Specialized Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Harper College has been providing a program for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students since 1973, serving between 45 to 50 students each year. The program has served local deaf and hard of hearing students, in addition to drawing enrollment from other parts of Illinois, neighboring states and internationally.  Services and instructional support beyond those which are legally mandated are a hallmark of the program.

Specialized instructional support offered includes:

• A combined English / reading course for improving your skills
• Courses in MTH 050 or 060 for improving your skills
• Courses in Career Development and Study Skills
• A course in Deaf Culture
• Tutoring for many other courses  

Kimball Hill Family Deaf Institute  The College has developed a smart classroom funded by the Kimball  Hill family (Harper Board and Foundation Board members of our community) for use as an instructional lab. This smart classroom is equipped with computers for group and independent learning.
	Student presents in class.

• Expanded captioning services in the classroom and for captioning of audio/visual media
• Expanded availability of assistive listening systems for hard of hearing students
• A summer Bridge Program for new deaf students that occurs each August. This program helps prepare students for their first semester in college.
• Expansion of tutoring services

Academic advising and counseling

Deaf and hard of hearing students work with a counselor who is bilingual in English and American Sign Language. The counselor provides them with guidance and advice about career and transfer programs, and assists students with obtaining support while attending college and making the transition to employment after leaving Harper.

Social activities

Deaf and hard of hearing students participate in an annual DeaFest, a cultural celebration that takes place each fall. DeaFest provide students with the opportunity to participate in athletics, clubs and other campus programs. Interpreters are available to facilitate their campus involvement.

Accommodations

Access and Disability Services (ADS) offers accommodations to all students with documented disabilities.  Call 847.925.6266 voice or videophone, or 847.925.6011 TTY,  to make an appointment with your ADS counselor to discuss accommodations.  As a Deaf or Hard of Hearing student, you may be eligible for one or more of the following accommodations:

• Interpreting Services 
• Note-taking Services
• Classroom Captioning Services
• Captioned Media:  Upon request, ADS staff will research to determine if a captioned version of an instructional video, CD, or DVD is available.  If a captioned version is not available, ADS will either create a captioned version or will provide a sign language interpreter to interpret a non-captioned version.