Consider staffing options for ASL interpreters

Abstract

Since 1990, when the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted into law by President George H.W. Bush, more students with disabilities have had the opportunity to attend college. Since then, a growing number of deaf or hard of hearing students have enrolled in higher education. The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes reported that, as of 2019, 5% of the deaf or hard of hearing population in the U.S. were enrolled in college. Of these students, most prefer lip reading or voicing, despite the availability of tools such as live captioning and closed captioning. Still, an American Sign Language interpreter helps students who are deaf or hard of hearing navigate the challenges of completing a postsecondary degree.