Reflections of a deaf graduate
The obstacles, triumphs, highlights and pitfalls of a woman navigating accessibility in higher education.
When I first stepped foot on the San José State campus, I was excited to begin a new chapter in my life. As a deaf student, I knew there would be challenges, but I was hopeful, ready to learn, connect and grow in a place that values diversity and inclusion.
Now that I am about to graduate, I find myself reflecting on the moments that shaped me; not just the obstacles, but the resilience I discovered in facing them and every other experience, both positive and negative that I encountered at SJSU.
Academically, SJSU offers support through the Accessible Education Center for deaf and hardof-hearing individuals, such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, realtime captioning and notetaking, according to their webpage. However, accommodations are only part of the efforts.
While I am grateful for the support and services available, I believe that there is still more work that needs to be done to fill in existing gaps that are essential to ensuring a more smooth transition.
Inconsistent implementation of proper accessibility, untrained faculty and unreliable classroom technology have all impacted my ability to often fully engage.
Some instructors didn’t know how to work with interpreters. Captions were often missing or delayed for lectures. There were days when I walked away from class
With respect to the “May Day celebrated with protests in San José” article, the protest that occurred in San José on what is known as International Workers Day shows the support residents have for the important social issues Americans are experiencing on a daily basis.
The protest was not directed to support one issue, but it also voiced support on immigration, educational funding, women, LGBTQIA+, people of color and anyone who is not a white male.
These protests are important to my family and I, as I consider myself a woman of color. All of my family members immigrated from Mexico to America in the early 1900s.
discouraged, not due to a lack of interest, but because the tools I relied on had failed.
My experience reflects national statistics on deaf students.
The National Deaf Center reports that deaf students have high educational expectations, with 45.2% aiming to complete a bachelor’s degree and 10.7% pursuing a doctoral degree. However, fewer deaf students finish their programs compared to hearing peers, indicating external barriers outside their control that may hinder their success.
Colleges and universities must better equip themselves to support the needs of deaf
because real-time interpreting wasn’t available or because others weren’t sure how to communicate with me. It’s difficult to feel part of a community when the conversations, both literal and cultural, aren’t
during a group project, a classmate stepped in and wrote out key points from our conversations, ensuring I could contribute fully. A lot of times some of my peers would take the time to interact with me whether
To deaf students preparing for college, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Speak up early about your needs, connect with your campus accessibility office before classes begin and build relationships with professors who are willing to listen and learn.
students.
Furthermore, about 4.9% of deaf adults are enrolled in postsecondary institutions, compared to 10% of hearing individuals — these statistics highlight the systemic barriers that continue to affect deaf students in higher education, according to the same report.
On campus, those barriers expand by a lack of visibility and representation, insufficient research into the needs of deaf students and inaccessible digital resources. Also, missed opportunities for deaf individuals to network or gain professional experience.
In club fairs and campus events, I often found myself left out
The uncertainty many immigrants, students, women and LGBTQ are feeling should not be occurring since many have fought and advocated to reach equality among all Americans.
For many decades, people have protested and have won repeatedly on the issues that affect their loved ones and everyday life.
This day shows the voice and unity members have among each other.
We won’t be defeated and we will continue to protest and fight for social justice and stand in unity.
accessible.
There were also bright moments — some professors went out of their way to make sure I was included, such as learning signs to my surprise, checking in after class, or giving me early access to lecture materials. It was the consideration that made things better.
Fellow students also started to become allies, not just classmates. Slowly, I started to feel like I belonged, not just because of the accommodations, but because people started seeing me not just as “the deaf student,” but as a full person with ideas worth hearing.
In an instance when there was a gap in interpreting services
Immigrants, students, minorities, women, workers and LGBTQ will continue to protest and fight for what wants to be taken away from us — our unity, equal rights and the right to pursue liberty and justice.
send a letter to the editor
I interned with the Dwight Bentel Hall Communications agency, gaining valuable insight relevant to my career. I took ASL and Deaf culture classes, which introduced me to new people and perspectives.
