What’s New: As it honors Deaf Awareness Month, UPS is announcing that in January 2024 it will begin accepting exemptions to the DOT commercial driver hearing standard for small package delivery drivers. In addition, the company is expanding a state-of-the-art training experience built with input from UPSers who are deaf and hard of hearing. Combined, this effort will create new pathways to careers at UPS.
A Culture of Safety & Inclusion: UPS holds itself to the highest safety standards and is proud of its rigorous, industry-leading driver training program. The company also values inclusion as it creates career opportunities around the world.
“Our commitment to inclusion is top of mind as we expand career opportunities for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing,” said Danelle McCusker Rees, president of human resources and operations training. “We’re looking forward to welcoming future UPS drivers while staying true to our unmatched commitment to safety through this new policy.”
Listening to UPSers: Tyler Hansen started at UPS as a part-time truck loader in 2010. When he set his aim on becoming a driver, he enrolled in a training class and passed all requirements. “I learned the training packet word for word; every comma, every period, I knew it all,” he said. He’s now been driving for over 12 years and is among a group of UPSers who are deaf or hard of hearing and working to build the new training program.
Tyler and others provided valuable input while advocating for the Deaf community. Their ideas led UPS to incorporate ASL dialect, smaller trainer to trainee ratios and other personalized approaches.
“From what I’ve seen and learned from this program, it will help future drivers be aware that UPS truly cares about our lifestyle and is making sure we have proper training so that we all can be the best of the best. That makes me proud to work for UPS.”
You belong at UPS: UPS fosters a culture where authenticity, inclusion, transparency, courage and a sense of belonging are the norm in our workplace and in the communities we serve. Read more about inclusion at UPS here.