for the children and listen to them when they need it. My volunteer work I do with heart and soul."

A good workplace for Pieter-Bas

"My legs and left arm are paralyzed, I was born that way. I am in a wheelchair, so it is important that I have an accessible workplace at my disposal. For example, a table at an adjustable height is important. And at my workstation, of course, I also need a wheelchair-accessible toilet large enough to turn my wheelchair in. Because I can only work with one hand, I work a little slower. So the time pressure has to be less for me."

Advice for employers

"Look carefully at what an employee can do and needs to do the job. Make sure there are tasks the employee enjoys, but also make sure there are enough challenges and new opportunities. It is important to look at the person behind a disability. Now you quickly get some kind of stamp, while there is much more behind someone than just a disability. Instead, look at someone's motivation to work and learn. Fortunately, we are already working well on this throughout the Netherlands."

Supplement Joris

Joris Fabrie is a work supervisor at Middin (Werken met begeleiding Zoetermeer). He helps young people with disabilities find a suitable workplace. He also supervises these young people, including Pieter-Bas, in their work.

"At Middin, we assist clients with disabilities. We try to help clients participate in society as much as possible. Together, we look at where their strengths lie and what they like to do. We then look for a suitable workplace. The supervisors help the clients with what they need in their work. Some young people have now moved on to independent work!"

Interview Tim

Tim works as a functional administrator at the municipality of Zoetermeer. Tim has hearing problems and Asperger's. Asperger's is a form of autism.

Office Garden

"I have been working as a functional administrator at the municipality for 2 years. When colleagues have a technical problem, they report it. I handle these reports. I used to prefer to work in a quiet, private room with only my immediate colleagues. But now I work in an open-plan office, so that took some getting used to. Because of my hearing problems, I am sensitive to all the sounds around me. But with a hearing aid I am doing well and I have also gotten used to the open-plan office. If I really need to concentrate I put on headphones."

Good guidance

"When I joined the municipality, I worked in the human resources department. I had a very committed supervisor, with whom I had a meeting every two weeks. Together we would check whether I was too busy, if there were any problems I was facing or just how I was doing. I really liked this involvement. After a while I was ready for a new challenge and that's how I ended up in my current position. Because I am very social, many people don't know that I have Asperger's. But I am really a routine person. My work as a functional administrator is very structured. I have a list of notifications and I work through them. So this work is very orderly and therefore suits me well."

Give people a chance

"I started at the municipality as a participation officer. First I had a monthly contract, then a one-year contract and now I have progressed to my current position. I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given and extremely proud of what I have achieved. That is why I think it is so important that employers give more people a chance. There are many people who really want to work, but perhaps need more guidance or some adjustments to a workplace. With the right support they can be very valuable to an organization."