I'm profoundly deaf too. My experience is people care less about that and more about your willingness to get stuff done.
You've already got a good start by just being on HN. That's how I ended up in my current situation working for a startup.
I've worked for other companies big and small. Nobody really cares that you're deaf, although I can imagine it'd be difficult when you're trying to get an elevator pitch across. Haven't had to do that yet. You naturally figure out methods of communicating with people, especially on a one-one basis, as you start working with them more. Group situations have always (and probably always will) suck for me, though.
As for teleconferences, we have video relay here in the US so I've used that. Probably just as painful for me as everyone else in the conference, though.
It's a good thing that so much is done over IM/email/IRC these days, that makes things a lot easier for folks like us. Good luck.
Comments
I'm profoundly deaf too. My experience is people care less about that and more about your willingness to get stuff done.
You've already got a good start by just being on HN. That's how I ended up in my current situation working for a startup.
I've worked for other companies big and small. Nobody really cares that you're deaf, although I can imagine it'd be difficult when you're trying to get an elevator pitch across. Haven't had to do that yet. You naturally figure out methods of communicating with people, especially on a one-one basis, as you start working with them more. Group situations have always (and probably always will) suck for me, though.
As for teleconferences, we have video relay here in the US so I've used that. Probably just as painful for me as everyone else in the conference, though.
It's a good thing that so much is done over IM/email/IRC these days, that makes things a lot easier for folks like us. Good luck.