MODEL PROGRAM FOR HEARING IMPAIRED AND DEAF STUDENTS IN ENGINEERING
This project is developing and adopting a model program for deaf and
hard of hearing students in engineering at Purdue University. The
program is focusing on providing academic support and social
integration for deaf and hard of hearing students who want to study
engineering in a mainstreamed environment. Emphasis is placed on
promoting retention of these students because data indicate that
attrition rates for deaf and hard of hearing students are one-third
higher than for hearing students. Program staff is also working
with the University's Engineering Co-op Office and with companies to
make jobs available to the students who are hard of hearing or deaf.
The program contains a recruitment component aimed at pre-
college students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The recruitment
activities concentrate on both encouraging qualified high school
seniors to attend Purdue and on encouraging students in grade
school through high school to stay in mathematics and science
courses so that they will be eligible for engineering, mathematics, and
science in college. Efforts are being made to convince
counselors, parents and teachers that engineering is an excellent
career opportunity for hard of hearing and deaf students. In
addition, a national computer electronic network for deaf and hard of
hearing students interested in studying engineering is being
designed and developed. This network will serve as a linkage
between high school students, their parents and teachers; current
college students in engineering or interested in transferring into
engineering; engineering professors; and practicing engineers. The
network should help in the retention efforts and should provide a basis
for recruiting more deaf and hard of hearing students into
engineering. Information on the program's methodology and results and
the electronic network will be disseminated throughout the
United States to engineering colleges and to organizations
interested in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students to
promote development of similar programs.
HRD-9353824 18 Months $99,990
Phillip C. Wankat
Department of Chemical Engineering
Freshman Engineering
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907-1286
317/494-3886
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