This week About.com travels across the world to visit the Doncaster College for the Deaf web site, in the United Kingdom.
Doncaster began in the 1970s as an outgrowth of the Yorkshire Residential School for the Deaf and achieved college status in the 1980s. Like its American counterparts, this college also relies on funding from an outside source, the European Social Fund of the European Union.
Doncaster College, with a few hundred students, is much smaller than Gallaudet or NTID.
Students from outside the United Kingdom who can pay their own way, are invited to apply. This means that deaf high school graduates from the United States and Canada can attend a deaf college in Europe. Students are taught in a Total Communication style. Communication competence is a high priority, and the entire staff is trained to meet a specific British Sign Language communication skill level.
Doncaster has a detailed prospectus, which gives:
- Photo illustrations of the college campus;
- A breakdown of the college's organization into program areas:
- Cross College Learning Support Service, which provides support services such as sign language.
- Student Services and Care Training, which among other things provides instruction in life skills.
- Construction and Motor Vehicle Engineering instruction
- Design and Technology, which provides technical training such as computers.
- Business Studies and Hospitality, offering business and office skills, and food service training.
- Sport, Recreation, and Leisure Studies, giving students opportunities for physical education and recreation.
- Information on other services, such as audiological services, health services, the library, and sign language and deaf awareness training for both the college and local community.
- Details on the Employment Liaison Department, which works with employers to place students in co-operative work experiences and works with students to guide them towards post-college employment.
- An explanation of the college's application process.
Doncaster College is in the city of Doncaster. Plenty of good shopping and cultural activities are nearby for students' enjoyment.