"We each have our own strengths and weaknesses and for some peoples' strengths, they don't have to rely on hearing," Angie Olsen, deaf service coordinator said. "They have their own language and with that comes a different culture. They experience things differently in the world, and therefore, have a different perspective on how the world is."

The Disability Resource Center's mission, according to their Web site is, "To provide qualified persons with disabilities with equal access to university programs, services and activities as directed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973."

The university, through the DRC, provides numerous services to students with physical or mental challenges. Students often see some of those services without even realizing it.

Olsen said there are about five interpreters who go into classrooms and translate the lectures into American Sign Language.

"Teachers and students have been learning to talk to the person and not to the interpreter. We, as hearing people, oftentimes don't realize the abilities of others. The people at Utah State do a good job, though," she said.

The DRC also provides assistive technology for students, such as FM systems - wireless communication systems - and captioning or transcribing the content of videos.

Cameron Bodily, (year in school?) a student majoring in physics, said he has severe hearing loss and uses of an FM system.

"The way it works is the teacher wears this little box and she just talks into it. Basically, she just talks and it provides a direct feed to my hearing aids. I'm able to control the volume of what she is saying and she does an excellent job of repeating questions and comments from the students for me to hear," he said.

Bodily said he doesn't think there has been much difference in his life experiences in regards to his hearing loss.

"I've never been discriminated against or made to feel stupid. I get to enjoy life like everybody else. I served a mission, I go to church, I go to college - the only difference is I get the benefit of really understanding what the teacher is saying," he said.

USU Housing and Dining Services also provides an opportunity for those who are deaf, hard of hearing and those interested in deaf education as a major to live in a community together. Located on the first floor of Moen Hall, students experience deaf culture as a daily reality whether or not they are hard of hearing.

According to the group's Web site, residents participate in regular "voices off" conversation hours, work toward fluency in American Sign Language and share a commitment to service by working with the deaf community.

"I think we have a great opportunity to understand those who are not like us. No two people are the same. There are differences in all of us and getting to interact with someone a little different will help us to become better people," Olsen said.

By Neil Butler
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