Eligibility for Services
Confidentiality and Release of Information
Campus Accessibility
Academic Accommodations
Interpreter Services
Captioning Services
Other Services
Technological Resources
Attendance and Disability
Service Animals
Grievance Procedure

Interpreter Services

Disability Services (DS) will provide interpreter services for classes, related academic requirements, and non-academic out-of-class activities sponsored by the University. Interpreter services are in high demand and the availability of qualified interpreters is limited. Providing interpreter services requires advance planning and cooperation from the student to ensure that effective services are provided in a timely and cost effective manner.

Interpreters for Classes

New students must schedule an appointment with the DS director and interpreter coordinator to discuss needs, register for services, and provide documentation of disability and resultant need for interpreter services. New students are urged to register at least three weeks before the beginning of a new semester to better ensure that an interpreter is available.

Ongoing students are strongly encouraged to use priority registration and finalize their schedules far in advance of the first class day to better ensure availability of qualified interpreters. Switching sections or making schedule changes may result in delay of services because of scheduling problems. The interpreter coordinator will assist students in scheduling classes to ensure maximum benefit from minimum interpreter time.

Interpreters for Meetings and Special Events

You may request interpreters for various meetings and events including:

• Meeting with instructor
• Review session offered by instructor or Supplemental Instruction (SI)
• Academic advising
• Financial aid
• Tutoring
• Meetings of Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
• Special event or program sponsored by the University*

*UTSA does not provide interpreters for parties and other social events.

To request an interpreter for a meeting or special event, you must fill out the "Special Request for Interpreter" form and submit it to the interpreter coordinator. The form is available below or in the DS Interpreter office.

The request should be submitted at least 3 business days prior to the meeting or special event. Any request received with less than 3 business days notice will be considered a "last minute request". We will make every effort to fill that request, but cannot guarantee interpreter availability.

Requests may be submitted by the following means:

• In Person-Completed forms may be submitted in person at the UTSA 1604 Campus in room MS 2.03.18.
• Fax-Completed forms can be faxed to Beatrice at (210) 458-4980.
• Email-Only the Microsoft Word format form can be submitted by email. Submit completed request forms to beatrice.chavez@utsa.edu.

Special Request for Interpreter form-PDF
(The free Acrobat Reader is required to view/print this form)

Special Request for Interpreter form-Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Word is required to view/complete/print this form.)

Please provide detailed information about the appointment, including date, starting time, ending time, location, person you are meeting, and type of appointment.

All interpreting done outside of class time must be requested through the interpreter coordinator.

Cancellations
Students are responsible for notifying DS 24 hours in advance if they will not be in class. If a class is missed three times without 24 hours notice, interpreter services will be suspended until the student has met with the Interpreter Coordinator of DS. An exception will be made in cases where failure to provide timely notice was beyond the student's control.

No Show Policy
The No-Show policy provides for three absences per class, per semester. This gives you a chance to miss class due to emergency or illness. A No-show is any cancellation given with less than 24-hours notice. If a student does not show up at the beginning of class, the interpreter will wait for 15 minutes before leaving. This will be counted as a No-show even if the student shows up for the class after the interpreter leaves.

1st No-Show: FREE. We understand that conflicts can arise at the last minute.

2nd No-Show: REMINDER.

3rd No-Show: HOLD. Interpreter services for that specific class will be suspended until you meet with the DS director and interpreter coordinator to reinstate services.

You will be notified in writing when you have a HOLD for interpreter services. Contact the DS office immediately to schedule a meeting. At that meeting we will discus the policy and allow you the opportunity to explain your situation. Special circumstances, such as serious illness or family emergency, will be taken into consideration. After the meeting services may be reinstated for that class. If you have questions about the No-show policy, please feel free to meet with the interpreter coordinator.

Roles and Responsibilities of Interpreter

Role of the Interpreter
The interpreter's role is to facilitate communication between the hearing impaired student and the hearing persons in his/her educational environment. Interpreter services are provided to give you the same opportunity to realize your academic potential, based on your own abilities and efforts, as is provided to your hearing classmates. Please remember that the interpreter is not to serve as an instructor, note-taker, tutor, counselor, or advisor. In class, if you do not understand something that was said or feel that you have missed something, ask the instructor to repeat it or explain it. The interpreter is not responsible for retaining or repeating information you miss.

Interpreter's Ethics
UTSA interpreters follow a strict code of ethics, which ensures that all information is confidential. Interpreters may not participate in class, socialize with you or other students while on the hob, or discuss your grades or progress with anyone.

Interpreters are expected to be on time for class. If an interpreter does not show up for class, please wait ten minutes before contacting DS Interpreter office. A replacement will be sent if one is available.

Monitoring of Services
The interpreter coordinator is responsible for assigning interpreters based on professional knowledge of your communication needs and the skills of the interpreter. The coordinator may monitor the classroom situation occasionally throughout the semester to ensure that the assignment continues to be appropriate for you and the interpreter.

Feel free to communicate directly with your interpreters if you are having difficulty understanding their communication style. If you are not satisfied with the interpreter service or if the interpreter wishes to be replaced, the interpreter coordinator should be contacted so that appropriate action can be taken.

At the end of each semester, students will be asked to evaluate interpreter services. This information assists DS in its efforts to provide quality services. Your feedback is important to us, so please let the interpreter coordinator know if you have questions or concerns about interpreter services.