Disability Services for Students (DSS) provides sign language interpreting to students who are
deaf or hard of hearing and use sign language.
Sign language interpreting is only provided when the student is in class. Interpreters will
wait 15 minutes after the class starts for the student to arrive. Students are expected to notify
DSS of absences. Classroom interpreters will abide by the NAD-RID Code Of Professional Conduct.*
To ensure timely delivery of the accommodation students are expected to request Sign Language
Interpreting immediately after they have registered for classes.
If the student does not follow the Sign Language Interpreting Policy and Procedures, interpreter
service may be suspended until the student has contacted their Disability Specialist and cleared
up any difficulties or misunderstandings.
Determine if sign language interpreting is an appropriate accommodation for an individual
student.
Schedule the interpreters for the classes requested by the student.
Assist the student in identifying a back-up plan, if interpreting does not occur
due to unforeseen circumstances.
Consult with faculty about sign language interpreters in the classroom.
Hire, orient and evaluate the interpreters.
INTERPRETERS RESPONSIBILITIES
Be prepared to interpret the academic content of the course.
If possible, arrive at the first class early in order to meet the professor and clarify the
interpreter’s role.
Provide interpreting on class days, including field trips, other required class activities
and test days, until the test begins.
Exception: Students must make a separate request for interpreting class-related activities
after the last day of class, i.e. a review session on Reading and Review Day or interpreting at
the final exam.
Notify DSS if interpreting services were not necessary or of any change in interpreting assignment if accommodation is not needed.
FACULTY RESPONSIBILITIES
Work with DSS to provide interpreting in the class.
If asked, provide the interpreter with a syllabus, handouts, text(if available) and
other materials specific to the course.
Maintain a classroom environment which allows the interpreter to function effectively,
i.e. interpreter can hear the speaker(s); interpreter is allowed to sit and/or stand in a
location visible to the student(s); adequate lighting is provided when showing videos/films.
Be sure videos are captioned, and films are scripted.
Notify the interpreter, as you do the students, of any changes to the syllabus.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Request sign language interpreting from DSS.
Interpreter service is not available after the last day of class unless specifically
requested. Students wanting interpreting for class-related activities during finals week or
during the final exam must make a separate request.
Follow the Sign Language Interpreting policy and procedures as outlined in this document.
Notify DSS of any course schedule changes or absences.
Service will be suspended after 3 consecutive absences in any class without prior notification.
Talk to your Disability Specialist about how to access the lecture when interpreting is not
available.
Report any problems to DSS immediately, so appropriate steps can be taken to correct the
situation. (DSS will not support requests for changing test or assignment due dates if the
problem was not reported in a timely manner.)
Disability Services for Students (DSS) provides sign language interpreting to students who are
deaf or hard of hearing and use sign language.
Sign language interpreting is only provided when the student is in class. Interpreters will
wait 15 minutes after the class starts for the student to arrive. Students are expected to notify
DSS of absences. Classroom interpreters will abide by the NAD-RID Code Of Professional Conduct.*
To ensure timely delivery of the accommodation students are expected to request Sign Language
Interpreting immediately after they have registered for classes.
If the student does not follow the Sign Language Interpreting Policy and Procedures, interpreter
service may be suspended until the student has contacted their Disability Specialist and cleared
up any difficulties or misunderstandings.
Register for classes on the first day of
early registration.
Each semester DSS notifies students who use interpreter service that they can register on the first
day of early registration. Registering early benefits you, because DSS has the greatest amount of time
possible to schedule interpreters for your classes.
Contact your Disability Specialist immediately
after registering to request interpreting service.
Students can email their Disability Specialist or submit a copy of their class schedule with the
classes circled in which interpreting is requested.
Notify DSS immediately of any changes in your
course schedule, i.e. classroom locations, meeting times and when dropping or adding courses.
Interpreting usually begins on the first day of class and ends on the last class day. However,
if you change your schedule shortly before the semester starts, DSS cannot guarantee that sign
language interpreting will be available for the change. If an interpreter is not available,
your Disability Specialist will talk with you about an alternative accommodation.
Interpreter service is not available after the last day of class unless specifically requested. Students wanting interpreting for class-related activities during finals week or for the final exam must make a separate request.
OBTAIN THE ACCOMMODATION FOR ACTIVITIES NOT REQUIRED FOR COURSES
Request interpreting by either contacting DSS or
by contacting the University department or student organization sponsoring the program or service.
For example, if the student is going to a lecture on diversity sponsored by the University Program
Council, the student would call the UPC Office to request.
Make requests at least one week before the event, so there is ample time to schedule an interpreter.
Be willing to consider using a reasonable and effective alternative if an interpreter cannot be located.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Inform DSS immediately of any problems.
It is important to act as soon as a problem arises. It is more difficult to correct a situation that
has been going on longer than a week.
DSS will not support requests for changing test or assignment due dates if the problem was not
reported in a timely manner.
Student and Instructor should have a back-up
plan in place in case the interpreter is unavailable. Talking with your Disability Specialist about
how to handle those situations will prevent interruptions in service from becoming big problems.