Communication and Interpreting Services are accommodations provided by Disability Services to provide equal access of classroom material. These services include:
 

Real-time Captioning

Post-production Captioning

Sign-Language Interpreting

Assistive Listening Devices

Transcripts

How Communications and Interpreting Services Work

Before the start of each term, Disability Services (DS) will send an email to all students approved for Sign Language Interpreting (SLI), Real Time Captioning (RTC), and/or Post Production Captioning (PPC). (Reminder emails will be sent accordingly, too.)

Students will be asked to fill out and submit our ASL and Captioning Request Form to request services related to sign language interpreting and captioning. In addition, students may use this form to request services for other academic-related matters, such as private or group meetings with classmates, faculty or staff.

Once this information is received by DS, our office will then follow-up with the student’s instructors to inform them that interpreting and/or captioning services will be used in their course for the upcoming/current academic term. Also included in these emails will be guidance and tips for faculty in terms of assisting the student with their accommodation request.

Requests for PPC will be coordinated by our Digital Accessibility Office (DAO) in collaboration with Disability Services and the student’s faculty, as needed.

For SLI and RTC requests, DS will contact our 3rd party vendors to schedule these services for the student’s course(s). If a student would like to schedule a training session with our vendor to learn more about the accommodation and how to use it, they can email us at DSCommAccess@colorado.edu.

Finally, if a student encounters issues with their interpreting and/or captioning accommodation(s), or if they anticipate missing a class or need to cancel services, they should email DSCommAccess@colorado.edu.

Once a student is approved for American Sign Language and/or Captioning Services, they are sent a copy of the Student Agreement and Cancellation Policy.

 

Student Agreement and Cancellation Policy

Requesting and Using Communication and Interpreting Services Services

To request American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting, Real-Time Captioning and/or Post-Production Captioning for recurring courses, or for a one-time event (e.g., meeting with instructor), you will need to submit an ASL and Captioning Request.

For recurring courses, submit requests after you have registered for classes, but no later than two weeks before the start of a semester. For one-time events, submit requests as soon as possible, but at least 48 hours prior to the event.

Disability Services will confirm with you once services have been secured. If you request post-production captioning services, the Digital Accessibility Office will follow up with you regarding next steps.

If there are any changes made to your schedule (e.g., changes in class time, location, Zoom link/password, adding or dropping a class), email DSCommAccess@colorado.edu immediately.

If the interpreter or captioner is not present once a class or event begins, or if you have any questions or concerns related to your interpreter or captioner, email DSCommAccess@colorado.edu.

Review and follow the Cancellation Policy provided to you by Disability Services. Failure to follow the Cancellation Policy may lead to cancellation of services until you are able to meet with your Access Coordinator.

Cancellations

If you are unable to attend class or need to cancel a scheduled event, email Disability Services at DSCommAccess@colorado.edu as soon as possible, preferably no later than 48 hours before the class time or event.

When emailing Disability Services about a cancellation, include:

  • The class or event name for which you are cancelling services
  • Date and time of the class or event
  • Special instructions, if applicable (e.g. class rescheduled for a different day)

If you need to leave class or an event early, please inform your interpreter or captioner (e.g., through email, Zoom chat, text message, etc.), so that they may also leave the class or event as well.

*Please note: If you do not attend a class or event, the interpreter or captioner will not provide any follow-up information or transcripts from the session.  

Late to class

If you will be late to class or a scheduled event, (using the template above) email DSCommAccess@colorado.edu, preferably no later than one (1) hour before the class time or event.

If you are not able to notify Disability Services in a timely manner, the sign language interpreter or captioner will wait for 15 minutes after the scheduled start time, and if you have still not arrived by then, the interpreter or captioner will leave the class or event.

Consecutive No-shows

If you have three (3) consecutive no-shows for the same class without notifying Disability Services, your ASL or captioning services may be cancelled. To re-establish services, you will need to meet with your assigned Access Coordinator.