Ryan’s Story: How Deafness Was No Barrier to Building a Successful Plastering Business

For many people with disabilities, breaking into the job market or starting their own business can feel like an uphill battle. But with the right support, determination, and skills, it’s possible to overcome those challenges — as proven by Ryan Swart, a profoundly deaf plasterer from Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Thanks to the Government’s Access to Work scheme, individuals with disabilities are offered vital support to overcome workplace barriers and achieve their career ambitions. Ryan’s journey is a shining example of how this initiative can help turn challenges into opportunities.

Discovering a New Path

Ryan Swart, a 37-year-old father of two, has been profoundly deaf since birth and has faced significant communication challenges throughout his life. Initially, Ryan pursued a career as a British Sign Language (BSL) teacher, but a decline in demand for sign language courses left him at a crossroads, unsure of his next step.

Reflecting on his school years, Ryan remembered his love for art, sculpture, and technical drawing. Recognising that these creative skills could transfer beautifully into a practical trade, he discovered an interest in plastering — a craft demanding precision, skill, and an artistic eye.

Training to Become a Plasterer

In 2012, Ryan made a bold move and enrolled on a three-year plastering course at Grimsby Institute. From day one, he knew he had found his calling.

“From the moment I started, I just loved it. It was so good to be learning a trade,” Ryan shares.

With outstanding support from his tutor, Justin Beattie, and the provision of high-quality BSL interpreters by the college, Ryan excelled in his studies, quickly mastering both traditional and modern plastering techniques.

Turning Barriers into Opportunities

Despite achieving his qualification, Ryan faced barriers when seeking employment in the construction industry. Many companies expressed concerns about hiring a deaf plasterer, often citing health and safety issues and a lack of deaf awareness on building sites.

Undeterred, Ryan took matters into his own hands and decided to launch his own business: Swart Plaster Mouldings. Specialising in ornate plaster mouldings for historical buildings, lime plastering, and high-quality domestic plastering services in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, Ryan built his company from the ground up.

Access to Work: Making Self-Employment Possible

To help overcome communication barriers in his business, Ryan turned to the Access to Work programme, which provides financial support for disabled individuals in the workplace. Through the scheme, Ryan secured funding for a BSL interpreter, enabling him to effectively engage with clients, manage bookings, and handle administrative tasks.

“Having an interpreter makes all the difference,” Ryan explains. “It allows me to engage with customers, discuss their requirements, and ensure everything runs smoothly. It also helps with managing the business side of things, like scheduling jobs and responding to enquiries.”

Access to Work adviser Rilesh Jadeja highlights the programme’s importance:

“Access to Work provides financial help towards the extra costs faced by disabled people in work so they can have the same choice of jobs as everyone else, in every sector. It can cover things like additional travel costs, specially adapted equipment, or support workers to assist them in their roles.”

A Thriving Business and an Inspiration to Others

Today, Ryan’s business continues to thrive, known for its quality craftsmanship, heritage plastering expertise, and attention to detail. He hopes his story will inspire other deaf individuals and disabled people to chase their ambitions, regardless of the challenges.

“The support is out there, and if you have the passion and determination, you can make it work,” Ryan says. “Being deaf doesn’t mean you can’t succeed — it just means you might have to find a different way to achieve your goals.”

Ryan’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination, skill, and the right support, disability doesn’t have to be a barrier to achieving professional success.