CWU Excels In Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Access Services

December 2, 2003

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Vincenzo Gulotta, a spry senior citizen with an enormous smile, is now working on his bachelor's degree at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. He's not shy about expressing his opinions, which he does primarily through gestures and expressions. He has to, because he's deaf.

After being sidetracked by necessity and a lack of social support for 60 years, Gulotta first began his college career at Yakima Valley Community College in 1994, at age 69.

"I really wanted to go to school all my life," he explains.

Gulotta enrolled at Central in 1999.

"He's here to fulfill his dream of getting his degree before he dies," Glenna Bain, CWU deaf and hard of hearing access services coordinator, says. "He has openly shared this with many students during classroom introductions and around campus. Faculty, staff and students inevitably respond to him with evident admiration and encouragement. I've heard such statements as, 'Well, if YOU can do it, I can do it too.' Needless to say, his 'can do spirit' is quite an inspiration to all of us."

CWU's deaf and hard of hearing outreach is provided through the university's Disability Support Services, established to ensure that students with disabilities admitted to the university are provided equal access to programs and services.

Soon after starting at Central, the university offered Gulotta a faculty position teaching American Sign Language (ASL). He accepted it and taught for three years.

"I loved that job!" he exclaims. "I love teaching, just love the students, and I love to help them work through their problems. I don't just teach sign language -- I feel like I can offer some wisdom and advice."

Now a full-time undergraduate, Gulotta is satisfied with the attention he gets as a deaf student at Central. "I decided to go to college here for fun. They have good interpreters here. I came because of that."

Gulotta notes that the TypeWell transcription system, supplied by the university, has helped him immensely in his studies. Using TypeWell, a hearing transcriber uses a notebook computer with abbreviation software to transcribe what is said in class. Meanwhile, a hearing-impaired student reads the transcription in real-time from a second computer, typing questions and comments to the transcriber.

"We have seven students enrolled full time, working with interpreters and transcribers in the classroom," Bain adds. "We also have two full-time deaf faculty members, which adds to the necessity to provide interpretation services."

The increased interest in American Sign Language has prompted larger enrollments, which has led to discussions about a major in ASL. Such a major might eventually include a focused program on educational interpretation, depending on the wishes of the department of foreign language, which houses ASL, according to Dr. Liahna Armstrong, dean of CWU's College of Arts and Humanities.

If established, such a major could help alleviate a serious shortage of qualified interpreters in the schools, according to Bain.

"A bill was recently passed by the state legislature to mandate the provision of more interpreter training through four-year universities," she adds.

Born in the Yakima Valley, Gulotta speaks lovingly of the region and proudly of his Italian roots. His father, Andrew, arrived from Sicily in 1912 to work on the railroad -- first in Tacoma, then Yakima. Meanwhile, Gulotta's mother, Leonarda, stayed home to raise Gulotta and his older sister.

Interestingly, both children were born deaf. Thanks to some deaf neighbors, the family learned of the Washington State School for the Deaf in Vancouver, Wash., and the children attended class there and graduated together in 1943.

After graduating, Gulotta considered attending college, but a close friend who was also deaf discouraged him.

Now fulfilling his lifelong dream, Gulotta is still undeclared in his major, but he speaks openly of certain goals: "I'd like to teach hearing people sign language," he says. "My dream is to teach them to understand how to be deaf." Gulotta has also written several volumes based on his life experiences, including a 400-page, self-published autobiography. His main message these days, he says, is this: "Deaf people are the same as everyone else. Remember that. We can do everything, except hear."

Bain points out: "With our reputation for quality programs in education, I believe we can expect to see more deaf students as well as students trained as interpreters coming to Central. There is great potential for providing quality internships and mentoring services for these interpreters, providing them with a rich experience, while saving money in our service provision. It's a wonderful win-win situation."