Supporting Students Who Receive Accommodations
Sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired and note takers are assigned to provide support
services for students in the classroom. At times, devices or materials, such as the assistive listening
device (ALD) and tape recorders, are used in lieu of a service provider.
Sign Language Interpreting
Interpreters are required to:
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Sign exactly what the instructor says in class lectures and general discussions.
Sign exactly what other students say in class discussions.
Voice exactly what the hearing impaired student says.
Sign test directions and voice any student’s questions for the instructor to answer regarding
the test.
Stay in class the full time unless both the instructor and the student agree that the
interpreter is no longer needed. In that case, the interpreter will return to the CSD office.
Wait fifteen minutes for the student. If the student does not come within this time, the
interpreter will return to the CSD office
The interpreter may not:
Answer questions that should be directed to the instructor.
Discuss student(s) with others.
Discipline the student if he or she is inattentive in the class.
Edit the student's work.
Participate in class activities.
The code of ethics requires interpreters to "render the message faithfully, and always conveying the
content and spirit of the speaker, using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom
they serve." (Code of Ethics) Many hearing impaired students use ASL (American Sign Language).
Instructors may specify when they want signed English to be used. The interpreter will gladly answer
any questions regarding interpreting. The instructor may wish to discuss the difference between ASL
and signing exact English with the interpreter.
If instructors would like to show videos that are captioned for the hearing impaired, captioning
machines are available in the Media Centers at all EPCC campuses.
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Note-taker/Scribe
Students receive note-taking/in-class scribe services if they are physically unable to write or they
have another disability which impedes their writing for themselves during class time.
Note-takers/Scribes are required to:
Take notes from lectures and the board.
Document the instructor's contact information for CSD office records.
Provide the instructor with one set of complimentary notes. Instructors are welcome to
check the notes at any time to verify that class information is correctly recorded. Our note
takers welcome the instructor's suggestions and comments.
The note-taker provides the scribe services for students during class activities involving
writing when this service is also needed.
CSD hires Part-Time Note-takers and Work studies to take notes. CSD also buys copies of notes from
students enrolled in a class where a note-taker is needed and who enters into an agreement to sell their
notes to the Center. Students who want to be Agreement Note takers must submit a sample of their
notes to the Campus Representative. If the notes are acceptable, the student will sign an agreement
form and will receive a stipend of $100 for the semester. In cases where the student might drop or for
any other reason be unable to complete the agreement, the stipend will be pro-rated. CSD asks
instructors to facilitate this process by allowing representatives from the Center for Students with
Disabilities to make brief announcements in their classes when Agreement Note takers are needed for
those classes and by encouraging their students to apply.
Note-takers/Scribes are not permitted to:
Carry on conversations with students once the class begins.
Discuss the student(s) with others. To protect student confidentiality, note takers will not
have information regarding student's disability, reason for absenteeism, or homework.
Accept student's returned assignments or tests.
The note takers may not participate in class activities (unless they are also enrolled as a
student in that class); however, they may ask questions to clarify notes.
Instructors can be partners with CSD by:
1. Accepting complimentary notes and giving the note-taker feedback through
suggestions and comments. An instructor's confirmation that the notes are good provides
assurance and positive incentives for the note-takers and the students they serve.
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2. Reporting any problems with classroom service providers immediately to the Director for the
Center for Students with Disabilities and Support Services Coordinator. CSD needs to know
about any problem the instructor perceives as serious and that would impact on the quality of
services for the student, such as, a high rate of absenteeism or lateness on the part of the
service provider or serious deficiencies in notes.
3. Not asking service providers to participate in class (unless the service provider is also enrolled
as a student in that class). This takes their focus away from the student(s) they are assigned to
help.
4. Completing and returning the "Instructor Report on Classroom Support Service
Provider." This is an important component of staff evaluations. Instructor feedback is
invaluable.
Tutoring
Many students registered with the Center for Students with Disabilities receive assistance in learning
study approaches and mastering the skills and concepts presented in class. For some students,
guided study is recommended. In guided study, the emphasis is on learning strategies and coping
skills. Other students require basic tutoring, in which the emphasis is on clarification and review of
concepts. Most students receive one-on-one scheduled tutoring where they consistently meet with
the same tutor throughout the semester. Some students benefit from small group tutoring where
two or three students meet with the tutor. When appropriate, students and tutors use adaptive
technology within the context of tutoring. For a student to receive this assistance, he or she must
request it. One-on-one tutoring is scheduled in the fall and spring semesters. Open tutoring is
available in the summer.
We ask instructors to encourage students who could benefit from this help to request this service.
Instructors are welcome to visit our office and Assistive Technology Lab at Valle Verde and our
offices at the different campus locations. Instructors can call the CSD office to arrange a visit. For
more information or assistance, please contact the Director, Jan Lockhart, the Assistant Director,
Maria Lopez, any of our CSD counselors, our campus representatives, or the CSD Instructor.
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