Disability and Access Services: Sign Language Interpreter

Sign language/interpreter services are appropriate for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. This service is available for classroom activities and events related to class requirements in order to provide equal access.

Disability and Access Services (DAS) will coordinate sign language interpreters for students with a documented disability who have been approved for this academic adjustment by the DAS Coordinator.

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The following identifies the responsibilities of the student and DAS if the student chooses to utilize sign language interpreters:

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Provide the DAS Coordinator with appropriate documentation of the disability. The student must provide documentation of a significant hearing loss that prevents access to educational services. This documentation may be either as an audiogram, language testing or speech evaluation, or other appropriate school/medical records.
2. Students must be in good financial standing with the College

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Responsibilities: Student

1. Student should request interpreter services for classes a minimum of six weeks prior to the start of the quarter. Student understands that requests made with less than six weeks notice may be difficult to fill. Student must notify DAS immediately of any changes to his or her class schedule. Students request by filling out a Quarterly Request for Accommodations form.
2. Student shall notify DAS within a reasonable amount of time, preferably at least two weeks in advance, when requesting an interpreter for events, appointments, or meetings outside of regularly scheduled class time. Student will complete a Sign Language Interpreter Request Form.
3. Student will utilize DAS Early Priority Registration, which is usually eight weeks prior to the start of the quarter.
4. Student should notify DAS of any difficulty with an interpreter.
5. Student will notify DAS; at least 24 hours in advance if unable to attend class or other pre-arranged interpreter requested appointment.
6. The student will be responsible for keeping an accurate schedule showing times and places accommodations are needed.
7. Student understands that the interpreter will only wait 10 minutes per scheduled class hour. If the student does not show within that time frame or call the DAS Office to inform of late arrival, the interpreter will leave and report to the DAS Office for reassignment.
8. After three absences or no shows interpreting services will be suspended until the student meets with the DAS Coordinator.

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Responsibilities: DAS

1. DAS will send a letter by mail or email to the student outlining the student's approved academic adjustments.
2. DAS will arrange for interpreters upon request for appropriate LCC College classes, events, or meetings. Under no circumstances will Lower Columbia College be responsible for payment of interpreter serviced unless authorized in advance by DAS or other authorized LCC personnel.
3. DAS will consider Interpreter Requests that are at least three business days in advance but may not be able to fill request with the short notice.
4. DAS will make every effort to appropriately schedule qualified interpreters based on the student's language needs, the interpreter's skills, the course/event content, and the professor/presenter's style.

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The above responsibilities have been explained to me, and I understand my responsibilities.