Project Access is an extensive multi-phase project developed by the faculty and staff at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).  Developed experientially and based on interviews and observations of Deaf/Hard–of–Hearing students and their teachers in mainstream college classrooms, Project Access is broadly designed to assist faculty, support service providers and other education professionals who are working with classroom teachers in mainstreamed settings. Participants in this workshop will be sensitized to the challenges faced by Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students in a mainstreamed classroom environment and will learn effective use of support personnel (sign language interpreters, note takers, tutors, and captionists).

Focus will be directed at presenting methods of adapting classroom teaching style in order to foster better learning for Deaf/Hard–of–Hearing, as well as all other students. Presenters will share universal design for curriculum, best practices for instruction, provide real-life strategies and review extensive online resources that will assist faculty, support service providers and other education professionals in modifying the learning environment to provide greater access for all students.