Requesting Sign Language Interpreters and Real-Time Captionists
(available in PDF format: Interpreter/C-Print Captionist Request Policy)
Student's Responsibilities
Making the Request
No-Shows
Schedule Changes
Note
Student's Responsibilities
- Students are encouraged to meet with their professors before classes start to discuss the use of the interpreter and the individual student's special learning needs.
- Students are responsible for introducing the interpreter to the professor in the first day of class, and for introducing the interpreter to any appropriate persons during specially requested assignment.
- Students are responsible for all information presented in class. The interpreter is not responsible for retaining and repeating information the student missed.
- The student is responsible for informing the SDS office of any changes in a regularly scheduled assignment
Making the Request
The following procedures are important to follow to ensure appropriate coverage of classes and events.
- All requests for a sign-language/oral interpreter or real-time captioning services must be made via e-mail as far in advance as possible (more than 2 business days for individual requests; four weeks for scheduling a full semester).
- For interpreter service, send your e-mail to: sds_cu@cornell.edu with a copy to: signlangsols@aol.com
- For real-time captioning service, send your e-mail to: sds_cu@cornell.edu and a copy to your primary captionist.
- All requests are subject to approval by Student Disability Services. Your interpreting/real-time captioning needs may not be covered without an official request.
- All requests are formally tracked through email/on computer. This documented information is vital in referencing for future interpreter/captionist placements.
- All requests must include the following information:
- Date
- Begin time
- Duration or end time
- Location
- A brief explanation of meeting purpose (this is essential in determining if more than one interpreter may be necessary).
- Any other specific requests (i.e., specific interpreter preference, etc.)
- Last minute requests (with 2 or less days notice) should be:
If your request is for a sign-language or oral interpreter, you will receive an e-mail reply from the Sign Language Solutions office within 24 hours confirming your request and providing information regarding the interpreter placement for your request.
If your request is for real-time captioning, you will receive an e-mail from either a captionist or Student Disability Services to confirm your request.
- For interpreters: called in to Susan Wardwell at Sign Language Solutions at 607-738-8244 (through relay) followed by an e-mail (see above).
- For captionists: called in to Student Disability Services at 607-254-4545 (through relay) followed by an e-mail (see above).
Every possible effort will be made to cover these requests with the understanding that interpreting/ captioning resources are limited and may not always be available to meet last minute requests.
No-Shows
Students and interpreters should notify the SDS office 24 hours in advance if they will not be able to attend a class or special event.
Interpreters will wait outside the door until the student arrives unless other arrangements are made. Interpreters will wait five minutes from the official starting time of the class for each half-hour of class time. If the student has not shown up after the waiting time has elapsed, the interpreter will leave.
If a student misses the class three times without advance notification, the student must meet with Katherine Fahey, Director of SDS, in order to continue to receive interpreter services.
If the interpreter does not show up for class, the student should wait for 10 minutes, then contact the SDS office. This can be done by telephone at 607-254-4545 or via e-mail at sds_cu@cornell.edu.
Schedule Changes
There may be times that an interpreting/real-time captioning schedule may change and/or your interpreter/captionist may need a substitute (i.e., vacation, etc.). You will be notified via email when this may happen. If an interpreter is ill the day of the assignment you will be contacted via email as well. If you would like to provide a phone number of another way of reaching you for last minute changes or cancellations, please forward those numbers on to signlangsols@aol.com or your captionist as well as to sds_cu@cornell.edu.
Note
It is acceptable for you to check with your primary interpreter or captionist regarding availability to cover any additional or extracurricular requests you may have. However, your formal request still must be e-mailed following the above procedures with a note that you have already checked with your primary interpreter and would like to confirm their availability.