Taking another step forward in its strategic commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, Purdue University Northwest is enabling communication via videophones on its Hammond Campus.
Such videophones, produced by Sorenson, provide a means of communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language. The phones complement videophone technology that has been available at PNW’s Westville Campus.
The videophones are available for public use at no charge at the following PNW Hammond and Westville campus locations:
Hammond
- Fitness & Recreation Center, Room 172 (hallway near vending machines);
- Student Union & Library, Room 203 (within library).
Westville
- Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 14 (lounge);
- Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 211 (The Writing Center);
- Technology Building, Room 265 (computer lab);
- Technology Building, Room 355 (Digital Humanities Lab).
The videophones allow visual communication to occur via use of American Sign Language, as well as with hearing people who may or may not utilize ASL. The videophones also benefit those who may be non-verbal.
Funding for the videophones was made available through mandatory contributions to the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The only PNW expense incurred was that of obtaining HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) monitors necessary to connect the phones.
Other information about the videophones can be obtained by contacting Purdue Northwest Associate Director of the Office of Equity and Diversity Kimberly Trajkovski at 219/989-2163 or trajkovs@pnw.edu.
