Students who will require the use of sign language interpreters must make known their needs to the Assistant Director of the Office of Disability Services as soon as they receive acceptance notification from the University. The Assistant Director will set up an early meeting with the student in order to establish this service.

The following are the expectations of students who will be utilizing interpreters:

1. If you are going to be absent from class or assignment, you must notify the Office of Disability Services in advance. You must call even if there are other students in the class using interpreters. (Advance notice is considered to be at least two hours before the class.)

If you do not show up for a class or assignment twice without advance notice, interpreter services for that class will be interrupted until you meet with the Assistant Director of the Office of Disability Services. Continual absences without notice after this meeting may result in termination of interpreter services for this class.

2. The interpreter will wait at the class/assignment for ten minutes and will then leave if you have not yet arrived. This will be considered as an absence without advance notice. If you know in advance that you will be late, call the Office of Disability Services and an attempt will be made to contact the interpreter.

3. During class, your questions should always be directed to the instructor. Questions from the instructor will be directed to you.

4. You should not have personal conversations with the interpreter during class.

5. You and the interpreter may wish to meet to discuss or develop new sign vocabulary for your class. If you have any difficulties understanding your interpreter or have concerns about your interpreter, you are encouraged to meet with the interpreter to discuss these issues. If you are unable to resolve the problem(s), make an appointment to meet with the Assistant Director of the Office of Disability Services.

Each semester you will be asked to evaluate the performance of your interpreters. This information will be shared with the interpreter in order to provide you with the best service possible.

6. There is a Standard of Ethics for interpreter services at Eastern. A copy of this is included in the Appendix of this Student Handbook. Please familiarize yourself with this document.