Guidelines for Requesting and Utilizing Interpreter Services
In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, no qualified student with a documented disability shall, on the basis of the disability, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any academic program or activity at Santa Fe College. SF will provide, at no direct cost to the student, interpreter services for classes, related academic requirements, and non-academic out-of-class activities sponsored by the college.
Request for Services
At the time of the first request, each student will meet with a staff member in the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) to discuss his or her needs and to sign an agreement acknowledging familiarity with these policies. Students needing interpreter services are encouraged to register during the early registration period. Students are urged to finalize their schedules far in advance of the first class day so that interpreters can be scheduled according to student preference and interpreter availability. DRC staff members will assist with arranging schedules and with registration, if needed. It is important that requests for interpreters be submitted to DRC as soon after registration as possible.
Students are encouraged to submit any non-classroom interpreter requests at least three business days in advance, but more notice is preferable. Interpreter coverage for last minute requests cannot be guaranteed, even though attempts will always be made to find coverage. All interpreting services must be requested through the DRC, including meetings with professors or group meetings with other students for projects or assignments. Tests taken outside of regular class time will be treated as a special request, and students should submit requests for reviews and final exams as far in advance as possible.
"No Shows" or Class Cancellations
Students and interpreters should notify DRC at least 24 hours in advance if they will not be in class due to illness. If scheduled interpreting services are not needed, or if the student is canceling for reasons other than illness, then the student is required to notify the DRC at least 48 hours in advance.
After three student "no shows" during one semester (if a class is missed three times without 24 hours of advance notification), interpreting services may be canceled. The student must then meet with a DRC Counselor to explain why the absences are occurring and to determine how they will be avoided in the future in order to have interpreter services reinstated.
Late Arrival
When a student is not present at the beginning of class, the interpreter will wait outside the classroom for a time period equal to five minutes for every half-hour of the class period. If the student does not arrive within the allotted time, this will be considered as a "no-show" and the interpreter will leave. The interpreter will notify the DRC within one business day of a "no show."
Final Exam Week
During final exam week, all interpreter services are by request only. If the student would like an interpreter for a final exam, the student should contact the DRC and request an interpreter two weeks in advance.
Requests for Interpreter Preference and/or Replacement
Student and interpreter preferences will be considered when determining scheduling assignments; final responsibility for assignment of interpreting resources lies with DRC. Students and interpreters share the responsibility for the provision of high quality interpreting services. Should difficulties arise that cannot be resolved, either party may contact the DRC for assistance.
Monitoring of Interpreters
Interpreters will be evaluated by students and the DRC each semester. If the student is not satisfied with the interpreter service, or if the interpreter wishes to be replaced, the DRC should be contacted as soon as the problem arises so that appropriate action may be taken.
Interpreter's Role
The interpreter's role is to facilitate communication between the hearing-impaired student and the hearing persons in the student's educational environment. If the student talks with other students during class, the interpreter may voice the conversation. The interpreter cannot answer a student's question during class. If the student has a question, the student should raise his/her hand. The interpreter will speak for the student, if requested. The interpreter cannot participate in the class. Students should not socialize with interpreters while they are on the job. Interpreters will keep all information confidential.
