Bergen Community College's Center for Collegiate Deaf Education serves students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. As one of two centers in the state, CCDE provides comprehensive support services to students who are enrolled at the college. For staff at other colleges and universities, the center provides technical assistance.

CCDE provides an environment where students can be successful. Services provided by CCDE help students develop a commitment to the college experience.

• Academic integration with informed instructors in both mainstreamed and self-contained classes.

• Socialization with other deaf and hard-of-hearing students in class, Deaf Student Lounge or during Deaf Club Activities.

• Support from skilled and dedicated CCDE staff.

First-year students are introduced to the Center for Collegiate Deaf Education and participate in a series of workshops that help them prepare for the work ahead.

With guidance from an academic counselor, students are able to register for classes and make necessary arrangements for interpreters, notetakers, and other support services.

A trained counselor is available to help students make decisions regarding their course of study.

A staff of skilled interpreters provides access to classroom information no matter what communication mode is requested. The college will also provide interpreting services for special events whenever needed.

C-Print is a real-time, computer-aided, speech-to-print transcription system developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) as a support service option for some deaf and hard-of-hearing students in mainstream educational environments.

The Center for Collegiate Deaf Education hires both peer notetakers and paraprofessionals to record clear and concise notes for each class.

Bergen Community College's tutoring services are accessible to all BCC students. When possible, tutors fluent in ASL are hired to work with our students.

Networked computer classrooms, access to the Internet, public TTY's, infrared loops, closed-caption videos and TV monitors, and a looped theater provide students with the most current technology available.

The Adaptive Technology Lab is located in S-131. All CCDE students are welcome to use the lab for completing assignments, researching papers, and improving their academic skills. Examples of equipment include:

• JAWS

• Duxbury Braille Translator

• ZoomText Xtra

• Aladdin Rainbow

Counselors are available to discuss options for those students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university. Students also have access to BCC's Division of Cooperative Education and Career Services. Counselors are available to help with resume writing, interviewing techniques, and job placement. Project Next Step can aid students seeking employment upon completion of their studies at BCC. Assistance in resume preparation, interview skills, and locating employment can be provided.