Does your university or college have groups and clubs for students with hearing loss?

McMaster University has a club that teaches American Sign Language (ASL) and we also have another club called the McMaster Hearing Society, for which I am the Vice-President of Finance. We try to bridge the gap between the Deaf/ hard-of-hearing community and the hearing community through events and workshops. Our main goal is to spread awareness and meet more people like us! Any students are welcome to join our club as a general member, volunteer, or even a executive member. 

George Brown College is well-informed about the Deaf community because they have Deaf programs of study. There are many Deaf-related clubs where you can integrate more into the Deaf world and get to know more people with hearing loss. They have an ASL club where people can learn how to use sign language as well. 

I attended University of Toronto and I currently attend York University.  Sadly, there are no special clubs at either university for students with cochlear implants and/or hearing aids.  However, both universities have ASL clubs if you are interested in learning a second (or third language for most of you). I want to let you know that many members in ASL clubs are not Deaf and they do not have a cochlear implant/hearing aids.  These members are interested in learning ASL and making friends.  So, the president of the ASL club at York University and I are the only ones who wear a cochlear implant.  Although he can speak, he and I always communicate in ASL, which is very natural for both of us.  

 I strongly encourage you to start your own club for students with hearing loss at whatever university or college you attend.  I think it is a fantastic way to meet other students like us, relate to one another's experiences and share strategies on how to adapt in both school and social situations.

Western University only has the “Western Sign Language Club”. As Josh said, this is a great opportunity for you to start a Deaf/hard-of-hearing club if you are going to Western U!