I have a profound hearing loss, and I am using an American Sign Language interpreter to access classroom information. Is it necessary to include it in “Additional Information” box, or it will make no difference?
<p>Seems to me that there are two aspects to this:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Personal challenge - to the extent that deafness and being an ASL speaker has
informed your view of the world, shaped who you are, and given you insights, you will want to convey that in your essay.</p></li>
<li><p>Expectations of the school - if you are expecting the school to provide you with translators, or special equipment, or extra time on exams, or any other unusual accomodation, you should let them know so that they understand and agree to these requirements when they offer you a place.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>It is not necessary, but make sure you contact the Disability Center (I don't know what it is called, sorry) to provide you special service.</p>
<p>So, if I write an essay on my hearing loss, the obstacles I overcome and how it shaped me, is it still a good idea to include it in the additional info box? I just don't want to emphasize on it or "repeat."</p>
<p>pattycake, Just to clarify, is "an American sign language interpreter" a person that will be with you in the classroom in college to interpret the professor's lecture? This is my opinion, with all the usual disclaimers (ie, it is worth what you are paying for it, etc). If your application with your grades, test scores and recommendations stands on its own without explaining your disability, or even this accomodation you will need, then I would not provide that additional information. Your objective is to get admitted to college. After you are admitted you can explore the logistics of getting the support you need at the college. I am sure there are laws that require accomodations to be made but you never know if a particular adcom reading your app may just decide it's too much hassle for the college and wouldn't it just be easier to defer or waitlist this particular applicant? </p>
<p>It could be something as simple (and silly) as a very small school with low student/teacher ratios thinking that a sign language interpreter in a very small classroom would be very diruptive. They might think the applicant would be better served in a large university with large lecture halls. (I am just making someting up here) This is the type of judgement you would like to make for yourself rather than some admin type making it for you.</p>
<p>So, I shouldn't mention my hearing loss until I get accepted?</p>
<p>Yeah, I wouldnt mention it either til you are accepted.</p>
<p>Technically you should because that's a huge thing that the colleges need to know about, and it will affect your chances of admission I think. However I recommend you don't do it on your app. However I bet the college(s) will be a surprised/semi-angry that you didn't tell them about it because it will require them to format a bunch of things to suit your disability, and extra effort on their part is never a good thing to require.</p>
<p>I have OCD, a mental disability, but I am not mentioning it in my applications because colleges might not want someone who's 'mentally disabled' (I have a medium case of it, nothing real bad) that might compromise their liability if something happens, not that anything will. However this is not as severe as major hearing loss so it's a different category altogether.</p>
<p>Good luck, though. It's hard but you can do it.</p>
<p>I still am not sure what an ASL interpreter is. Will you need another person with you in class to translate? If you have written an essay about your life of overcoming your disability I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. If that is your essay topic than obviously the school will know you are deaf. I don't see any reason to hide it. I just see no reason to "warn" them about the accomodations you might need.</p>
<p>An ASL interpreter is another person who sits with the deaf student and listens to the lecture and simlutaneously signs it to the student. It's very common for Deaf people to use ASL interpreters for situations where they must have good understanding of spoken words but technology cannot close the gap.</p>
<p>What is not clear to me in the OP's case is whether she will be providing the interpreter or is expecting the school to. If the latter, the school needs to know about it.</p>
<p>Good plan #37,018:</p>
<p>Email a university or college that you know you won't apply to and tell them your situation and ask for whether or not that will help or hurt your chances to the institution (yes it's a little dirty trick but I think it might work) that you say you might be applying to. Put a note in asking for a completely honest answer. </p>
<p>Make it very very delicate, though, so as not to offend any reader or make them send a fake response saying "Oh no of course not we accept all types of people hooray diversity apply now to our school" and all that.</p>
<p>Try it, I dunno. Good luck, etc.</p>
<p>pattycake999 - I am a pediatric audiologist and have some familiarity with this issue. I recently witnessed a really poor outcome when the family decided not to include the student's hearing loss information - mostly because the school was very uneducated about the student's needs. Ultimately, everyone realized that the school was never going to provide support the way the student required it to be successful even though they were required to by law. It's really important to be sure that the schools involved not only understand your needs but will provide the interpreter and anything else you might typically need for accomodations without trying to skimp or without much argument/confusion. You may have to educate them to your needs, in fact. I would be upfront about your hearing loss for many reasons. First, you have been successful with a very significant challenge - you should tell them this! Second, interpreters and accomodations involve funding and possibly educating the school - you want to be sure the school is knowledgeable and will provide support without issue. You would be amazed at how few educators really understand hearing loss. If the schools you are applying to are larger or state universities, you will find greater familiarlity than if they are not. Do you have anyone to counsel you regarding these issues? You will not be eligible for an interpreter through IDEA or an IEP, but typically in college, the interpreter is funded and assured through the federal 504 law - are you familiar with these? Some colleges are not familiar with the 504 as it relates to hearing loss. Are you mainstreamed now? If so, what state are you in? I don't mean to alarm you - you may find that this is a non-issue at the schools you are applying to but my recent experience with one family makes me want to suggest strongly that you research the schools carefully and talk with them. Gaulladet has some regional centers that may be helpful <a href="http://gurc.gallaudet.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://gurc.gallaudet.edu/</a>. Also, this is a good resource sheet <a href="http://www.nr.edu/cdhh/pdfs/transitioning.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.nr.edu/cdhh/pdfs/transitioning.pdf</a> and I also have worked with this center in the New England region <a href="http://www.netac.rit.edu/publication/tipsheet/transition.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.netac.rit.edu/publication/tipsheet/transition.html</a>. The good news is that many schools are much more familiar with deafness than partial hearing loss, and that you may very well be eligible for some scholarships. Congratulations on your accomplishments - I certainly understand how much work it has been! If you are in MA I can suggest some other resources for you.</p>
<p>I don't know if this helps, but it kind of explains my personal situation.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>