Joining the Spartan Daily was a defining experience. As a deaf student in journalism, I faced challenges like relying on written communication during interviews and needing recordings for stories.
However, I adapted by finding methods to facilitate obtaining information, which allowed me to sharpen my writing skills.
it would be writing back and forth or asking me how to sign certain terms.
These positive experiences reminded me that inclusion doesn’t require perfection, just effort and empathy. Over time, I began advocating more confidently for myself and for others. I stopped apologizing for needing accommodations. I started raising awareness among classmates and faculty and learned how to turn discomfort into dialogue.
I discovered a variety of meaningful experiences at SJSU, such as joining Grupo Folklórico Luna y Sol de SJSU, which helped me stay connected to my cultural roots.
With respect to the “How I learned to love the Arch” article, I can agree on the point when you mentioned, “Avoiding the arch or any symbol doesn’t impact our future, but it’s the choices we make and the actions we take that define us as people.”
I am currently a Master's of Social Work student at SJSU and I was able to relate to the actions students take, as I have to avoid the Arch, but I have not taken the time to appreciate the true significance of that Arch and the history behind the art. Social work is my passion and although the article is not directly linked to the field, your inspirational quotes are. Every day, social workers make a choice to make
But the truth is, SJSU and higher education as a whole have a long way to go. True accessibility is not just compliance or accommodations.
The focus should be on fostering community and educating faculty and students on how to engage with deaf and hard-of-hearing peers respectfully and meaningfully.
This includes making ASL a visible part of campus culture and listening to us when we speak, even if an interpreter is voicing for us.
There is always room for improvement and I hope that in the future, SJSU implements more changes that are adaptable for the deaf and hard-of-hearing students and creates a more inclusive environment for
people like me.
As I prepare to move on to the next steps in my career, I want to express gratitude to the professors and faculty from various departments who truly supported me: Kris Rodriguez, Christine Vega, David Ocampo, Everett Smith, Aaron Frietas, Andy Lutzky, Michael Brito, Ana Navarrete, Christine DiSalvo and Richard Craig. Thank you for seeing me as a whole person with something valuable to contribute.
To deaf students preparing for college, don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Speak up early about your needs, connect with your campus accessibility office before classes begin and build relationships with professors who are willing to listen and learn.
You deserve to learn and thrive, just like anyone else. Your voice matters, no matter how it’s expressed. Find your community, whether it is other deaf students, allies, or ASL learners, because support makes a difference. Remember, you deserve to be here.
I may navigate this world in a unique way, but it does not make my experience lesser or different than any other student.
Follow Elizabeth on Instagram @lizzethy
a difference in the life of someone else. The field is not for the faint of heart as it requires humbleness, patience, advocacy and overall, the love to make a difference.
Such as the Cesar Chavez Arch honors those who advocated for social justice. Every day is a new opportunity to help those in need, be a support for a friend and listen to those who want to express their voice because we can all make a difference in each other's lives.
Letters to the Editor may be placed in the letters to the editor box in the Spartan Daily office in Dwight Bentel Hall, Room 209 or emailed to spartandaily@gmail.com to the attention of the Spartan Daily Opinion Editor. Letters to the Editor must contain the author’s name, year and major. Letters become property of the Spartan Daily and may be edited for clarity, grammar, libel and length. Only letters of 300 words or less will be considered for publication. Published opinions and advertisements do not necessarily reflect the views of the Spartan Daily, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or SJSU. The Spartan Daily is a public forum.
ON THE SIDELINES WITH SUNJAY
By Navin Sunjay Krishnan COLUMNIST
There are a few upcoming teams looking to take the next steps and go from pretender to contender for the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Certain NBA teams that have rolled the dice and focused on rebuilding their teams with several draft picks, players from their G-League affiliates and trades.
