Resources If you are living with
Hearing Loss or DEAFness
If you are Hard of Hearing or Deaf, you can also access any of the services for students who are receiving diplomas or certificates.
On this page, you will find extra services that are specific to your needs. You are highly encouraged to use these services as the addition of their assistance will help make you successful as you transition to your post-high school goals.
Click on the logos to get directly to the website
Look for these symbols when requesting accommodations
DCARA (Deaf Counseling, Advocacy, and Referral Agency)
Deaf Access Program Service Provider for the SF Bay Area. Promotes self-determination and independence among a diverse Deaf community, regardless of their communication background, through its services and programs. Provides clients and communities with the resources, access and counseling services needed to make independent decisions.
CA Deaf Blind Services (at San Francisco State University)
CDBS serves individuals from birth through age 21 who have combined hearing and vision problems, with or without additional disabilities.
Read more about their services: http://www.cadbs.org/
College and Education
There are colleges that have specific programs and communities of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
College XPress
Read their list of:
"Colleges with Particular Sensitivity to Students with Hearing Loss"
LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CENTER FOR DEAF STUDIES
at Ohlone College
Programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, and programs in Interpreter Preparation, the study of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. Students in all disciplines are served by faculty and staff with extensive and unique expertise.
Gallaudet University is a federally chartered private university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It is located in Washington, D.C., on a 99-acre campus. GU is officially bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used for instruction and by the college community.
Students - please note that "Private" colleges are typically quite expensive.
College Scholarships
Pro tips:
Start applying to scholarships at the start of your senior year
Plan to submit your applications at best one month before the deadline.
Calendar all deadlines and let your calendar ping you one week before submitting.
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
CANCELLED FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
DUE IN DECEMBER
For leads for similar scholarships click here
CA Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. Provides counselors and employment support.
County of San Mateo list of communication aid for individuals who are deaf. Note that this list covers high tech and low tech, all levels of ability, and some of it you have to pay for.
If you would like to try out some of this tech before you buy, or would like to try to get low cost or financial aid, consider contacting Vincent Lopez at the Center for Independence - San Mateo. Click here for information and his contact information.
San Mateo County Libraries is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and strives to make our spaces open for exploration to everyone in person and online.
Request the following services at any San Mateo County Libraries location:
Closed Captioned Videos - The Library has DVDs with closed captioning of dialogue and sound.
Retrieving Library Items for You
If you have a disability, library staff will retrieve books, media and other items from the library collection for you on request. Some branches also offer home delivery service for homebound patrons. Please inquire at your local branch about this service.
Printing and Photocopying for You
Library staff will print or photocopy a reasonable number of items for you. Library staff may ask you to leave selections for later copying when there is no time for extended individual help.
Proxy Borrowing
Proxy borrowing lets a person of your choice borrow or renew library items on your behalf. Contact your branch about how to get this started.
Extending Your Loan Period
You may request that the library extend the loan period for your borrowed items if you are unable to return them on time due to special circumstances.
You can view the library's Web Accessibility Statement to see how we strive to make our online experience welcoming and inclusive to people with a wide range of abilities.
More information about these services and more, click here.
DCMP provides free membership to access streaming TV and Movies, DVDs, Interactive Media, Resources and more. All media is captioned for individuals with hearing loss.
Click on image to link to the website for free previews or browse media topics.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband (internet) they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
The Affordable Connectivity Program is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.
Watch the video or Click here for more information.
Inspiration
Here you will find stories of people who have risen above their disability. Learn about how they did it and then develop your own story of success!
CHEF DARREN - The Challenge of Profound Deafness.
Watch this movie to learn how Chef Darren graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and became a full-fledged chef owning his own restaurant!
Learn about athletes who are Deaf, and how you could join the national team.