Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Network Group
Hosted by Portland Community College Accessible Ed and Disability Resources and the Disability Cultural Alliance
Accessible Ed & Disability Resources leads the PCC community to recognize disability as a valued aspect of diversity, embrace access as a matter of social justice, and promote universal design and inclusive environments. The Disability Cultural Alliance promotes a welcoming environment for students of disabled experience to build community, find resources, and discuss their access needs.
Join our google group for news and updates.
About Us
PDX Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Network Group (DHRNG) is an affinity group run by the Portland Community College Department of Accessible Education and Disability Resource Center. Our mission is to provide community and create a space for students and staff in the deaf community to have a voice at Portland Community College, encourage networking, provide a space to connect, share mutual support with each other, and cultivate community. We will host events, send out monthly newsletters, and provide resources.
Guiding Statement
The PDX Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Network Group is dedicated to improving the experience and inclusion of voices in the deaf community. This includes D/deaf, Deaf-blind, and Hard of Hearing folks as well as CODA, SODA, and anybody else inside of the deaf community. We work to empower and support students in the deaf community through networking and community building that emphasizes advocacy, and activism as we seek to disrupt ablest and audist norms and barriers in academia and beyond. We draw from anti-racist, disability justice, and radially queer frameworks and strategies for inclusion and empowerment.
Resources
To submit new or additional resources please send an email to deaf-resource-network-group@pcc.edu
School and Academic Resources
National Deaf Center on Postsecondary outcomes
Provides professional and academic support for deaf students in high school or college, as well as school to school transitional support and advocacy. They also provide many community-read resources and materials on their website including media libraries, research, webinars, certificate programs, and guides to accommodations and services such as Assistive Learning Devices, Speech to text services, notetaking services and guides for how to request accommodations.
Deaf Schools and Academic Programs Centering Deaf Culture and Experience
- Rochester Institute of Technology. As the home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), RIT offers a wide array future-focused academic programs and unparalleled access and support services for deaf and hard-of hearing students. Resources offered to students include reduced tuition, ASL interpreting, notetaking and captioning services, free on-campus audiology services, career development workshops, as well as many clubs and organizations. They also host weekly events and have a deaf athlete development program. They also host youth programs and workshops for deaf and hard of hearing middle and high school students.
- Gallaudet University. Gallaudet offers more than 150 degrees, certificates, and credentials. This school has a long history as a deaf university. The campus itself is rich with DeafSpace facilities and even off-campus the area is rich with deaf culture and sign cafes and deaf friendly businesses.
- California State University Northridge. Services provided to deaf and hard of hearing students include interpreting, speech-to-text transcription, note-taking, tutoring, and academic advisement as well as priority registration. They also have a deaf studies program, and a program called The National Center on Deafness (NCOD) that runs also provides transition services, academic and career planning.
- Portland community college. PCC’s ASL/English Interpretation program provides a foundation in advanced American Sign Language (ASL), as well as Deaf history and culture, field experience, interpreting theory, and plenty of practice in interpretation in classes and internships. PCC provides ASL interpreting, CART, and Typewell for their students. PCC also has an ASL/Signing Club, and this Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Network group.
- Western Oregon University. WOU offers programs in ASL studies, and interpreting. They provide services for students such as ASL/English Interpreting, TypeWell or CART transcriptions, post-production captioning, and note-taking services. They also have an ASL club.
- Towson University. Towson offers a Deaf Studies Major and Minor with Career coaching and guidance materials. Also offers ASL/English interpreting, TypeWell and CART transcriptions, ALD’s and ability to caption course materials. The School also hosts and ASL club, and deaf events and offers career support.
Financial, Legal and Basic Needs Assistance
- PCC Basic Needs Hub provides a one-stop location for PCC students.
- Lions Club. This resource helps eligible folks in Oregon pay for hearing aids, hearing tests, and other related help. You may be eligible if you are low income, without insurance, or if your insurance won’t pay for your aids.
- National Association of the Deaf (NAD). Legal assistance for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. NAD has information and legal advocacy letters for a variety of situations such as interacting with courts, police, healthcare, and education.
- Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has resources and examples of workplace accommodations for deaf and hard of hearing people. The resources is helpful for both workers and employers.
Community Spaces, Advocacy and Events
- PCC offers Faculty Learning Cohorts, including one called “Seeing the World Through a Deaf Lens” as well as free ASL classes for employees
- PCC ASL Club posts both local and group specific events.
- CymaSpace makes arts, cultural & media events accessible & inclusive to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing through technology, education & outreach.
- Woodstock Cafe is a Deaf-Operated Cafe located in the Woodstock area of Portland, next to Reed College. Hosts multiple weekly deaf events, and is a cozy and warm deaf community space. Some examples of regular events held here are craft/knitting circles, ASL groups, Deaf game nights, and an ASL happy hour.
- National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA) is the official advocacy organization for thousands of Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing Americans. They focus on advocacy efforts for civil rights and equal access to education, employment, and social services on behalf of the Black Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the United States.
- Portland’s Deaf Night Out (DNO) are recurring events every second Saturday of every month at different locations.