Office of Accessibility : Faculty and Staff Information

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Faculty Information Sheet

The following information is designed for the instructor who has a deaf or hard of hearing student enrolled in class. Deaf and hard of hearing students should be accepted on the same basis as other students and treated the same as other students in the classroom as far as standards, behavior, tardiness, absences, etc. are concerned.

The Office of Accessibility is always available to assist you with issues related to the needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Please contact us on Bancroft campus at 419.530.4981 if you have any questions or concerns.

Interpreting Services

Students with hearing impairment may need to utilize interpreting services as a means of exchanging verbal communication. Interpreters assigned to the student with a hearing impairment will only act as a means of communication delivery; any questions or concerns about the student’s should be directed toward the student via use of an interpreter.

The Role Of The Interpreter

The sign language interpreter, a paid professional, provides and facilitates communication assistance according to the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf under its Code of Ethics. The role of the interpreter within the classroom is as follows:

1. The interpreter is to view all information from an interpreting situation as CONFIDENTIAL.

2. The interpreter will position herself in an area of the classroom that will best meet the needs of the deaf or hard of hearing student and the instructor. Feel free to discuss any concerns on location with the interpreter.

3. The interpreter will neither add to nor delete from any interaction which takes place in the classroom. It is generally permissible for the student and/or interpreter to briefly clarify a remark, either signed or spoken, during class. However, if you notice lengthy interaction between student and interpreter, you may wish to inquire as to the nature and/or appropriateness of the dialogue.

4. All questions asked by the deaf or hard of hearing students will be voiced directly to the instructor.

5. The instructor should speak directly to the student. The interpreter will convey all meaning of the conversation. Also, as a rule, always maintain eye contact with the student. When the instructor does not understand a student's voice or signs, the interpreter can repeat what the student said.

6. If you would like to speak to the student after class and will need the assistance of the interpreter, ask if the interpreter can stay for a few minutes. The interpreter may not be free due to another assignment immediately following your class.

7. If you intend on using videos for the class instruction, please see that a closed caption video is used, which will enable the student with a hearing impairment the ability to have equal access to the information. The Office of Accessibility now has the technology to close videos. The office needs approximately two weeks to caption a video. If you have video that you would like to captioned, please send or drop off the video to Lisa Yost, Vision - Hearing Specialist, SM 1400, mail stop 110. 

8. The interpreter will wait outside until the student arrives. If the student fails to show after fifteen minutes, the interpreter will leave.

9. Frequently, the deaf or hard of hearing student will require more time for examinations because of reading and language levels. It is also due to these levels that the interpreter may need to reword sections of the test, with the approval of the instructor.

10. Since the deaf or hard of hearing student must maintain eye contact on the interpreter and instructor, notes cannot be taken. A note taker may be provided or the student may request a volunteer from the class to take notes. Carbonless paper can be provided for note taking purposes.

Assistive Listening Devices

Some students with hearing impairment use assistive listening devices to amplify audio information. If an assistive listening device is needed, you will be requested to wear a small wireless amplification device that will enhance your tone and voice, so that the student with hearing impairment may receive audio information more clearly. The assistive listening devices are obtained via student through the Office of Accessibility.

All questions and concerns regarding students with hearing impairments should be forwarded to the Office of Accessibility, SM 1400, c/o Lisa Yost, Vision - Hearing Specialist or by calling 419-530-4981.