[Athen] Pandemic Takes a Unique Toll on Deaf College Students

[National Deaf Center]

Online classrooms are not automatically accessible. There must be an
intentional effort to provide access, accommodate needs, and adjust our new
learning environments to serve all students equally.

-Stephanie W. Cawthon, PhD, Director of NDC

Article: Pandemic Taking Unique Toll on Deaf College Students, According to
New Poll
<https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/pandemic-taking-unique-toll-deaf-college-students-according-new-poll>


“As U.S. college students grapple with the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic, a new poll reveals the crisis is taking a unique toll on deaf
students.

Seventy-four percent of deaf college students consider online learning
harder than traditional learning, and many are being denied American Sign
Language (ASL) interpreters, according to a poll by the National Deaf
Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
<https://nationaldeafcenter.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2f3242d5a0cc5030646a177f5&id=4bb76981ae&e=0ca079438f>
at the University of Texas at Austin.

There are over 200,000 deaf and hard of hearing students
<https://nationaldeafcenter.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2f3242d5a0cc5030646a177f5&id=f924c4b151&e=0ca079438f>
enrolled in U.S. colleges, including more than 37,000 late-deafened
military veterans
<https://nationaldeafcenter.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2f3242d5a0cc5030646a177f5&id=7b366cfabb&e=0ca079438f>
.

Denied Accommodations, Social Isolation and Other Anxieties

In the poll, taken during a series of live panel discussions, 60% of deaf
college students report being tired or anxious, and 73% are concerned about
the increase in required reading and writing as a result of the transition
to online learning. They also report:


   -

   Being denied ASL interpreters, frequently due to a university having an
   exclusive contract with an agency that is unable to provide remote services.


   -

   Not having access to all the content being shared online by their peers,
   such as podcasts and audio files.


   -

   Needing expanded tutoring services and more opportunities to connect
   with deaf peers to avoid social isolation.”


Read Full Article
<https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/pandemic-taking-unique-toll-deaf-college-students-according-new-poll>



Remember, NDC is here to support your work with deaf students during this
challenging time and has developed several resources specific to online
learning access. Below are several resources we would like to spotlight
from our COVID-19 information page
<http://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/covid19>:


   -

   Five Tips for Disability Service Professionals to Provide Accessibility
   in Online Classes
   <https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/5-tips-disability-service-professionals-provide-accessibility-online-classes>
   -

   Remember Accessibility in the Rush to Online Instruction: 10 Tips for
   Educators
   <https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/remember-accessibility-rush-online-instruction-10-tips-educators>
   -

   Checklist for Teaching Deaf Students Online
   <https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/news/checklist-teaching-deaf-students-online>


Got questions? See our Your Questions, Answered
<https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/covid19faqs> page for a list of
commonly asked questions regarding accommodations for deaf students. For
specific questions email help at nationaldeafcenter.org or schedule a virtual
appointment <https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/on-call>.

Get Connected! Join our listserv <http://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/signup>
to discuss strategies and to learn how your colleagues are managing access
services for deaf students taking online classes.

Please note as a federally funded program NDC does not endorse or recommend
specific brands, services, or other products.


*See our COVID-19 webpage for updated information, resources, and tips.
<https://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/covid-19-information> *

* NDC | help*
 Savio Chan, Lore Kinast,
 Dave Litman, & Stephanie Zito
 *help at nationaldeafcenter.org <help at nationaldeafcenter.org>*
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