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Interpreter Services
Interpreter Requests
Expectations for Students
Expectations for Interpreters
If you will need interpreting services for classes, contact the ODS
Coordinator of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services as soon as you know you will be
attending
GMU. Upon registration for classes, immediately contact the coordinator. Likewise, if any changes occur, contact the coordinator with updates. Late notification of changes in a student’s
schedule or late registration may result in delayed provision of
interpreting services. The Coordinator of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services (CD/HoH) will
schedule interpreters for your classes based on your class schedule.
Interpreter Requests
To request an interpreter for anything other than regularly scheduled
class time (meeting, field trip, counseling, etc), you will need to
complete an Interpreter Request Form as early as possible (at least 48
hours notice is recommended). Any off-campus interpreter requests should
be turned in as soon as you know of the need. The “Interpreter Request
Form” should be filled out completely and then submitted to the CD/HoH.
For the Interpreter Request Form, click here .
These additional requests will be covered on a first come/first serve basis, depending on interpreter availability. If, for some reason, the request cannot be filled, effort will be made to notify you ahead of time.
Expectations for Students
ODS strives to provide the best possible services to you; therefore, the following policies and procedures apply to students using interpreters:
- You must notify the CD/HoH in advance if you will
not attend a class or assignment. For 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM classes, the
student must call the ODS Office (703-993-3601 voice/703-993-3876 tty) no
later than 7:00 AM.
For 10:00 AM or later classes, the student must call the ODS office
(703-993-3601 voice/703-993-3876 tty) at least 2 hours before the
beginning of the
class. You must call, even if there are others in the class using interpreters. If you do not show up for a class or assignment two times without advance notice, interpreter services will be suspended for that class until you arrange a meeting with the CD/HoH. After this meeting, interpreter services will resume. The third no-show for that class will result in a meeting with the director, coordinator and equity office. To obtain interpreters for future sessions of that class, you must schedule another meeting with the CD/HoH to review policy.
- The interpreter will wait at the class/assignment for 15
minutes (for each hour of class/assignment time), and will then
leave if
you have not arrived. This will be considered an absence without advance
notice. If you know in advance that you may be late, call or text message
the CD/HoH (lcarrer1@gmu.edu) and an attempt
will be made to notify the interpreter.
- During class, your questions should always be directed to the
instructor. Questions from the instructor should be directed to you.
- Avoid having personal conversations with the interpreter during class.
- Please allow interpreters to have their break during break time.
- You and the interpreter may wish to meet before or after class to
discuss or develop new
sign vocabulary for your class. If you have any difficulties understanding your interpreter, or concerns about the interpreter, you are encouraged to meet with the interpreter to discuss them. If you are unable to resolve an issue, contact the CD/HoH. You may request that the CD/HoH observe the interpreter in your class.
- If you are giving a presentation or speech in class, and want the
interpreter to voice interpret, it is recommended that you meet with the interpreter in advance. An Interpreter meeting can be set up if schedules permit.
- Each semester, students are asked to anonymously evaluate their interpreters. The student feedback will be summarized and shared with each interpreter in order to improve and provide the best possible services to you.
Expectations for Interpreters
A high standard of professionalism is required of GMU interpreters. They are expected to follow a Code of Ethics established by the national organization, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). In addition, they are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of GMU Interpreting Services. These policies include:
- The interpreter is expected to treat all assignment-related information confidentially. The interpreter should not talk about what happens in your class, meeting, or counseling session.
- The interpreter is expected to interpret the full message accurately and should not censor or add to the message.
- The interpreter should remain impartial and not become involved in the situation they are interpreting.
- The interpreter should not offer or give personal information about you, but instead suggest the person speak to you directly.
In the educational environment, interpreters may at times need to share accommodation related issues with other staff on a need-to-know basis. The ODS staff adopts a team approach in the collaboration and sharing of work related information. As a result, there will be times when interpreters share information about students and work experiences/challenges for the purpose of improving the quality of ODS Interpreting Services.
If you have a question about an interpreter's conduct or performance, you should discuss it with the interpreter and/or the Coordinator of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services.
Request an Interpreter
Return to services and accommodations offered
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