Support for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Students
At Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), we at ACCESS believe equity should never be an afterthought. We intentionally take a proactive approach to support all d/Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing (HoH) students by creating an environment where they feel included and valued. Ultimately, our goal is to create a campus where d/Deaf and HoH individuals are fully integrated into an inclusive and welcoming campus. Students are encouraged to participate in every aspect of college life including extracurricular activities.
To achieve our goal, ACCESS created a division of comprehensive d/Deaf Services. Those services include:
- Outreach to surrounding schools and organizations that serve d/Deaf and HoH population
- Providing resources including advocacy, equipment, and education of rights under the ADAAA in accordance with ACCESS Learning Outcomes
- Providing access to communication, assistive technologies, support to increase independence, and enhance the college experience
- Serving as an information and referral source for campus community members and the public
Services Typically Provided
Academic Accommodations
Academic accommodations for Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) college students ensure equitable access to education through services like American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, real-time captioning (CART), note-takers, and assistive technology. Key accommodations include preferred front-row seating, extended time on tests, captioned media, and for some, specialized Deaf interpreters or tactile communication for visual and, in some cases, deaf-blind students.
Sight Translation of Documents
After registering with ACCESS and being approved for interpreting services, students may request documents to be interpreted from text into ASL. For more information, please contact ACCESS Deaf Services at accessdeafservices@siue.edu.
Training Opportunities
ACCESS Deaf Services offers a variety of learning opportunities to support the postsecondary success of deaf and hard of hearing students at SIUE. If you're interested in learning more please email us at accessdeafservices@siue.edu.
Sign Language Interpreters
After registering with ACCESS and being approved for interpreting services, qualified sign language interpreters will be provided to facilitate all faculty and peer interactions. American Sign Language and/or English-based sign systems are available upon request for conferences, workshops, advising sessions, campus-wide events, and extra-curricular activities (e.g. sports, clubs, etc.) Keep in mind, not all campus events will plan for interpreters, students should submit an Interpreter Request Form ensure accessibility. When submitting your request, please be prepared to share as much pertinent information as possible to expedite the scheduling of the service. ACCESS - Deaf Services works closely with students to tailor services to their individual needs and preferences (e.g. interpreting services, captioning, assistive technology, etc.).
Request Interpreter or Transcriber
Camp Launch
Camp Launch is a camp for young D/deaf individuals that focuses on crucial pre-employment and/or college transition skills that will equip them to successfully navigate life post-high school. To learn more about this exciting and innovative new experience, please contact ACCESS Deaf Services at accessdeafservices@siue.edu!
