Deaf students get a taste of life at DMU


A group of deaf and hard of hearing students got a taste of university life at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) as part of an event with Deaf Education Advocacy Fellowship (DEAF).

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D/deaf students - referred to as D/deaf as 'Deaf' individuals tend to have a strong deaf identity, whereas 'deaf' people are closer to the hearing community - were able to find out about the support available at university and speak to graduates and current students.

Sebastian Cunliffe, 22, from Gateway College, said: “I think it is brilliant here. It looks like a good university and there is good support for deaf people here as well.

“I’m thinking of studying art so it has been really good to see the work by students on display.”

Esmail Patel, Managing Director at DEAF, said: “This event is extremely important so that learners can find out about accessibility.

“DEAF are proud and honoured to be working in partnership with De Montfort University. It is a lovely environment and the staff are professional and helpful, which is very important.”

Grace Campton, a British Sign Language Communicator, came to the open day with a student. She said: “It’s been an amazing event, especially being able to speak to other people here.

“My student feels empowered about going to university, where he had previously believed that he would be unable to go due to being deaf.”

The group attended an introduction to DMU, a campus and accommodation tour, presentations and a question and answer session.

The Disability Advice and Support (DAS) team at DMU works with applicants and current students to ensure D/deaf individuals know how to access the support available and provide help managing the effects on their studies.

DEAF is an organisation committed to promoting equal access and improving the attainment of D/deaf and hard of hearing people in educational institutions and the wider community.

DEAF has previously run summer schools to help students who want to access education, leading several participants to consider university, or apply, when they hadn’t thought it was an option before.

Posted on Friday 17 April 2015

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