Testimonials
PEPNet strives to support accessible education and training settings for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, but does not endorse any specific product or service mentioned below. These testimonials reflect stakeholders' satisfaction with PEPNet services and offer the public a better understanding of how PEPNet can be of benefit to them.
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"The recent TeleTrainings through PEPNet have provided a wonderful professional development opportunity without having to leave my campus - or even my office! I feel this is truly a win-win for all involved. Experts on a specific topic of interest can collaborate and then present from each individual's location. Persons interested in finding out more about that topic of interest can dial-in from their individual offices or gather in a group in a central location to dial-in and follow along with the provided PowerPoint presentation, printed and electronic materials, and the telephone audio to learn up-to-date information and strategies on current issues in the field of services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. The topics of interest chosen attract a wide array of service providers, professionals, and consumers.
The May 22 TeleTraining, Providing Video Remote Interpreting Accommodations, and the July 13 TeleTraining, Video Conferencing Technology to Provide Interpreting Accommodations, were very timely for Virginia Tech's campus, as we address increasing classroom and employee interpreting requests coupled with the ongoing scarcity of qualified interpreters in southwest Virginia. TeleTraining participants were not only able to get first-hand information on technology/infrastructure/process, links to video examples, and the opportunity to have individual questions addressed, we also left with personal contacts for further information and future reference. And did I mention this was all from the comfort of my office where no one knows if I had lipstick on or my shoes off?! I believe the August 24 TeleTraining, Addressing the Needs of Consumers who are Deaf and Low Functioning, assembled over 300 participants from all over the nation on a summer Friday afternoon. Isn't technology wonderful!
Thank you, PEPNet, for making use of this technology to provide such informative and convenient professional development opportunities. I look forward to participating in many more and encourage all who have not participated in these live TeleTrainings to make note of upcoming trainings and to access archived TeleTrainings through the PEPNet website."
Connie Wilkinson
Assistant Director
Services for Students with Disabilities
Virginia Tech
"Using C-Print in high school had a positive impact on my performance in the classroom. C-Print enabled me to follow more closely what was happening during class as well as seeing what comments my fellow classmates were making. This allowed me to be more involved in class discussions and enabled me to relate better to my peers. As it did in high school, C-Print continues to do so in college, allowing me to tackle my studies with the same gusto as my hearing peers."
Alexandra Johnson
Student
Rochester Institute of Technology
"I have attended four PEPNet conferences and each time I have gone, I've come back with a "heavy set" of new information and knowledge to apply to my job or towards serving Deaf/HH students in the post-secondary environment. While I'd like to say I'm somewhat a "novice" in this profession, this conference allows me to realize the new trends, changes, and opportunities within our field and I would be lost without something like this! The networking opportunities with fellow colleagues and professionals provide me with advice that often "saves the day" because we become so exclusive to just our way of doing our job at our site thinking all is dandy. While it may be dandy, you'd be surprised what you're missing out on, I highly encourage anyone in this profession to attend this conference. I look forward to attending it every two years!"
Lauren Kinast
Deaf/HH Services Coordinator
Services for Students with Disabilities
The University of Texas at Austin
"I am a VR counselor supervisor and have had many contacts with PEPNet. PEPNet is always easily accessible, beneficial, provides up-to-date latest info that I can always trust. I know I can rely on PEPNet. I don't have to do it alone. I am a fussy person who will not attach my name to something that I cannot trust. I readily refer families to the PEPNet web site and materials. I use PEPNet materials in my counseling too."
"It helped one teacher that I know, and then, she helped her friend in another school who wanted some materials, so it's a ripple effect."
"I cover 17 counties and 30 schools. I cannot get to them all, but PEPNet web site and products can! It is very easy for me to make a referral that I can always trust. I've never doubted that they would get good information. I'm happy to put my name on PEPNet advice! It's scary to think that PEPNet may no longer be there!"
"Thru PEPNet, I felt more comfort using different approaches.....CART, C Print, Sound Field technology. We wouldn't have known about without PEPNet."
"Downlinks help in becoming advocates. For funding issues: Administrators could HEAR what other colleges are doing. I played the clip from the downlink to my boss who took it to his boss."
"I thought at least now I have someone to call and ask questions - it was helpful - very specifically - C-Print, tip sheets, the PEPNet National Conferences - I have received practical ideas and recommendations. I have borrowed materials from others at workshops. I have picked up a lot of practical things to use."
"NETAC has provided me with credible resources that I can use to substantiate the decisions I make as a service provider."
"Staying on top of the developments in the field and keeping us on the cutting edge is what PEPNet does."
"The Value is a safety net. If you do not have a trusted place to go then you will lose credibility with administrators, etc. If you try to make a case and you have the credibility of NETAC and PEPNet it makes a world of difference."
