Centralized Systems that Promote #DeafSuccess at Colleges and Universities
The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC) partnered with the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) to explain how best to provide accessibility for deaf students and how to make the most of your budget through a centralized system.
Capacity Building on College Campuses
At NDC, we have worked with many colleges to assess their capacity to give deaf students access to the entire college experience. Looking beyond academic classes, colleges also provide various programs, services, and activities for all students, such as student organizations, residential life, athletic events, health services, study abroad, and on-campus work experiences.
Faculty Play a Key Role in #DeafSuccess
Deaf students are attending postsecondary institutions at higher rates than ever before, but the attainment gap has only slightly narrowed in the past decade. Faculty members play a central role in supporting accessible learning environments for deaf students in postsecondary education and training settings. Dr. Stephanie Cawthon, faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin, shares insights and data from NDC’s ACCESS survey.
The Importance of Student Feedback to Improve Campus Access
Every deaf student is different, with varying communication preferences that depend on people, setting, and contexts. With this in mind, disability services offices must take into consideration the experiences of deaf students to determine the most effective accommodations for each situation. To do this, you need to create opportunities for students to share their experiences and feedback about the accommodations they are using. Encouraging and actively seeking this feedback will strengthen student engagement and ensure students have equitable opportunities to participate in all aspects of the college experience.
Looking Beyond Academic Access
The legal minimum, while perhaps legally sufficient, does not ensure deaf students have full access to the same experience as their peers, both in and out of the classroom, nor does it guarantee positive outcomes. To foster inclusive settings for all students to thrive that go beyond just being “good enough,” access must be viewed as a multifaceted framework that is part of the policies and practices at every level of the institution.
Madison College Embraces Change for #DeafSuccess
NDC provides individualized support for creating more accessible environments and ensuring equitable experiences for deaf students on campuses across the country.
NDC spoke with Scott Ritter, director of disability resource and testing and assessment services, and Jana Mauldin, senior interpretation advisor and coordinator, from Madison College to tell us about their experiences partnering with NDC.
Learn to create an inclusive campus in NDC’s new course
Deaf college students across the country continue to feel left out and overlooked on campus. In a report released last week by the National Deaf Center, deaf students rated accessibility at their campus at a 3.2 out of 5. Let’s change that.
