For more information on Students and Accessibility Services, please click on this link.
Interpreters are provided to many students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Interpreters are persons who are taught to translate words into the style of language best understood by the student.
Students with various types and degrees of hearing loss (some of which you may not see) may qualify for interpreter services. Some students with hearing impairments may get along reasonably well in day-to-day activities. However, they may still need interpreter services to function in an academic setting in order to access all the subtleties of language required for comprehension.
Interpreters may be in person or in VRI-video remote interpreting.
It is best practice if you have a student with hearing concerns to have the class in a Smart Classroom.
Instructors can have access to a lapel microphone to capture their lecture better from the Accessibility Services office.
Speak in first person and directly to the student who is deaf; the interpreter will translate.
Speak clearly and use precise language.
Whenever possible, give a list of technical or scientific words in advance or powerpoints. Unfamiliar vocabulary is difficult to interpret.
When not possible, write the words on paper, or the whiteboard.
Give important changes in meeting times, assignments, etc. in writing.
Allow extra time when you refer to texts so the student can check the reference and return his or her attention back to the interpreter.