EFHOH took part in the Disability Employment Package Mutual Learning Seminar for Employment Services, held in Berlin on 1-2 September 2026.
Representing EFHOH, Lidia Best, President of EFHOH, presented EFHOH’s work on the Hearing Loss Inclusive Employment Toolkit, highlighting the importance of customised support and accessible workplace practices for hard of hearing people.
During the event, EFHOH promoted the new German version of the Hearing Loss Inclusive Employment Toolkit, expanding access to practical guidance for employers, employment services, and other stakeholders.
The seminar also provided an opportunity to share the printed toolkit with Katarina Ivanković-Knežević, Director for Social Rights and Inclusion at DG EMPL, and Monika Chaba, representing the European Commission’s Disability and Inclusion Unit (EMPL.D.3), reinforcing the importance of inclusive employment policies and practices across Europe.
In addition, EFHOH presented a preview of its upcoming publication, The Sound of the Office, which uses illustrations and comics to explore the everyday experiences, challenges, and solutions encountered by hard of hearing professionals in the workplace. The publication will be officially launched in the coming days.
The event also offered valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration. Lidia Best met with Gudrun Brendel, Vice President of the Deutscher Schwerhörigenbund (DSB), an EFHOH member organisation, to exchange updates on current activities and discuss future cooperation.
EFHOH Board Member Paulina Lewandowska and volunteer Karina Chupina, who contributed to the development of the Employment Toolkit, also attended the seminar. Drawing on their lived experiences as hard of hearing people, they actively contributed to discussions on inclusive employment and workplace accessibility.
EFHOH thanks the European Commission and the organisers of the seminar for facilitating valuable discussions on improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities across Europe.
