Disability and Access coordinates sign language interpreters for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing (D/HH) students, staff, faculty, and campus visitors. The University of Texas at Austin will cover the cost of the interpreter services for students, faculty, and staff for all classes, meetings, and University-sponsored events.
Students
Students requesting interpreter services will meet with a D&A Coordinator to discuss their needs and to sign an agreement acknowledging familiarity with related policies. Students are urged to finalize their course schedules far in advance of the first class day so interpreters can be scheduled according to student preference and interpreter availability.
All non-classroom requests (including meetings with professors or group meetings with other students for projects or assignments) should be made as far in advance as possible, but at least three business days in advance. Last-minute requests cannot be guaranteed, though attempts will always be made to secure interpreter services. Tests taken outside of regular class time will be treated as a special request, and students should submit requests for review sessions and final exams as far in advance as possible. All interpreting done out of class must be requested through the Scheduling Coordinator.
Student Responsibilities
- Students are encouraged to meet with their professors before classes to discuss the use of the interpreter(s) and the individual student’s learning needs.
- Students are responsible for introducing the interpreter(s) to the professor on the first day of class, and for introducing the interpreter to any appropriate persons during specially requested assignments.
- Students are responsible for all information presented in class. The interpreter is not responsible for retaining or repeating information the student missed.
- Students are encouraged to utilize approved note taking accommodations and to obtain volunteer notetakers in class, if applicable. The interpreter cannot take notes, even if paired with another interpreter for the class.
- The student is responsible for informing D&A of any changes in a regularly scheduled assignment.
Faculty/Staff
Faculty/staff requesting interpreter services will meet with a D&A staff member to discuss their needs. All requests should be made as far in advance as possible, but at least three business days in advance. Last-minute requests cannot be guaranteed, though attempts will always be made to secure interpreter services.
If faculty/staff have specific questions related to non-D/HH accommodations and services, they can contact the Institutional Accessibility and Accommodation (IAA) office.
Responsibilities of D/HH Services Requestors
Individuals using interpreter services should notify D&A at least 24 hours in advance if a cancellation needs to be made. If a student misses class three times without 24-hour advance notification, the student must meet with their Coordinator to continue to receive services. Interpreters will wait five minutes for each half-hour of their scheduled time. If the D/HH individual has not shown up after the waiting-time has elapsed, the interpreter will leave. If the interpreter does not show up, contact the D&A office immediately and a replacement will be sent if one is available.
I need a sign language interpreter. Where do I request interpreting services?
A Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing student, faculty, or staff member may submit a request for services online using one of the following links:
Students that are not registered with D&A will need to register to receive services for classes or events. If you are not registered with D&A, contact the office at (512) 471-6259 (voice), (512) 410-6644 (videophone), or access@austin.utexas.edu to discuss how to register.
Departments should submit a request form for events or on behalf of a campus visitor using the following link: Departmental/Campus Event Requests.
Members of the general public who would like to request ASL interpreters for a university-sponsored event should contact the department sponsoring the event to request the interpreter. Departments must provide an account number for the charges to be billed through an Interdepartmental Transfer (IDT). This will take place approximately 4-6 weeks after the event.
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