Access technologies refer to technologies or devices that can be utilized by deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to assist them in acquiring or sharing information, communicating, or otherwise participating in educational opportunities including classroom, online learning, laboratory experiences, as well as educational experiences taking place outside of the classroom. The Center focuses its efforts on four strands of work where there exists a need and opportunity to improve access technology for deaf people. The four strands include:

Classroom Access Technologies

• Notetaking
• Captioning
• Text display systems
• Online and distance access technologies
• Establishment of flexible state-of-the-art classroom "laboratory" for experimentation
• User interface and options for services

Audio and Sound Technologies of Interest to Hard-of-Hearing Persons

• Advanced audio technologies that can be incorporated into academic, employment and social environments.

Training and Evaluation Services

• Adaption/adoption/assessment of access and assistive technologies in development
• Product evaluations on existing technologies
• Assessment tools/success measurement, assessment of teaching and learning with technologies
• Processes for moving access technology to marketplace

Mobile Technologies

• Wireless, cellular
• Messaging
• Personal digital assistants (PDAs)