Sign Language Interpreters

Overview

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides sign language interpreting services for deaf students who are registered with our office.

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Requirements to Receive Service

Deaf students should initially verify their hearing loss with the DRC office by providing medical documentation from a physician or a licensed audiologist, including a recent audiogram.

Students should then schedule an intake appointment with the Deaf Services Specialist to discuss and make arrangements for appropriate services. At this meeting, students will sign an Interpreting Agreement to confirm that they have read and understood policies related to the provision of these services.

Students should meet with the Deaf Services Specialist within one week of registering for classes to discuss services to be requested for the following quarter. Students should also notify the Deaf Services Specialist of any subsequent class changes as soon as possible to allow time for support services to be arranged or altered.

Special Requests

As a professional courtesy, requests for educationally related interpreting services outside of regular classroom hours should be submitted at least one week in advance to allow sufficient time to locate available interpreters. The coordination of interpreting services for off campus events, such as educational field trips, is complex and may involve outside interpreting agencies who require advance notice as well. Students should notify the Deaf Services Specialist as soon as a trip has been confirmed, and work together with the instructor to ensure effective communication regarding time and place.

Students may request interpreting services for extra-curricular events by contacting the hosting department.

Interpreter Absences

If an interpreter is ill, or has an unexpected urgent family emergency, he or she should call the DRC as soon as possible and speak directly to the Deaf Services Specialist, or to a staff person, to specify which classes and assignment times will be missed.

Interpreters requesting substitutes for reasons other than illness or emergencies must get prior approval from the Deaf Services Specialist. As consistency of interpreting is critical, requests for substitutes will be approved only for compelling reasons and when an appropriate substitute can be found. All substitute requests must be written on a substitute request form and submitted two weeks in advance.

In the event that an interpreter fails to show up for an assignment, the student should contact the Deaf Services Specialist as soon as possible. If available, a replacement will be sent. If not, a tape recorder may be provided so that the lecture can be recorded and interpreted at a later date.

Student Absences or Class Cancelations

Students need to notify the Deaf Services Specialist immediately if scheduled interpreting services are not required so that interpreters may be redirected to other assignments or canceled. Unless serious or compelling circumstances prevent it,  students not attending class (or the requested event) need to notify the DRC 48 hours in advance (not including weekends). 

Late Arrival

When a student is not present at the beginning of class, the interpreter will wait outside the classroom for a time period equal to five minutes for every half-hour of the class period. If the student does not arrive within the designated time, this will be considered a "no show" and the interpreter should notify the Deaf Services Specialist as soon as possible to seek reassignment. If no reassignment is available, the interpreter should return to the DRC office

Final Exams

Interpreters will not automatically be assigned for final exams. During final exam week, all services are by request only. If the student would like an interpreter for a final exam, the student should contact the Deaf Services Specialist and submit an email request two weeks in advance.

Requests for Interpreter Preference and/or Replacement

Student and interpreter preferences will be considered when determining scheduling assignments; final responsibility for assignment of interpreting resources lies with the Deaf Services Specialist.

Students and interpreters share the responsibility for the provision of high quality interpreting services. Should difficulties arise that can not be resolved, either party may contact the Deaf Services Specialist for assistance.

 

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