Interpreters/captionists are an accommodation provided to a student to access the spoken word. Interpreter/captionists act as a conduit for the student and the professor/lecturer. Professional/ethical standards require that interpreter/captionists not actively participate or monitor students.
Sign language interpreters/captionists provide communication access for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students and hearing people who do not sign.
Interpreting/Captioning is not verbatim.
Lag time is inherent when interpreting/captioning. The interpreter/captionist will be a few words behind the speaker. Therefore, when posing questions extra time is required to give full access to Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students.
Team interpreting/captioning, (i.e. providing two interpreters/captionists for a course/lecture) is appropriate when lectures exceed one hour in length, are complex in nature or when there are several presenters.
Interpreters/captionists do not function as aids or participants in classes.
Concerns and/or issues with the provision of interpreting/captioning services or particular interpreting/captionist styles should be discussed directly with Disability Services’s Interpreter/Captionist Coordinator.
Interpreters/captionists may be able to answer questions specific to interpreting/captioning outside of class time.
Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students will be asked to complete an evaluation of interpreting services provided at the end of each semester.
Additional Facts About Captioning
Transcripts are not shared with other students; they are an accommodation and not for general usage. This is a critical issue as it relates to academic ownership. Disability Services reserves the right to terminate provision of course transcripts in the event they are shared with other students.
As with all technology, malfunctions may occur with the computers used for captioning.
