Educational Interpreting Services

Invested in the successful futures of your students, our educational interpreting services provide equal-access to all levels of education and vocational training.

Educational Interpreting & Captioning Services

Educational Interpreting

In or out of the classroom, our interpreters are ready to provide equal access for all levels of education and vocational training. From high school lectures to college ceremonies, elementary fieldtrips, and testing center exam translation, ICS interpreters are prepared to connect you with your students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Never worked with an interpreter before? Don’t sweat it!

We’ve included some helpful tips to ensure your inclusive experience goes smoothly.

Interpreters use their knowledge of both ASL and English to translate what is being said in English into ASL for the Deaf students in their classroom. They also translate what the Deaf students are saying from ASL into English for other hearing students and teachers. This allows all students to participate in the classroom discussions and activities, regardless of their preferred language or cultural background.

Interpreters play an important role in helping Deaf students succeed in school. By providing them with access to communication, they are an essential accommodation for helping Deaf students learn and grow.

Here are some specific ways that interpreting services are used in a classroom for Deaf students coming from different cultures:

  • Interpreters provide access to subject lectures and discussions.
  • Interpreters facilitate communication between Deaf students and their teachers and classmates.
  • Interpreters provide insights into cultural references and nuances for both hearing and Deaf cultures.
  • Interpreters empower Deaf students to develop pride of their own culture, learn to respect the cultures of others, and develop competency and fluency in their sign language.

 

Overall, interpreting services are an essential part of any Individual Education Plan (IEP), providing a quality education for Deaf students. This critical accommodation allows Deaf students to participate fully in the classroom and to learn and grow alongside their hearing peers.

It is possible for one sign language interpreter to cater to the needs of two Deaf students in the same classroom if the students share the same class schedule. However, this interpreter arrangement requires the interpreter to be very skilled and experienced in the educational setting. The interpreter will need to be prepared to move where needed in order to seamlessly interpret for the two students.

If the two deaf students are in different classrooms for any part of their school schedule, then it will be necessary to have two interpreters. This arrangement will allow each interpreter to focus on one student at a time, providing a higher quality and more individualized interpreting experience. It will also allow the interpreters to take breaks when needed, which in turn should facilitate improved accuracy and clarity in the interpreting services.

It is important to note that the needs of each Deaf student will vary. Some Deaf students may require an interpreter in all settings while other Deaf students only require an interpreter in loud or crowded settings. It is important to work with the interpreters and their Deaf students to determine what their specific needs are and the best accommodation arrangement.

Yes, the sign language interpreters will spend the entire school day with the student if the student has the need for an interpreter during the entire day. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that schools provide students with disabilities with the accommodations they need for an effective education. This includes providing qualified interpreters for students who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

The IDEA also requires that schools consult with parents and students to determine the needs of Deaf students. If a student’s IEP states that they need an interpreter all day to support their communication and understanding, then the school is legally required to provide interpreters for the full duration of the school day.

It is important to note that the needs of each Deaf student will vary. Some Deaf students may only need an interpreter for certain classes or activities, while others may need an interpreter for the entire day. It is important to work with the sign language interpreter, educational staff, and the student to determine specific needs and appropriate accessibility accommodations.

It is best to inform the sign language interpreter about their student’s IEP and study materials as soon as possible, but no less than two weeks before the start of classes. The interpreter should understand the primary challenges identified in the Deaf student’s IEP in order to adjust their services to appropriately accommodate the student’s learning and communication style. The school, teaching staff, and the student are responsible for the student’s IEP; however, providing the interpreter with access to the student’s IEP allows the interpreter to be more effective in their interpreting. This results in a better learning experience and outcome for the Deaf student.

The more time the interpreter has to prepare for a student prior to the start of classes, the better they will be able to understand the student’s needs and provide them with the best possible interpreting services. If the interpreter does not have enough time to prepare, they may not be able to provide the student with the level of interpreting services they need to effectively support their education.

If possible, it is best to provide the interpreter with the student’s IEP and study materials at least two weeks before the class begins. This will give the interpreter sufficient time to review the materials and develop a plan for how they will approach interpreting for the student. If needed, sign language interpreters will reach out to their colleagues, mentors, and Deaf professionals for additional support and advice.

If you are unable to provide the interpreter with the student’s IEP and study materials two weeks before the class begins, you should still provide them with the information as soon as possible. The sooner the interpreter has the information, the better they will be able to prepare and provide the student with the best possible interpreting services.

Tips for Working with Educational Interpreters

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