Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Overview
The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive university experience for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Through individualized support, accessible communication, and collaboration with faculty, staff, and campus partners, we work to ensure equitable access to academic programs, services, and campus activities.
Our approach emphasizes accessibility, universal design for learning (UDL), and inclusive practices that foster meaningful participation and a sense of belonging across the university community.
Students who are Deaf or hard of hearing are encouraged to connect with DPRC to learn more about available services, accommodations, and resources that support their educational experience.
If you would like to learn more about whether these accommodations may be right for you, please register with the DPRC to meet with a specialist and learn more.
Request Interpreting or Real Time Captioning for Non-Classroom Events
FAQ for Students
What is interpreting?
Interpreters facilitate communication between signed and spoken languages. Interpreters sign everything that is spoken and voice everything that is signed. They also abide by a strict Code of Professional Conduct. They are to transmit the message by maintaining the original intent and meaning of the speaker to the receiver. Interpreters are to remain neutral and do not share personal opinions or advice. Furthermore, interpreters are obligated to respect confidentiality.
What is real time captioning?
Real-time captioning is an accessibility service that converts spoken communication into written text as it happens. This allows students who are Deaf or hard of hearing to access lectures, classroom discussions, presentations, and other academic activities in real time.
What’s the difference between real time captioning and multimedia captioning?
Real time captioning is performed at the same time a speaker is communicating. Multimedia captioning is applied to videos, podcasts and other forms of recorded media that use spoken language.
Students who have difficulty following spoken communication in lectures, classroom discussions, etc. may be approved for real time captioning. Students who have difficulty following spoken communication in videos, podcasts, etc. may be approved for multimedia captioning.
Can I use my hearing aid in class?
Yes! Students who use hearing aids, microphones and other listening devices are welcome to use those devices in class. The Assistive Listening Device accommodation supports students and instructors in implementing these devices in the classroom.
Will DPRC provide a hearing aid for me to use in class?
Hearing aids are generally personal devices that DPRC is not able to provide/loan out to individuals. However, DPRC does maintain a limited supply of assistive listening devices, microphones and other tech that may be loaned to students on a case-by-case basis. If you do not have a hearing aid and believe that audio amplification would be helpful to you, please reach out to your DPRC specialist.
What are my responsibilities when using interpreting/real time captioning?
Please view the Student Responsibility Guidelines further down on this page to read through an overview of student responsibility guidelines when using the accommodations of interpreting and/or real time captioning.
Can I request interpreting/real time captioning for events outside the classroom?
Yes. Students who have been approved by the DPRC for interpreting and/or real time captioning are welcome to use the appropriate accommodation for communication access at any campus event. Examples of appropriate campus events include visiting office hours, appointments with Academic Advising, visits to Financial Aid or any other campus office, club meetings and poetry readings. Students registered with the DPRC should log into myDPRC and navigate to “My Accommodations,” “Deaf and Hard of Hearing,” and “Custom Requests” to make a request for interpreting or real time captioning outside of regularly-scheduled classes.