Imagine entering a classroom, a career services office, or a training session—only to find that no one is prepared to communicate with you. This is the reality for many deaf students across the country. Gaps in cultural awareness, outdated policies, and a lack of training for staff create real barriers to access. But here’s the good news: change is possible, and it starts with learning. The National Deaf Center (NDC) is excited to introduce a new learning opportunity: the Deaf Awareness Micro Certificate! Whether you work in disability services, education, postsecondary training, or simply want to deepen your knowledge of deaf communities, this self-paced program is ready for you.
Why Does This Micro Certificate Matter?
The challenges that deaf students face in education and career development aren’t just about communication—they’re about systemic barriers. Low expectations, negative attitudes, and misinformation have long limited opportunities for deaf people. Too often, decisions about accommodations and access are made without real understanding of deaf students’ lived experiences. That’s where this micro certificate comes in.
For many, this program has been an eye-opening experience. As Shannon Bonardy, a Hard of Hearing person, shared, “I enjoyed learning the details about how we can really make systemic changes so that we can make a difference in the lives of marginalized individuals. I will use this information to continue to spread awareness as a Hard of Hearing individual living my truth every day!”
By enrolling in this program, you’ll gain valuable insights to help create more welcoming educational spaces. Through interactive content, reflection exercises, and assessments, you’ll explore key concepts such as:
- Common myths and misconceptions about deaf people
- The impact of systemic barriers in education and employment
- Effective strategies for supporting deaf students in postsecondary settings
- The importance of shifting from a deficit mindset to a solutions-based approach
Small Steps, Big Impact
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it starts with small steps. As you progress through each module, you’ll earn badges that recognize your learning milestones—leading to your official Deaf Awareness Micro Certificate. And yes, you can display that badge on your LinkedIn profile!
Most importantly, you’ll be taking a step toward real change. The course encourages participants to critically examine systemic barriers and how to address them. Robert Sabwami reflected on his experience, saying, “Looking back on this learning journey, it’s become clear how much of a difference community involvement can make when it comes to creating real, lasting change. What really stands out to me is how important it is to actually listen to the people directly impacted by systems—especially when it comes to issues like accessibility and belonging. The communities that face these challenges day in and day out have the best understanding of their own needs, and we can’t make meaningful progress without including them in the conversation. […] In the end, this journey has reminded me that real change comes when we listen to and uplift the voices of those who are affected. From here on out, that’s what I plan to do—put those voices at the center of everything I do.“
The responsibility of creating a welcoming campus doesn’t rest on deaf students alone—it’s on all of us. Many participants, like Elexis Blake, a deaf person, were struck by the stark realities highlighted in the course. “While I was aware of low graduation rates, I was shocked with how low it truly was—especially at the college level. I will take this information, especially the statistics, to continue advocating for marginalized communities.”
Additional Thoughts From Our Micro-Certificate Participants
Ready to Get Started?
The Deaf Awareness Micro Certificate is available any time you are ready! Register today and take the next step in expanding your knowledge and creating more accessible environments for deaf people. If you have questions about how this certificate program can help create a brighter future for deaf students in postsecondary education and beyond, email us at learn@nationaldeafcenter.org. As always, NDC is here to help in any way that we can! For individual support or other inquiries, contact our Help Team at help@nationaldeafcenter.org.
