Gallaudet University Regional Center at Ohlone College

Are you looking for information on professional development opportunities? Are you searching for assistance in planning programs or workshops? Or are you seeking technical assistance related to the education of deaf and hard of hearing students? The Gallaudet University Regional Centers (GURCs) are available to assist you.

The GURCs bring the resources of the world’s only liberal arts university for deaf and hard of hearing people to your region through partnerships with five host sites: Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida; Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas; Kapi´olani Community College, Honolulu, Hawaii; Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, Massachusetts; and Ohlone College, Fremont, California.

The GURCs offer training workshops, technical assistance, extension courses, and coordinate the annual Regional High School Academic Bowl competitions that culminate in the National Academic Bowl sponsored by Gallaudet University. The GURCs address the educational, transition, and professional development needs of deaf and hard of hearing people from birth through adulthood, their families, and the professionals who work with them.

Workshops

The GURCs offer workshops related to a variety of topics, some of which are: literacy, family involvement, transition from school to postsecondary education and employment, educational interpreting, mental health, and student development. The GURCs can work with you to plan a workshop or conference that will meet the training needs of your school or agency.

Technical Assistance

The GURCs can offer assistance to schools and programs, and agencies interested in providing workshops, online and extension courses, and specialized training. They also provide information related to the education of deaf and hard of hearing students in their region from preschool through adulthood.

GURC staff members act in an advisory capacity at their host institutions. They are also involved with professional and consumer organizations and serve on advisory boards for agencies and organizations which have an impact on services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Extension Courses

In partnership with Gallaudet University, the GURCs offer extension courses (as permitted by state regulations) for deaf and hard of hearing people, their families, and the professionals who work with them. The courses provide a unique opportunity to study with recognized experts in such fields as ASL Linguistics, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education and Interpreting. These courses are coordinated through the GURCs, often in collaboration with sponsoring agencies serving deaf and hearing communities. Sponsoring agencies can be schools for deaf students, special education school districts, interpreter training programs, or professional organizations. For more information about these course offerings, visit http://gspp.gallaudet.edu/shapes/extension/index.html

Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Every spring, the GURCs sponsor regional High School Academic Bowl competitions. At each Academic Bowl competition teams representing schools and programs for deaf and hard of hearing students compete against each other to answer questions on a wide variety of academic subjects. The first and second place winners from each of the five regions compete in the national competition held at Gallaudet University.

All high schools and programs serving deaf and hard of hearing students are encouraged to enter the regional competitions. For more information about the Academic Bowl, check out the website at http://academicbowl.gallaudet.edu.