University Disability Support Services

Student Educational Opportunity

Communication Access Services - Interpreter Services

Any individual (student, employee, or visitor) who uses American Sign Language as a primary source of communication may request interpreting services from University Disability Support Services (UDSS).  UDSS hires, supervises, and schedules qualified sign language interpreters and transcribers for a variety of events and settings such as class lectures, labs, class discussions, meetings with instructors or advisors, student affairs, commencement ceremonies, and other university functions. 

To ensure that arrangements for interpreting services can be made appropriately, requests for oral or sign language interpreting services for classes and other academic or campus-wide related settings must be arranged through the Communication Access Coordinator in a timely manner.  Requests made with less than 48 hours notice cannot be guaranteed coverage. The coordinator will consult with the consumer to discuss communication needs for the semester and/or situations that may arise.  After an interpreter has been assigned, the coordinator will contact the instructor informing them of the student enrolling in their class.  Instructors will be given information on working with students who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing as well as information regarding working with interpreters.  For other interpreting venues, the coordinator will communicate with the person responsible for the event to plan logistics.

Students are responsible for contacting the Communication Access Coordinator if they do not plan to attend class or other scheduled events for which services have been arranged.  This is for timely notification and cancellation of services.  If interpreters are not notified in advance of a cancellation, they are paid for the entire class period as well as for mileage and/or travel if not notified before travel occurs. For this reason, failure of a student to show up for three classes without notifying designated staff may result in suspension of interpreting services.  Services may be reinstated once the student has met with the Communication Access Coordinator to review UDSS policies and procedures for interpreting services.

UDSS also provides sign language interpreters upon request for visiting family and friends attending UW- sponsored events and activities and who communicate using sign language.  Students wishing to arrange for private interpreting services, for which they are responsible for payment, may utilize the UDSS office for assistance in contacting qualified interpreters.

To request an interpreter, CLICK HERE.

For Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals interested in transcribing services, please refer to Transcribing Services.

Back to Top