Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services

Accessibility & Disability Services provides reasonable accommodations (i.e. ASL Interpreters, real-time transcription, assistive listening) to ensure communication access.

Students are responsible to meet reasonable course expectations, attendance, and participation expectations. Students are also responsible to utilize services from other departments, such as Academic Advising, Tutoring, Financial Aid, etc.

Students receiving interpreting/transcribing services should also:

• Filll out an ADS Application (link)
• Meet with an ADS advisor to discuss accommodation needs.
• If there is class schedule change, update accommodation requests immediately
• Request accommodations for school related activities/events (tutoring, meeting with instructor, study sessions, club or college activities) at least 2 school days in advance.
• Notify the Interpreter Manager of any changes including location information, class cancellation, etc.
• Notify the Interpreter Manager if you will not be in class. 3 consecutive no-shows (missed classes with no notification to ADS) results in suspended services. Please contact your ADS advisor when you plan to return to classes so that we know you are ready to resume services.

Information about ASL interpreters and real-time transcribers

•  Interpreters/transcribers facilitate communication.
• Interpreters/transcribers adhere to professional standards. Interpreters must follow a Code of Professional Conduct. Real-time transcribers adhere to either the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics or the TypeWell Transcriber’s Code of Ethics.
• Interpreters/transcribers do not participate in, edit conversation, or share their personal opinions while facilitating communication.
• Interpreters/transcribers do not tutor or help with assignments
• Interpreters/transcribers wait 20 minutes in case of late arrival/ late log in (virtual classes)
• Students are encouraged to give feedback to interpreters/transcribers. Our goal is to make sure communication is clear- so feel free to share with us sign preferences or other helpful information.
• Students may request preferred providers before the start of classes. Please note that this cannot be guaranteed.
• ADS interpreters often provide mentoring and internship opportunities for students studying to become certified interpreters. ADS interpreters closely monitor interns to make sure that you still have communication access. You are always welcome to share your preferences with the ADS interpreters working in your classes or with the Interpreter Manager. You also may decline having an intern interpret your class.

• Speak directly to the student. No need to say “tell him/her ..…”
• Handouts: providers may request copies of handouts, vocabulary lists, or videos used during class. Advanced preparation allows them to accurately interpret/transcribe the information.
• Tutoring: providers do not tutor students. If the student is struggling with course material, instructors should refer students to various tutoring services on campus.
• Student Interpreters: ADS interpreters often work with students in interpreter training programs. ITP Students may observe or work with the interpreters in your classroom.
• Videos: All videos must have captions. For assistance contact ADSCaptioning@slcc.edu or call 801-957-4659. Please allow up to 5 business days for captions to be processed. Note: it is preferable to record your videos using either Camtasia or directly recorded in Canvas.
  • Autogenerated captioning is not to be used in place of an ADA accommodation request for real-time transcription or ASL interpreting. All requests for communication access must be honored with live, real-time providers. Learn more about Zoom meeting Closed captioning and live transcription.
• Canvas: ADS will add providers to course canvas pages as “observers” to ensure access to course announcements, instructional materials, etc.
• When using visual aids, allow students time to read/look at the visual aid and then re-focus on the interpreter.
• Real-time transcription: Most ADS transcribers work remotely. Students are responsible to initiate connecting with the provider. Instructors may be asked to use a wireless microphone to provide clear audio for the transcriber.
• Assistive Listening Devices/FM Systems: Some students benefit from technology to amplify spoken language. You may be asked to wear a lapel mic that that sends your voice directly to the listener, reducing distraction from environmental noise. ADS will provide this equipment.

What is an ASL Interpreter?

• Paid, certified professional who facilitates communication
• Adheres to a Code of Professional Conduct with tenants regarding confidentiality, impartiality, accuracy, discretion, professionalism, continuing education, and accountability
• Does not tutor or act as a proctor for the student/class
• Does not discuss the student’s academic performance, personal issues, or diagnosis.

What do they do?

• Provide communication access, working between American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
• Cultural mediation between mainstream American Hearing culture and Deaf culture.
• Sits near the front of the room, so the student has a direct line of sight of both the interpreter and the instructor.
• Typically work in teams and switch places about every 20 minutes.
• Ask for clarification to ensure message accuracy.
• Wait approximately 20 minutes for the student, at which point they may be reassigned elsewhere.

What is real-time transcription?

• An accurate transcription of spoken words momentarily after they are spoken. Most people are familiar with court reporters who type verbatim transcripts during court proceedings. This is a similar service but happens in a classroom setting.
• Most ADS transcribers work remotely connecting with students via SKYPE or MS Teams. The transcriber will share a link with the student that allows them to view the real-time transcription.
• Typically, students are responsible to bring ADS provided equipment to class and to initiate connecting with the transcriber.

Qualifications

• Real-time transcribers have undergone extensive training to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to work.
• Real-time transcribers adhere to either the NCRA Code of Professional Ethics or the TypeWell Transcriber’s Code of Ethics.

Additional Tips

• Real-time transcript notes are intended for use only by the student authorized by ADS.
• Because transcripts need to be edited and distributed quickly to students, they are not guaranteed to have 100% correct grammar/spelling.
• Providers wait 20 minutes to connect with the student, at which point they may be reassigned elsewhere.
• Students struggling with course material should be referred to various tutoring services on campus.
• Instructors may be asked to use a wireless microphone to provide clear audio access to the remote transcriber.

Event planners requesting ASL interpreters or real-time transcription for

• College-wide events
• Performances (Theatrical, musical, etc.)
• Division and Town Hall meetings
• Club events
• Other SLCC sponsored events

Please complete the Service Request Form to schedule a provider. Complex events typically require at least 2 ASL Interpreters and/or 2 transcribers to ensure accuracy.

All event advertising materials should include information for how attendees can request ADA accommodations. Suggested verbiage: "Individuals who require ADA accommodations for this event should contact the Accessibility and Disability Services office at (801) 957-4659 or email ADS@slcc.edu at least five business days before the event."

Associated costs will be charged to the department sponsoring the event. Estimated charges can be provided in advance by request. All efforts will be made to utilize internal employees to minimize costs, however, if it is necessary to utilize a vendor the actual cost will be billed.

Please note: autogenerated captioning may be utilized as a Universal Design measure. It is not to be used in place of an ADA accommodation request for real-time transcription or ASL interpreting. All requests for communication access must be honored with live, real-time providers.

Learn more about Zoom meeting Closed captioning and live transcription.

There is a Sorenson video phone available for use at several campuses. The remote for the VP is sometimes stored at the checkout desk and you might need to ask a librarian to borrow it.

Taylorsville Redwood Campus
Markosian Library
Main floor, North-West corner

South City Campus
Library
SCM 1-022

Jordan Campus
Health Sciences Library
JHS 235

Miller Campus
Larry H Miller Library
MFEC123

West Valley Campus
Lobby Area