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Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services

Acquiring Accommodations

  • Students who need communication access related accommodations for academic and campus events must first register with the Student Accessibility Resource Center (SARC).  
  • Appropriate medical documentation verifying hearing loss, along with recommended accommodations from a licensed audiologist or physician must be submitted in advance of services.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to schedule an introductory meeting with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Coordinator to discuss accommodation needs and create a communication access plan.  Additionally, regular communication with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Coordinator is recommended.

 

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services

  • Captioning sometimes referred to as “speech-to-text”, provides a critical link to communicating aural information as it is happening. Streaming text is displayed live in real time on a laptop screen, ipad, or other visual system operated by a Captionist who is either in the room sitting next to the student or streaming remotely.
  • Transcripts of the class or event are sent to the student within 24 hours.
  • WKU-SARC Captionists are certified by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the use of C-Print Captioning Software.
  • If you are student needing a Captionist for an academic or campus-related event, you will need to make the request at least 14 days in advance via e-mail to sarc.connect@wku.edu or by meeting with the Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Coordinator.
  • If you are not a WKU student and need Captioning for an academic or campus related event, you must make contact with the WKU Department who is hosting the event or program to arrange your accommodations.
  • Sign Language Interpreting allows individuals who use Sign Language as their primary mode of communication to have access to what is being spoken in aural settings. The Interpreter facilitates communication between the deaf student, instructors, peers, and/or participants.
  • Interpreters working through the WKU SARC are certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and are licensed through the state of Kentucky.
  • Students needing an Interpreter for an academic or campus-related event, will need to make the request at least 14 days in advance via email to sarc.connect@wku.edu or by meeting with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Coordinator.
  • If you are not a WKU student and need Sign Language Interpreting for an academic or campus-related event, you should make contact with the WKU Department who is hosting the event or program to arrange your accommodations.
  • Closed Captioning makes audio and audiovisual material accessible and provides a critical link to communicating information. It involves the process of converting the audio content of a film, broadcast, video, webcast, sound bite, live event/lecture, or other productions into text. The text relays what is being said and who is speaking, including important indicative sounds, in real time on a screen, monitor, or other visual system.
  • Individuals wishing to access Closed Captioning should look for and click the “CC” tab typically located at the bottom right of the viewing screen for online videos. Closed Captioning for films is a feature that will need to be turned on through the settings options in the video.
  • Video Subtitles may be an option in the video settings but cannot always be assumed as a substitute for Closed Captioning. Subtitling is often used in foreign films or to clarify information that has been spoken by a speaker with an accent or a speaker whose speech is unclear. 
  • If Closed Captioning is not an option, is determined to be inaccurate, or subtitles are only offered in segments, transcription may be a communication access alternative. 
  • Transcription makes audio and audiovisual material accessible and provides a critical link to communicating information.
  • Transcription is the process of converting the audio content of a film, broadcast, video, webcast, or audio recording into a text Word document after its production.
  • Students needing transcription should to make the request via e-mail to sarc.connect@wku.edu or by scheduling a meeting with a SARC Coordinator.
  • To prevent the fatigue associated with trying to capture classroom content in an aural setting, use of a peer note taker or note taker technology may be a suitable accommodation.
  • More information about note taking alternatives can be located on the note taking web page.
  • Captioned & Volume-Amplified Telephones give access to individuals with varying degrees of hearing loss to communicate via a phone line.
  • Captioned & Volume-Amplified Telephones provide enhanced sound quality via adjustable, higher-than-average volume decibel levels and also offers Bluetooth compatibility for use with hearing aids.
  • The display window captures and relays what is being communicated by the speaker on the other line in real time.
  • A Captioned & Volume-Amplified Telephone is available for use in the SARC during the University’s normal operating office hours and is accessible to the campus community.
  • Our Captioned & Amplified Volume Telephone line, 1-270-745-3030, is facilitated by Hamilton CapTel.
  • Students living on campus can contact the SARC to assist with setting up a Captioned Phone in the Residence Hall.
  • Anyone in the campus community with a hearing loss can contact the SARC to receive information about obtaining a free Hamilton CapTel phone or other device that can connect to your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
  • Video Phones give access to individuals whose primary mode of communication is Sign Language, to communicate via a phone line.
  • Video Relay Interpreting allows individuals whose primary mode of communication is Sign Language to communicate via a phone line with a hearing person.
  • A Video Phone/Video Relay Interpreting is available for use in the SARC during the University’s normal operating office hours and is accessible to the campus community.
  • Our nTouch VP/Video Relay Interpreting Service phone line, 1-270-228-0597, is facilitated by Sorenson. 

 Accessibility Issue? If there is an accessibility concern of any kind, please contact the SARC, as well as the corresponding department.
If a push button for a door or an elevator is not working, or other physical obstructions occur, contact the Department of Facilities Management at 270-745-3253.
For assistance after hours with physical access, contact the WKU Police Department at 270-745-2548.

If there are concerns with technology accessibility, contact IT at 270-745-7000 and/or the SARC.

For information about accessibility services in the libraries, please click here. 

Request an alternative format of any content on this site by contacting the SARC at 270-745-5004, or via email sarc.connect@wku.edu.

 

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 Last Modified 10/24/19