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Joining Diageo in September as a business analyst on our Digital & Technology Graduate Programme, Jephta is sharing his story about navigating this transition as part of the Deaf Community, and his experience of Life at Diageo so far.
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by how technology can empower people and improve lives, particularly within the Deaf community of which I’m a part of. Technology is an essential tool for enhancing diverse communication and when used thoughtfully, it creates fairer opportunities.
Yet for Deaf people, technology has often excluded us when accessibility has not been considered in the design process. Inclusive design and system innovation create better outcomes for everyone. In all aspects of work and life, it’s important that diverse perspectives are represented, and my graduate programme is an exciting opportunity to progress as a Deaf professional. My role focuses on AI to ensure those needs are understood from the very beginning as curiosity, empathy and diverse perspectives shape the technology.
I’m proud to be part of Diageo as diversity of thought is celebrated, which ensures our systems are truly innovative. For me, D&T should always be built with people in mind, not just for efficiency but dignity and fairness.
Of course, I’ve faced challenges growing up. I attended a mainstream school and university, where I was often the only Deaf individual. Even within my own family, I’m the only person who is Deaf, so I have a unique outlook on society. The barriers I’ve experienced are because society is designed without Deaf people in mind. When my parents realised I was Deaf, they immediately learned British Sign Language (BSL) to ensure I had the same opportunities as others. BSL is a separate language from English with its own grammatical structure. It involves a combination of shapes and movements, lip patterns, facial expressions and body language.
To say that I was nervous to join Diageo is an understatement. Though I’ve navigated predominantly hearing environments throughout my life, I was unsure how Diageo would respond to my circumstances. Unlike most of my graduate cohort, I must work harder when communicating. However, since joining, I’ve experienced a sense of belonging. Like my parents, my colleagues embraced the culture of BSL and made it part of life at Diageo, thanks to the Early Careers Team. The team arranged two BSL sessions for our graduate cohort across the UK and Ireland, and my fellow graduates learned about the history of BSL, common greetings and the basics of fingerspelling.
Witnessing my colleagues begin to understand Deaf culture on a deeper level was incredible, especially when they learned to sign my favourite dram, Johnnie Walker Blue Label. I resonate with the brand as its notions of inclusivity affirm how Diageo continues to “Keep Walking” towards a more inclusive world.
My first month at Diageo has made me think more broadly about the importance of community and sharing our unique experiences to uplift one another.
Follow along as I teach you some useful BSL fingerspelling in the video below.
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