Services for Students with Disabilities

Coordinator, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services

The Coordinator of Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services is the primary point of contact for the provision of and payment for interpreting services for scheduled classes, labs, tutorial sessions and College events or academic activities. The Coordinator works cooperatively with the faculty, staff and disability services counselors at each campus to maintain effective communication regarding student needs and the implementation of services.

Coordinator, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services:
Crystal Kenney, CT
Office A-105G
Phone: 301-846-2476
VP: 240-575-2366 or 866-616-7243
Fax: 301.624.2778

REQUESTING AN INTERPRETER OR NOTETAKING SERVICES

The student must identify themselves to the Coordinator, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services and provide him/her with a recent copy of your audiogram for proper documentation. The Coordinator will then provide you with an Intake Packet, which includes an Interpreter Request Form. All forms should be completed and sent to the Coordinator via mailbox #60 or through personal delivery in order to process the request. The Coordinator will then review your materials and generate an Accommodations Form that must be given to each of your faculty members during the first week of class. The Accommodations Form lets your faculty members know that you will be receiving services and to expect an interpreter or note-taker in their classroom. You must submit your written request form to the Coordinator within two (2) weeks of the first day of your class or activity. Once classes have been paid for, the Coordinator will begin to fill the request. We try to accommodate all requests, however, those received in less than two (2) weeks in advance cannot be guaranteed.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
When students are using an interpreter or Note-taker, students are asked to keep in mind the following items that will help you, your interpreter and faculty member maintain a more effective relationship:

• Discuss with the Coordinator to determine the most appropriate accommodations for your classes. If at any time you feel that the accommodations you are receiving are not allowing equal access, meet with the Coordinator to resolve any concerns.
• Plan to arrive a few minutes early to meet your interpreter on the first day of class. Visit with the interpreter before the first session (or class) to discuss which communication method you prefer: American Sign Language (ASL), Signed English, Oral, etc., and any other communication needs you may have.
• Introduce yourself to the faculty member and explain that you are deaf or hard of hearing and also introduce yourself to the interpreter. You should give the faculty member the folder for note-taking services if needed.
• Provide the faculty member or group facilitator with a copy of the "Faculty Tips Sheet" which is provided in your Intake Packet and accommodation memorandum. Be available to discuss the different points with them if necessary. The Coordinator can be available to discuss questions or concerns with the faculty member should they arise.
• Inform the Coordinator of adds, drops, room changes and course changes. Failure to do so may result in a suspension of interpreter services.
• Report ALL unexpected absences and no-shows to the Coordinator. Students who accumulate three (3) or more non-emergency no-shows during a given semester will have services suspended for all classes pending a meeting with the Coordinator to discuss circumstances surrounding the absences. Extenuating circumstances and individual issues will be discussed and final determination for suspension of services and/or reinstatement to be made solely by the Coordinator. Failure to meet and discuss the absences with the Coordinator will result in an immediate suspension of services.
  
  Note: MISSING CLASSES WITHOUT INTERPRETER NOTIFICATION CONSTITUTES A FINANCIAL BURDEN TO THE COLLEGE AND WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF YOUR INTERPRETER SERVICES.
  
  
• Direct questions concerning exams, quizzes or assignments should be directed to the faculty member only. The interpreter is only allowed to interpret your questions concerning exams, quizzes or assignments to the faculty member.

Note-Taking Services

Each student who receives interpreter services is given an Accommodation Form that outlines his/her need for interpreters and/or note-taking services. Students should give a copy of this form to each of their faculty members during the first week of class. At that time, the faculty members can help to arrange for another student in your class to share copies of his/her notes. Typically another student in your class is asked to serve as a volunteer note-taker. The student obtains the necessary carbon note-taking paper from campus counseling offices or the Coordinator to facilitate sharing of copies. Other methods or means may be pursued if a volunteer is not found within the first week of class and, in which case, the alternate method will be to offer compensation of their services.

Assistive Listening Devices

Frequency Modulation (FM) systems are available for you to check out from the Coordinator at FCC, If you have never tried an FM system before and are not sure if you could benefit from its use, please make arrangements to try it out with the Coordinator. