This study was created as a result of discussions among Deaf stream practitioners about their challenges with meeting the individual needs of learners with employment goals; their comments about the importance of working toward independence goals in the classroom; and G.O.L.D.'s (Goal: Ontario Literacy for Deaf People) own lack of understanding about the importance and weight of workforce literacy activities in the Deaf stream literacy classroom.

The research explores the workforce realities and popular job types currently held by Deaf individuals in Ontario; outlines employment goals of current Deaf and Deaf blind Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) learners, and; creates a baseline of current workforce literacy activities performed and resources used in the Deaf and Deaf blind literacy stream classrooms.