Should disability services determine that a student is eligible for interpreting services, here are some helpful tips working with an interpreter.
- The interpreter's role is to facilitate communication from English and ASL; they are not tutors or teacher aides.
- Interpreters are certified professionals hired by Salem State University.
- Interpreters may request copies of the syllabus, handouts, and access to Canvas.
- Speak naturally at a reasonable, modest pace, keeping in mind that the interpreter must listen and understand a complete thought before interpreting it into another language.
- The interpreter will wait 20 minutes for the student to arrive; if the student fails to show up, the interpreter will leave.
- If the class is over two hours, a team of interpreters will work together and alternate every 20-30 minutes.
- Please make seating arrangements at the beginning of class. The student may want to sit up front to see both the interpreter and instructor.
- Try to avoid talking while students are focused on written classwork. The student can't read and watch the interpreter at the same time.
- Captioned films and videotapes are strongly recommended to allow the student direct visual access to the information.
- Students may request a note-taker during the class.