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Petoskey News-Review - News - Deaf student overcomes barriers in the classroom

For most, technology can be considered an "extra" or a "perk," but for the past several months it has been a necessity for Janel Kendall.

Kendall, who is the first deaf full-time student to attend North Central Michigan College, has been using video conferencing for the past semester to connect to interpreters at Southern Illinois University to sign her professors’ in-class lectures.

The 26-year-old from Indian River, who was born partially deaf, lost her hearing entirely four years ago while attending Lake Superior State University and has needed live interpreters ever since.

When Kendall began to attend North Central Michigan College in the fall semester of 2007 the college was able to provide her with live interpreters from East Jordan, but by January 2008, their availability became a concern and college officials knew they needed to consider other options.

Kathryn Flewelling, director of Learning Support Services, was the first to mention the idea of online interpreters through video conferencing.

“I’d seen it done before,” she said. “The fact that it can happen in live time with very little delay is such a convenience, especially to those who need it.”

The college was able to work out a deal with interpreters at Southern Illinois University, and shortly thereafter, Kendall began using the technology.

The set-up includes a Dell laptop, a camera and specialized video conferencing software. While in class, Kendall is able to watch the interpreter sign the professor’s lecture to her in real time on her laptop screen. The interpreter hears the lecture through a microphone, and throughout the class the camera is pointed at Janel so that if she is unclear about something, she can sign back to the interpreter.

Kendall said, at first, the technology took a little getting used to.

“We had a few difficulties at the beginning of the year, but since they worked out the kinks, it’s been good,” she said. “It’s been a learning process for everybody, not just me.”

“I think once everybody got the process down, it was a piece of cake,” Flewelling said.

Kendall, who has attended several different colleges, said North Central has been the most accommodating for her needs.

“I don’t think of myself as handicapped or disabled — I don’t look at it (being deaf) as a disadvantage; I’m just as equally abled as anyone else,” she said. “At most schools I’ve been to, it’s been a battle to get the things I need and that makes me feel awkward, but not here. At North Central they asked me, ‘What do you need?’”

Flewelling said it’s their job to help any and every student.

“A lot of students are embarrassed by their disability and their need for accommodation, and we try to dispel any of that and get them what they need to learn fairly,” she said.

Eric Grandstaff, associate dean of Academic & Administrative Technologies at North Central, who was instrumental in setting up the technology for Kendall to use, said the video conferencing technology has been available at North Central since 1990 for business purposes, but he said he was pleased to see it used in this way.

“The technology is kind of old to us, but to see it used this way is just phenomenal,” he said. “We just really think this is an awesome use for this technology, and the results of this technology is awesome. For this student, it’s really making a difference for her to attend school. You walk away from your job that day saying, ‘Isn’t that cool.’”

Kendall will graduate Friday from North Central Michigan College with an associate’s degree, and plans to transfer to Western Michigan University where she will pursue a degree in computer programming.

“I don’t consider myself a groundbreaker,” she said. “I do realize someone had to be first, and I believe it’s been a chance to educate people.”

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