Lauren MB Kinast, University of Texas Bambi Riehl, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

What IS the ‘college experience’ for students? Challenges Accessing the “College Experience’ – Actual Experiences Shared – PN2 Research Found Sample Campus Philosophy on ACCESS Survey Respondents Campus Coordination & Budget Models Tools / Steps to Take with You

In the News: the responsibility often falls on individual students to arrange for their own interpreters.” “Presently, there is no centralized system to pay for sign language interpreters at extracurricular events, and the responsibility often falls on individual students to arrange for their own interpreters.” it’s a battle, not necessarily with the ARC, but with the departments here because it is all about money,” “If I ask for interpreters, it’s through the Academic Resource Center, and it’s a battle, not necessarily with the ARC, but with the departments here because it is all about money,” Heather Artinian (COL’15) previously told the Voice.

In the News: ''I find it very frustrating,'' said Collins, speaking in sign language translated by an interpreter. ‘'I feel I have to fight for everything.... I can't relax and have a regular college experience.'‘ ''Social learning - discussion in a cafe, discussion with a professor - shouldn't be considered incidental,'' said Ruth Bork, director of the Disabilities Resource Center at Northeastern. ''It's part and parcel of what you come to college for. It contributes to your growth, to figuring out who you are.''

PN2 Needs Assessment Report Another trend that professionals have noted as a concern is that it is difficult to determine who is paying for the resources available to students who are DHH. One focus group, discussed this in depth, and they tended to agree that the services requested by students are available, but that they are difficult to implement, because there are challenges to finding who would be financially responsible for the service. The professionals believed that the bureaucracy and lack of coordination between departments of the institution created difficulties in attaining financial support for services requested.

PN2 Needs Assessment Report “I think something that frustrates me is when people start doing finger pointing as to who is responsible for providing this, who is paying for this... Is it the faculty? Is it the department? Is it the college? Is it I.T.? Is it disability services?... It would be nice if we could get past the finger pointing because it is the responsibility of the institution.”(professional)

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students are very much a part of campus life at (college). The Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students at (college) provides total access for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and members of the community to all programs and activities at the college. Qualified interpreters and notetakers are provided for classes and for conferences in any campus office. In addition, interpreting services are available for any student club activities, athletic and cultural events.

Responses for: Bill to Department(s) Athletic Events: 34.09% Dept Meeting for Student Workers: 33.33% Fraternity/Sorority/Greek Organizations: 31.58% TIED: Plays / Student Organizations: 28.57% National Conference on Campus: 28.26% Happy Hour with Cohorts: 27.03% Guest Lecture: 26% Career Services/Workshop: 22%

2009 PEPNet Postsecondary Interpreting and Speech-to-Text Survey If your office provides interpreting/captioning services for campus-wide events other than classes, for example, guest lectures, chancellor's speeches, departmental meetings, theatrical performances, etc. which procedure below is used for funding? Answer OptionsResponse Percent We bill back to the department hiring us.28.2% We have general campus funds given to our department to provide the service. 30.9% NA We provide interpreting and captioning services only for academic related needs. 18.2% Other (please specify)22.7% answered question110

2009 PEPNet Postsecondary Interpreting and Speech-to-Text Survey: “Other” Eight Respondents said it comes from Disability Services budget Five Respondents said it comes from Campus General Fund/Administrative Account/Etc. Five Respondents said it is billed directly to Department/Host Three Respondents said they provide Department with referrals and the Department then schedules and covers the cost(s) We absorb the cost. Depts with deaf staff are responsible as of year two of employment (to give the dept time to budget for interpreters). We both, bill back dept, have funds for staff needs and pay from Disability budget on case by case basis. We don’t have in house staff. We don’t have general campus funding, we provide services as our academic related schedules allow.

50% from university general funds to cover costs for accommodations outside of the classroom

What IS the ‘college experience’ for students? Challenges Accessing the “College Experience’ – Actual Experiences Shared – PN2 Research Found Sample Campus Philosophy on ACCESS Survey Respondents Campus Coordination & Budget Models Tools / Steps to Take with You

Compliancy concerns – Departments/Colleges often claim they don’t have the funds (“They’ve never had a request for interpreters before.” Often not planned in their budgets.) – Is it reasonable to hold Student Organizations responsible for the costs of interpreters/CART services? – “If others have access to any programs/events on campus, then ALL should have access.” Budget concerns – Create a line item for each department/college budget? – Institution is accountable as a whole. – Ongoing education to departments/colleges to reserve funds for potential requests.

Community CollegeSmall Sized (5-15 D/HH Students) Campus Medium Sized ( D/HH Students) Campus Large Sized (41+ D/HH Students) Campus /In Person Request to DSS Office In Person Request to DSS Office Request to DSS Office Online Request to DSS Office Student Requests covered by DSS Budget, Revenue Earning Events covered by their Budget, Institution covers all Campus- Wide Events Classroom Related Budget covered by DSS, all others Chargeback 50% Budget from DSS (Student Requests) & 50% Budget (Non- Student Requests) from Institution One Budget (DSS OR Institution) covers ALL Requests, Revenue Earning Events covered by their Budget Student Requests coordinated by DSS Staff, Campus Requests coordinated by Department(s) Coordinated by DSS Staff, Non-Student Requests coordinated by ADA Coordinator Coordinated by DSS Staff

 Review your institutions’ policy about the provision of accommodations for Deaf/HH Students, Faculty, Staff, and Campus Visitors.  If your institution has a ‘de-centralized’ system, is there a tipsheet/guidelines readily available (on your website) for departments/colleges to refer to when securing interpreting or captioning services for a requestor. Include contact numbers for agencies/service providers. Costs to expect/be aware of to incur. Logistical information to have beforehand (script, location, client, etc.)

 Conduct a Survey with your D/HH Students. Inquire about their level of satisfaction with services/accommodations. I am satisfied with the quality of my interpreting or captioning services. What is the most common frustration or hesitation you experience when approaching event host/organizers about accommodations? Have you used the online special request form to request services outside of the regularly scheduled class times? (Yes / No) When I request services outside of regular scheduled class times DSPS has arranged services successfully. (Strongly Agree – Strongly Disagree) What would make your experience with Deaf/Hard of Hearing services better at the University? In what areas of the University have you encountered barriers that still need attention? (Clubs/Organizations, Dining/Food Services, Housing, Rec Sports/IM, Sporting Events, Campus Events, Off Campus Events)