For nearly two years, Lisa Peterson has been applying to entry-level jobs at restaurants, grocery, and department stores.

Most of the time, she doesn't make it past the first interview.

For deaf adults like Peterson, finding work isn't easy.

Either they take a position that requires little one-on-one communication, or employers must hire a sign language interpreter, which can cost the business more than $100 an hour.

Once hired, some deaf adults say they struggle to attain promotions or feel a sense of belonging at work, especially when there are few other deaf people around.

To help job seekers, California's Employment Development Department helps provide career counselors for the deaf within the state's publicly run job centers.

Drez Brownridge got a job at Amazon, where they made around $17 an hour, working nights, loading boxes, and later storing goods.

Brownridge repeatedly applied for new jobs at Amazon, hoping to make at least $25 an hour, but they never moved up.

Brownridge left Amazon in 2022 and enrolled at a community college in the Bay Area, where there is a large deaf community.

For CalMatters, I'm Adam Echelman.