Requesting an Interpreter

Student Responsibilities: Requesting an Interpreter

The Office of Accessibility handles requests for sign language interpreters for academic courses and other required academic activities including but not limited to instructor meetings, labs, field trips, and required group work.All other requests for interpreter services should be made to the organization hosting/sponsoring the event. Students, staff and faculty may request an interpreter for office hours, meetings, and other course related events by submitting an interpreter request form. In the unlikely event that a student who uses a sign language interpreter or speech-to-text services shows up for the first day of class without a service provider the student should be referred to the Office of Accessibility. The Office of Accessibility will then make the appropriate arrangements.

Student Responsibility: Assuring Timely Delivery of Interpreting Services & Speech-to-Text:

  • All students receiving interpreting and/or speech-to-text note-taking services are required to register with the Office of Accessibility.
  • Semester course schedules need to be given to the Office of Accessibility as early as possible. Requests for other academic work should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the day of the event (or earlier if possible) to best assure that interpreters can be available.
  • Room/Time Changes: The student must notify the Office of Accessibility of any changes to their schedule as soon as the student is aware of the changes.
  • Student cancellations must be emailed and called in by the student to both the interpreter and the Office of Accessibility 24 hours in advance.
  • Instructor Cancellations: When the instructor has canceled a class, students are responsible for notifying both the interpreter and the Office of Accessibility immediately.
  • Tardiness: Interpreters are required to wait 20 minutes for a 50-minute class and 30 minutes for all other classes. If you have arrived late to class do not ask the interpreter what you missed. It is your responsibility to gather missed information from other students, or the instructor as is the case with any student.
  • Supplemental Interpreting: If students need additional interpreting time for a conference with the instructor, team assignments, or to attend a co-curricular event as assigned by the instructor, an interpreter request form must be submitted to the Office of Accessibility. Please notify the Office of Academic Accessibility as soon as you become aware of the need for an interpreter.

If a problem arises with the interpreter the student should first discuss it with the interpreter involved. If no resolution can be reached, the Office of Accessibility should be contacted. Please do not share concerns with others such as friends or other interpreters; bring unresolved issues to the Office of Accessibility.