How Junaid Found Confidence Through Support at JLR

Initially, I hated wearing hearing aids because they made me feel different. Over time, however, they became an integral part of my life. I remember feeling genuinely frustrated as a child if I ever misplaced them, because I relied on them so heavily. They weren't just devices, they were my way of connecting with the world around me. Growing up hearing‑impaired was both emotionally and mentally challenging. Being excluded from social situations had a real impact, but those experiences also built resilience. They taught me to adapt, persevere, and believe that my hearing impairment would never define or limit what I could achieve. 

When I first joined JLR, I was genuinely over the moon. I was drawn to the business because of its brand, global reputation and commitment to diversity, and joining felt like a major milestone in my career. However, it didn’t take long to realise I would face new challenges of my own. I started my JLR journey in a manufacturing environment within the Facilities team. The setting was fast‑paced and noisy, and verbal communication was the primary way people collaborated. Group conversations, background noise and colleagues speaking while turned away made everyday interactions difficult at times. 

I quickly realised that I needed to make a personal effort to be open about what support I needed. I spoke to colleagues and managers, explaining what helped – speaking directly to me, facing me when talking, repeating key points, or sharing information in writing. I was fortunate to have an incredibly understanding and supportive team who listened, adapted, and worked with me. That experience truly brought to life what we mean by inclusion and allyship at JLR. Through perseverance, open communication and the right adjustments, those early challenges became manageable. Over time, mutual understanding improved communication significantly. Thanks to career progression opportunities at JLR, I later moved into a desk‑based Data Engineering role within Finance. This transition made a positive difference, but it was very much a combined effort. I didn’t get here on my own. My managers, colleagues and Occupational Health support teams have all played a vital role in my journey. One key adjustment for me is a receiver connected to Microsoft Teams, which streams audio directly to my hearing aids via Bluetooth. Combined with live captions, this has significantly reduced the amount of information I might otherwise miss and helps me contribute confidently in meetings. 

A common misconception about hearing‑impaired people is that they are difficult to communicate with. In reality, small adjustments such as; enabling captions, sharing key points in writing, or following up conversations with summaries, make communication seamless. It’s also often assumed that all hearing‑impaired people use sign language, whereas many of us communicate orally and rely on lip‑reading, as I do. These inclusive communication practices don’t just support hearing‑impaired colleagues; they benefit everyone.