Sign Language Interpreting Services

Disability Services provides sign language interpreting for students who know sign language and have trouble understanding or hearing lectures and discussions in classes and meetings. Students must first submit documentation to the Disability Services (DS) that supports the need for this accommodation. Students approved for sign language interpreting will be asked to read and sign the Sign Language Interpreting Guidelines concerning required procedures related to interpreting services. Students are provided with accommodation letters for professors each semester which provide notification and information about these services.

Role of Sign Language Interpreters

Sign language interpreters are trained professionals, certified with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf who have been evaluated and deemed qualified to provide college-level interpreting.  Using effective sign language, they will interpret everything said in classrooms and meetings, including, faculty instructions and lecture material, student comments, side conversations, and environmental noises.

In most cases, a team of two interpreters will be assigned to each class for the entire semester. Occasionally, sign language interpreters will ask students to work with them on sign choices for class, prepare for an oral presentation and/or discuss issues regarding class-related information (e.g., a group meeting or project outside of class, where should they sit or stand, how to coordinate group discussion in class, etc.).

Current Students to Submit Request for Sign Language Interpreting

If you are approved for sign language interpreting, please copy your class schedule for semester-long or session-long course(s) and email it to the DHHS Specialist as soon as you have registered, no later than 4 weeks prior to the first day of class. You must provide:

• Name of course
• Course number and section
• Day(s) and time of course
• Building and room number

The DHHS Specialist will confirm through email the status of your request.

Prospective Students to Submit Request for Sign Language Interpreting

If you need to meet with an admissions counselor, financial aid, or other department, please call 720-210-5827 or email at Karen.Boyd@colorado.edu at least 10 business days in advance of the event.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made less than 48 hours in advance of the event will be billed at full charge. A request is considered canceled when received by the coordinator.

• Information an/or in-service sessions on deafness, including:
• the use of an interpreter
• use of TTY or audio/visual equipment
• Deaf culture
• Deaf legal rights
• communication access related issues
• Deaf and hearing staff members working together are provided upon request.

Interpreting Services Guidelines for Advertising Accessibility to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
All departments and programs are encouraged to make events accessible to deaf and hard of hearing individuals by including one of the following statements in their outgoing information:

• "To request a sign language or oral interpreter, call (your contact number) at least 10 business days in advance."

  OR

• "For access or accommodation, please call (your contact number) at least 10 business days in advance."

This wording can be placed towards the bottom of the advertisement in a smaller but readable type. The accessibility statement may be accompanied by the interpreter logo next to it.

Important Note: Event sponsors must submit all requests to the Disability Services interpreter coordinator at least 10 business days in advance of the event. For all requests submitted to the coordinator less than 10 full business days in advance, an interpreter may not be available.

When a deaf or hard of hearing individual calls, make sure to note their name and phone number to assist in completing your request. At times questions regarding the language preference of the Deaf individual may arise, and this assists us in meeting his or her unique needs. Some persons may not want to give that information, and that is acceptable as well. We will fill the request to the best of our ability.

After you receive a request for interpreting services, you can send that electronically by completing the Campus Accessibility Request Form.

Should you have any questions or concerns, call 720-210-5827 or e-mail at Karen.Boyd@colorado.edu.