While there are numerous young rising stars that have taken their first steps in the NBA, three teams have a vibrant and positive future that should be expected to take the next step in their journey.
The Pacers are an up-andcoming team with a great young core with guards
Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam.
Siakam, who is a versatile power forward with the ability to stretch the floor, dominates down low in the post with physicality and has the stamina and discipline to dominate on offense and defense.
The All-Star was acquired in a three-team trade with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Toronto Raptors. The trade sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round draft picks to the Raptors, according to an ESPN article.
Haliburton’s ability to stretch the floor while also keeping his head up, looking for passing angles and his
chemistry with Siakam is what makes the Pacers such a dangerous team.
Haliburton’s right-hand man, Myles Turner, can elevate their game with 3-point shooting, but the side of the floor that he excels at is defensively.
Turner exceeded 130 blocks in the previous three seasons and holds the record in Pacers history for blocks, according to a StatMuse webpage.
The fact that they have found a way, under head coach Rick Carlisle to improve its entire team is astounding. Its overall record under Carlisle is 370-345, showing that despite having a losing record, they have made the adjustments to improve very quickly.
Siakam’s physical style goes well with the Pacers’ philosophy of going at a blistering pace.
The Pacers are ranked
seventh overall in the NBA at 99.87 pace rating, according to a StatMuse webpage.
The Pacers’ formula is simple, but effective, which is why they are the third-best team with a bright future.
Despite questions about the relatively small backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs have erased the heat from doubters.
The Cavaliers, who finished with the secondbest record in the 2024-2025 NBA regular season. Their 64-18 record was earned with grit, belief and chemistry, according to an ESPN webpage.
They’ve managed to start with a blistering gameto-game momentum and carried that momentum into the playoffs. Because of the frontcourt
duo and their defensive presence, the Cavaliers have the luxury of getting beat off the dribble or stopping penetration into the lane and having the confidence of centers Evan Mobley or Jarrett Allen behind them to clean up.
Mobley, the Cavaliers’ firstround pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, won the 2024-2025 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award, according to an ESPN article.
The Cavaliers are no slouch on offense either, and have the uncanny knack of knocking down 3-pointers at an efficient clip. The Cavs hit an average of 15.9 points from beyond the arch, which ranks second in the NBA, according to a StatMuse webpage.
The Cavs’ dynamic twoway play, their ability to create mismatches and their chemistry bodes for long nights for their opponents
now, but make no mistake –they are the real deal when it comes to future contenders.
The Thunder are a thrill to watch. Not only does everyone on the team play tough and smart defense, they lock in and make simple basketball plays.
However, make no mistake, the young pieces to this anomaly of a team have bought into defense and discipline and are committed to winning basketball games.
The star of the show is definitely the 2025 Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but has managed to take the helm of this team.
He makes the team succeed without dominating the ball while creating an unselfish team with oan riented structure.
Gilgeous-Alexander also leads his team in assists, passing the rock at 6.4 assists per game, according to a StatMuse webpage. He also won the scoring title in the regular season, averaging 32.7 points per game, according to a Basketball-reference webpage.
The team’s winning mentality is a sweet spectacle, and the Thunder notched a NBA-leading 68-14 record, according to a StatMuse webpage.
Furthermore the shooting, ball movement and chemistry takes a back seat to the real gem of the defense.
In the 2025 NBA playoffs, the Thunder lead all teams with a 107.5 defensive rating as of Wednesday evening, according to a StatMuse webpage.
The young, solid core has learned to work together and do the dirty work, but the hidden gem in this leap into championship contention is because of one person within the organization: head coach Mark Daigneault.
Daigneault, since his hire in Nov. 11, 2020, has managed to maintain a 211-189 record, according to a Basketball-Reference webpage.
Oklahoma City is the most cohesive team in basketball and havs earned its success. However, despite having the youngest team in the NBA with an average of 24.14, the Thunder show resilience and poise.