Accommodations for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Spalding University is committed to ensuring equal access and reasonable accommodation in its classes, services, programs, and activities, for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Center for Accessibility and Learning Equity (CALE) staff members and the Director of Accessibility and Learning Equity are excited to work with you.
After you have gone through the initial meeting with CALE, you will receive an Accommodation Letter that states your approved accommodations.
Spalding University contracts with certified interpreters. Sign language interpreters serve as communication facilitators between the student and professors or teaching assistants and other participants in classes and meetings.
Spalding University is responsible for providing interpreters for:
The University does NOT provide interpreters for a student’s personal activities that are not sponsored by the University. These activities might include:
Service providers are scheduled for the length of your program’s session. Please submit a separate request for any additional services needed, such as during finals week.
To request an interpreter provider for classes:
Complete the Interpreter Request Form on our website, or
Contact CALE.
2. Interpreter for University-sponsored activities outside of class
Students requesting interpreter services for University-sponsored activities outside of the classroom (such as meetings with professors, meetings with the Financial Aid Office, or academic advising appointments), should complete the Custom Requests at least 7 school days in advance.
To request interpreter for University-sponsored activities outside of class:
The Coordinator for Accessibility Services is responsible for scheduling the interpreter after receiving the interpreter requests. Interpreter will not be able to make changes to their work assignment(s) directly from a student’s request. CALE will not pay for interpreting services that have not been authorized or assigned by the Coordinator for Accessibility Services prior to the service provision. Students must speak with the Coordinator for Accessibility Services for further work assignments.
Factors the Coordinator for Accessibility Services will be attentive to when scheduling interpreter are:
While student preferences for interpreting services will be given every consideration, we cannot guarantee that a student’s preference will be granted.
D. Faculty Notification
Upon registering for a course, students should reach out to introduce themselves to their faculty members and discuss any logistics for the course (i.e. field trips, meetings other than class time, exams with auditory components, captioned videos, etc.).
E. Establishing a Working Relationship with Interpreter
On the first day of class, introduce yourself to the service provider and discuss service delivery options and your communication preferences. For a successful working relationship, give the service provider constructive instructions and feedback, when needed. Examples might include providing input to interpreters if their finger spelling is unclear, suggesting signs that would be clearer, or asking the interpreter to sit or stand in your preferred placement within the room.
F. How to Resolve Problems with Interpreter
Have problems or concerns about the interpreter? Here are some steps that should be taken to resolve the problem: First, communicate directly with the interpreter to try to resolve any problems. Often, communication with the interpreter will result in a satisfactory resolution. If the problem is not resolved following recent step, contact the Coordinator for Accessibility Services to discuss and work out problems with your interpreter.
Type of Service |
Time Required |
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Sign Language Interpreter |
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Clinicals, Clerkships, |
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Field Trips/Study Abroad |
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Untimely requests may result in delay, substitutions, or the inability to fulfill the request(s).
When missing class, modifying or cancelling a request, please provide notification more than 72 hours in advance whenever possible.
If you are going to be absent or arriving more than 15 minutes late to class, please notify the CALE as soon as possible. In the event of frequent absences, the Director of the Center for Accessibility and Learning Equity will request a meeting to discuss effective use of accommodations.
Also contact the CALE if your interpreter is late, or does not show up. If a substitute provider cannot be found, CALE will arrange for audio recording the class and provide a transcript in a timely manner.
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