Typically, Deaf/Hard of hearing students will be tested in a separate room (to reduce stress), will be allowed special extra time (this is an accepted accommodation for all disabled students), and will be allowed a sign language interpreter—for directions only—to be arranged for by the student.

When a test is announced, the Deaf/Hard of hearing student makes an appointment with the testing center. You, will then send a copy of the test to room 3219 with your name, office number, course number, date of the test, and the student’s name on it. One of the center’s proctors, will administer the test. The proctor will collect the completed test and return it to you. Please be aware that it is not always possible for the student to have an appointment at the exact date and time of your class. The center does make every effort to make the appointment as close to that time as possible.

Questions and concerns can be addressed to the Disabled Student Services Office. If you have any questions specifically about the testing center—feel free to call Mary Martin at extension 7-2341.SIGN LANGUAGE

The interpreter will be translating the spoken English from the class into American Sign Language (a visual-gestural language with a grammar, syntax, and lexicon that is different from English).

The interpreter is a professional and you can expect him/her to: interpret accurately; remain impartial ( ie. Will avoid expressing personal opinions); interpret ALL communication that occurs in the presence of the Deaf student (including: jokes, relevant and irrelevant comments, asides that are loud enough to be heard, etc.); maintain confidentiality (you can be assured that everything that goes on in your class will be kept strictly confidential by the interpreter. Likewise, the interpreter must keep confidential any personal information s/he may happen to know about the student).

Issues such as the Deaf student’s attendance, grades, other coursework, sign language, or the student’s Deafness should be addressed directly to the student and not the interpreter.

Certain conventions have been established to make communicating through an interpreter standardized. There are also some tips that you might want to keep in mind to make the yours and your student’s use of an interpreter the most effective:

NOTE TO PROFESSORS:
Click here for guidelines on how to work with students who are hard of hearing

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