Disability Resource Center

Requesting Interpreter Services

It is the philosophy of Disability Resource Center (DRC) to respect Deaf students’ right to autonomy throughout their college career. However, in order to provide interpreter services, students must adhere to the following procedures and guidelines.

In-Class Interpreter Services

• Register with Disability Resource Center by following established DRC procedures.
• Register for classes during the priority registration period and provide DRC staff with a copy of the class schedule as soon as possible. Schedule an Accommodation Appointment at the start of the semester or prior to it to obtain your professor notification letters. Notify DRC staff immediately of any further changes in the schedule.
• Call DRC immediately if, for any reason, a class is going to be missed. Leave a message that includes the student’s name and the class(es) that will be missed.
• Adhere to the following policies regarding absenteeism and tardiness of interpreted classes.
  • Absence: If a student is absent from class without notifying DRC in advance, the student’s interpreter services will be suspended for the day until DRC is notified that subsequent classes scheduled for that day will be attended.
  : DRC understands that it is the right of any student to miss class. However, DRC needs a minimum of 48 hours notice so interpreter resources are used appropriately. Continued absences may result in a suspension of interpreter services for a specified period of time. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Tardiness: If a student will be late to class, s/he should call and inform DRC so the interpreters can be notified to wait additional time. In the event a student is late and the interpreter has not been notified, the interpreter will remain in class:
    Ten (10) minutes for a fifty minute class.
    Fifteen (15)minutes for an hour and fifteen minute class.
    Twenty-five (25)minutes for a two hour class.
• Discuss any interpreting concerns with the interpreter for the class and DRC staff. Every reasonable effort will be made to resolve situations that may arise in a fair manner.

Out-of-Class Interpreter Services

• Obtain an “Interpreter Request Form” from DRC staff for any activity outside of the classroom (club meetings, meetings with instructors, and Continuing Education courses, etc.). If this is not possible, students and Continuing Education students can: Phone, email, or fax requests directly to DRC Staff. The requests should include the same information that is requested on the Interpreter Request Form.
• Requests for interpreter services should be made as early as possible, but must be made at least 4 working days prior to the actual activity. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If informed there is no interpreter available at the requested time, the student should contact DRC to discuss options to include rescheduling the activity or alternative accommodations such as a note taker, if appropriate.
• Inform DRC immediately if a request for an interpreter has been made for an out-of-class activity or Continuing Education class and that activity/class is canceled or changed in any way (time, location, etc.).