Accessibility in Education

Hearing Disability

A person with hearing disability can only perceive sounds of high levels. Mild hearing disability: a person with mild hearing loss who can perceive sounds below 50db. Moderate hearing disability: a person with moderate hearing loss who can perceive sounds between 50 to 70db. Severe hearing disability: a person with severe hearing loss who can only perceive sounds above 71db.

Post Secondary Support Process

Disability Support Office - Contact this office as soon as possible. Find out the following about the prospective school and the support office you will be working with:

1. What are your documentation requirements for my disability?
2. What accommodations would I be eligible for?
3. How does the institution carry out those accommodations?
4. How many students w/ disabilities utilize your services?
5. How many staff work in your office?
6. What types of assistive technologies are available at your school?
7. Does your school support an integrated model of support?
8. Can you tell me about housing?
9. How many students with hearing disabilities are enrolled?
10. Do you have a strong hearing disability culture?

Application - For the most part, the application process is supposed to be equal for all students. At times, though, there may be some other avenues of access into the institution. This information should be available from the admissions office.

Housing - As soon as a school is chosen, the application for housing should be sent in ASAP with an indication of special housing needs such as a visual door knocker or visual fire alarms. Housing should either have a person on staff capable of accommodating requests or they should be in contact with a person in the Disability Office capable of assisting with housing accommodations.

Academic Accommodations - This is going to be an interactive process between you, the Disability Office, your faculty and possibly interpreters. The starting point is the Disability Office where they will help determine what types of accommodations are available to you. The faculty will then decide on whether or not the accommodation request fundamentally alters the programs pedogogical intent. If the request does not alter, the next step is implementing the accommodation. Typically, students with hearing impairments can expect assistance with auditory accommodations such as "wired" classrooms or infrared systems for amplification or the use of qualified interpreters.

Institutional Interaction - Once again, this is an interactive process between the student, the Disability Office and the event / interaction that the student intends on attending. Typically, the institution is responsible for offering auditory material through an alternative format such as having an interpreter for a guest speaker.

Assisstive Computer Technology and Hearing Disabilities

The world of assistive technology grows at such a rate that it becomes difficult to keep up with new offerings. This makes for a difficult assessment process. The purpose of this resource is to draw attention to specific issues and appropriate resolutions as they are applied to computer access in an educational environment. It sould be noted that recommendations found here have stemmed from trends found in AT use. As always with the implementation of any resource, the technology should be evaluated by the individual prior to assuming the appropriate fit has been found.

Students using Amplification

Individual's Characteristics - For someone who utilizes amplification, it can typically be expected that they possess average intellectual, physical, and auditory abilities.

Computer Workstation - Typically, an average workstation will be appropriate. The main issue is making sure that the worksation is not in a secluded location that they would miss auditory communication. At times, a headset is appropriate if computer volume needs to be turned up to a level that might distract other students. For example, listening to a required classical music piece in the library at at distracting level might impede the learning environment so a headset would be appropriate for any student.

Computer Input - Usually not a concern with this population.

Computer Output - This piece comes down to how well the developer of the software or website has created with accessibility in mind. They are supposed to provide captioning with all auditory material which can be accessed in multiple formats. The best and most stable source for turning on captions with a specific player is to search for "captions" in the help menu of the particular player.

Communication Devices -

• Signtel Interpreter Is a software package for translating text, or even speech, into sign language on PCs. With a notebook PC, SignTel Interpreter provides a way for individuals who are deaf to participate more fully in meetings, especially when a human interpreter isn't available. Voice-Operated PDA
• KeyWi2 Enables a laptop computer to become a complete communication device without the need for an external synthesizer. Create entire conversations, call an instructor on the telephone, manage school or personal affairs.

Note - Some information comes directly from the owning organization and has in-line reference links provided. If you have difficulty with any of the in-line references or would like to find out more about the information provided, please contact us and we will point you in the right direction.