Resources for Deaf and hard of hearing students

Students learn and practice ASL at organization meeting.  September is Deaf Awareness Month, and Western Michigan University offers various resources to support Deaf and hard of hearing students. The Office of Disability Services for Students (DSS) offers accommodations catered to the student’s individual needs. “One of my favorite sayings in our office is that we accommodate the symptoms of disability, not the disability itself,” said Deaf and Hard of Hearing Accommodation Specialist Joshua Behymer.  One Deaf student may need American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, while another Deaf student may need CART services instead. Hard of hearing students may need closed captions and for their instructor to use a mic and receiver system. “I’ve had a great experience working with DSS as someone who uses accommodations almost every day,” said WMU senior Ian King. “DSS has helped me tremendously with making my education and experience at WMU accessible.” He continued: “As a Deaf student with cochlear implants, I’ve had the opportunity to advocate for myself, connect with other Deaf and hard of hearing individuals and become more involved in the Deaf community.” Behymer instructed students who would benefit from accommodations to visit the DSS website and fill out the Initial Information form. “Make an appointment online or by calling our office at (269)-387-2116,” Behymer said. “Follow the interactive process with DSS to assess individual needs for access and continue that conversation with instructors or other campus entities to assess what is reasonable in any given setting.”  King is studying Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and minoring in ASL Studies. “My experiences have also given me a different perspective within my major because I can relate to many of the topics we discuss on a personal level,” King said. ASL club is a Registered Student Organization that provides a space for students to practice ASL, connects members of the Deaf community and promotes Deaf culture.  “Being involved has been a great way to connect with other students who are interested in ASL and Deaf culture while also helping create a welcoming community on campus,” King said.  For more information about ASL club, visit their Instagram: @aslclub_wmu.