A Deaf-Friendly U: University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Image Description: University of Minnesota 2014 Deaf College Bowl Team.

Are you starting the college search? Are you Deaf or Hard of Hearing or Deafblind? Know someone who is? Perhaps you or they are considering one of the three traditional schools with a sizable number of Deaf students - Gallaudet University, Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute of the Deaf, or California State University Northridge? Or perhaps a local/state school?

Do consider the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities as an option.
In recent years, the U of M, home of the Golden Gophers, has underwent major changes in making the campus a Deaf-friendly one (and Disability-friendly as well).

When I transferred to the U of M as an undergraduate, there were few programs and services for Deaf students and I felt alone. Fast forward a few years when I returned for graduate school and discovered that much change had taken place in the years in between. Now the U is Deaf friendly as it can get!


What does the University of Minnesota have to offer to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind students?

Deaf Presence at the U

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student Ambassadors (DHHSAP)

DHHSAP is a collaborative student-run organization consisted of both Deaf/HOH/DB students and staff from the Interpreting & Captioning Unit as well as Disability Resource Center. They create Deaf-centric or ASL-centric events, advocate for accessibility reforms on campus, give tours to prospective D/HH/DB students, serve as the go-to contact for Deaf/HH/DB students wanting to meet others on campus, maintain a Deaf presence on campus, among other activities.

Disabled Students Cultural Center (DSCC)

Quite a few SAP members also serve on the board of its parent organization, the DSCC. While SAP focuses on the Deaf aspect, DSCC welcomes all individuals with or without disabilities. Come and visit their space on the second floor of Coffman Memorial Union or attend one of their monthly Lunch'n'Learn to learn more about what DSCC does!

ASL House

One floor in Comstock Hall is set aside for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind students as well as ASL students and anyone interested in being part of the Living and Learning Community. Doorbell lights are installed in the rooms in this section, and the Community Advisor knows sign language. ASL House hosts Deaf-centric and/or ASL-centric events such as ice cream socials, sledding parties, fort-building parties, volunteering at the ASL events at University of St. Catherine's (St. Kate's) across town, hosting guest speakers and performers.

Deaf College Bowl

Traditionally, the Deaf College Bowl program hosted by the National Association of the Deaf was only open to the three traditional schools named above. In 2012 this all changed when three other schools joined - University of Minnesota, University of Texas, and the Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf. University of Minnesota sent a team in 2012, 2014 and will do so again in 2016. (Read here for further information about the Deaf College Bowl program).

ASL Social Hour

Sometimes life on a hearing-oriented campus can be daunting and one just needs to find their 'people' - this is where ASL Social Hour comes in to save the day! Meeting once a week, usually on Friday afternoons when most students are likely to have a lighter courseload, students gather in Goldy's Gameroom (in the basement of Coffman Memorial Union) to chat and socialize with other ASL users, both Deaf and hearing.

ASL Club

Need to refresh your sign skills? Want to learn ASL? Meet other ASL users and practice your skillz? Join the ASL club on campus!

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Day at the U

The Deaf Student Ambassadors and the Interpreting & Captioning Unit as well as Disability Resource Center collaborate yearly on a program to welcome Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind students in grades 9-12 to the university - and hopefully gain a future Gopher or two! This year, grades 6-8 will be welcomed as part of the Kids on Campus program. The student-made video posted below is from the 2014 "Dare 2 B U" program.

ASL/Deaf Events at the U

In recent years, we've had Sean Forbes (Deaf rapper), Signmark (Deaf hip-hop from Finland), Keith Wann (ASL Comedian) perform at the U to increase Deaf awareness on campus and in the community.

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

Resources to make one's collegiate journey easier for persons with disabilities are available here. There is a Deaf staff member fluent in ASL that can meet with Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind students to help them become successful in college.

Interpreting & Captioning Unit (ICU)

The U of M have their own in-house staff interpreters, transliterators, and captioners. Need a terp, captioner, or transliterator for on-campus (and some off-campus) activities? Contact them! Their door is open - do stop by and say hello!

Deaf Education Studies and ASL Studies

The Deaf Education studies is available at the Bachelor and Master level. ASL 1-4 and Perspectives of Deaf Culture are offered through the ASL Department.


Not yet convinced? Sit back and put your feet up and watch the student-made video showcasing a Deaf presence at the University of Minnesota.





For further information, please contact a DHHSAP volunteer at DHHSAP@UMN.EDU and hope to see your friendly face on campus soon!

 We do ASL friendly tours of campus too!



*M-FIST shirts are available at http://www.handsay.com/products/handsay-it-all/the-minn/ (Note: shirts run small, so order a size up!)