Services for Students with Disabilities - Interpreters

Interpreting Services Handbook for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

What Services are Available in the Classroom?

• Sign Language Interpreters
• Transliteration Interpreters
• Oral Interpreters
• Note taking
• Assistive Listening Device

What Services Are Available Outside the Classroom?

Interpreters are available for classroom related activities, such as field trips, internships, peer tutoring, tutoring at the Academic Achievement Center, or meetings with instructors. Interpreters are also available for activities, such as appointments with counselors or advisors, registration, meetings with financial aid representatives, purchases at the bookstore, meetings with the campus nurse, or Student Activity Council events.

To request an interpreter, fill out an Interpreter Request form(s) (see Appendix E) as soon as you become aware of an activity. Interpreter Request forms are located outside the interpreters office in building 6 on the Ankeny campus or may be requested from the counseling and advising office at any of the six campuses.


How to Receive Interpreting Services?

You must first ask for services. Ask for services by filling out an Application for Accommodation form and providing supporting documentation of your need for services. Application forms are available through the counseling/advising office on any of the six campuses or by the Coordinator, Special Needs on the Ankeny campus, building 6. Pamela Parker, Coordinator, Special Needs may be reached at (515)964-6850 voice or (515)964-6810 TTY or email pjparker@dmacc.edu. You should apply at least 30 days before the start of the semester to allow enough time to schedule an interpreter. After accommodations are granted, you must give a copy of your schedule to the interpreting office so that interpreting services can be arranged.

What is an Interpreter?

A sign language interpreter is a professional who bridges the communication gap between individuals using spoken English and individuals using American Sign Language.

What is the role of an Interpreter?

1. The interpreter will not discuss with others anything they interpret.
2. The interpreter will sign the information in the exact way she/he hears it.
3. The interpreter will use the language the student understands best.
4. The interpreter will not tell the student what to do, help the student make any decisions, tell the student her/his opinion, or add/delete any information to what the student or the instructor says
   

Responsibilities:

Students are responsible for:

• Completing an Application for Accommodation form and providing supporting documentation.
• Giving a copy of their schedule to the interpreting office.
• Their own learning.
• Providing instructors with accommodation letters, which should be picked up at the Coordinator, Special Needs office.
• Requesting a notetaker from the instructor and supplying NCR paper to the notetakers.
• Being on time and prepared for class.
• Providing prior, timely notification of absences or tardiness to the interpreter.
• Paying attention to the information. If for any reason information is missed (i.e. the student leaving the room, coming late for class, or not watching the interpreter), the student is responsible for getting that information from the instructor.
• Obtaining the information when absent from a class.
• Turning in Interpreter Request form as soon as the student is aware of the event.

Interpreters will be matched to students based on a variety of reasons. As such, specific requests for interpreters will be reviewed but not guaranteed.

Interpreters require a break between classes. Interpreter breaks are used not only for checking messages, but also to give the interpreters eyes and mind a brief rest from the interpreting process. Office hours will be posted on each interpreters door.

See the DMACC Policy for Students with Disabilities (Appendix A) for further guidelines.

If any problems arise between you and your interpreter, first talk about it with the interpreter. If the problems continue, you should contact Sharon Bittner, Director, Academic Support Services in Building 6. Problems should be taken care of as quickly as possible. It is better to bring problems to the proper person rather than talking with your friends or other students.

First, talk about any problems with the instructor. If the problems continue, you may talk with your counselor or advisor, the instructor’s dean, or the Coordinator, Special Needs.

Registration

All students requiring the use of an interpreter should register as early as possible for classes. After you have registered, provide a copy of your schedule to the interpreter's office so that interpreting services can be arranged. Classes fill up fast at DMACC, you should register as early as possible. In the event a DMACC educational interpreter is not available, a freelance interpreter will be used.

Add/Drop/Audit

If you wish to withdraw, audit or add a class during a semester that involves an interpreter, you will need to immediately inform the interpreter's office.

School Cancellations

It is your responsibility to find out if classes have been cancelled due to bad weather. You will need to watch the news from 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. This information is also posted on the web at www.dmacc.edu, www.theiowachannel.com, www.whotv.com, www.woi-tv.com.

If any of these guidelines are unclear please ask an interpreter to sign them to you.