The CUNY Multi Media Regional Center (MMRC) at the College of Staten (CSI) Island provides a wide-ranging combination of facilities, equipment, and support services where CUNY Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students can acquire AT hardware, software and a media library which houses closed captioned multi-media in myriad formats. The MMRC, located in building 1 North Room 115, is our official “Resource Center for the Deaf and Multi Media Regional Center”. The MMRC houses four wireless computers with various visual software utilities, among many other technological resources.

The MMRC developed the assistive technology service such as Communications Access Real time Translation (CART). Through active research, the staff have cultivated and deployed this service on the CSI campus as well as developed a method for providing CART services to other CUNY Deaf and Hard of Hearing students via the internet from various remote locations; thus effectively providing an unprecedented quality of service and reducing the cost substantially. The MMRC staff teaches, trains and undertakes ongoing assessment of different types of technology offering optimal learning opportunities for CUNY Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.

The MMRC is staffed by Maryellen Smolka and Nicole Dory.

Maryellen Smolka is an Interpreter/CART Service Provider/Trainer/Developer. Maryellen provides ongoing support to all CUNY campuses with regard to the training and provision of CART providers. She is available for consultation at 718-982-3341.

Nicole Dory is the Information Technology Support Assistant/CART Provider/Trainer/Developer and provides the ongoing support for CART on-site/remote technologies. Nicole co-facilitates training of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students and CART service providers. She is available for support and consultation at 718-982-3406.