Capacity Building on College Campuses

This image appears to be in the hallway of a school and students are seen walking and looking at something in their hands maybe a book or mobile phone.

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.

The Importance of Student Feedback to Improve Campus Access

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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

This shows some young kids/ students walking towards a building with mentions " Donald W Reynolds Center". They have their backpacks and water bottles. This appears to be a campus.

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

This image is of woman dressed in a yellow top and grey jeans holding a red folder and some thin books. The picture is taken outside and there seems to be some steps. She is wearing eyeglasses.

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.

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