2nd October 1997

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A new project to support deaf and partially hearing students is being launched jointly by the University of Ulster and the Queen's University of Belfast with support from the Department of Education for Northern Ireland which has agreed to provide substantial funding for the project.

The Joint Universities Deaf Education Centre (known as JUDE) will be based partly at the Jordanstown campus of the University of Ulster and partly at the Queen's University of Belfast. Staff will offer support to students throughout the two universities.

The project is the culmination of efforts at both universities to ensure that deaf and partially hearing students have full access to higher education. It builds on the work of CODAR (Coalition for Disability Awareness and Response) at the University of Ulster and SUCCEED (SUpport Courseware and Counselling to Extend accEss for Deaf people) at Queen's.

The Centre will improve the support available to deaf and hearing-impaired students in Northern Ireland by using sophisticated hearing aids and information technology, promoting signing, and ensuring that staff have the skills they need to teach these students. The team will strive to improve training for interpreters and establish courses in sign language for undergraduates. In addition, there is a commitment to reach out to both schools and employers to ensure that deaf and partially hearing people feel able to take advantage of a university education and have every opportunity to move into a successful career.

Dr Brian Caul, Director of Student Affairs at the University of Ulster stated:

"It has been a matter of concern to both universities for a long time that students with the ability to study in higher education have been prevented from doing so by obstacles beyond their own control. This joint project between UU and QUB is therefore very timely. We have undertaken to collaborate and share our resources to do everything in our power to smooth the pathways for capable students."

Dr Roddy Cowie, Chair of the Disability Action Group at Queen's said:

"This is a signal to deaf and partially hearing children, and their parents, and all the teachers who put out so much effort. It says that if a deaf child is bright, there is no reason why he or she should not get to university just like any other bright child. That is what we believe and now DENI has put money behind it.

"What I want is to see Northern Ireland becoming a model that shows the world what deaf people can achieve given reasonable support. I don't see why that shouldn't happen if we put our minds to it."

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk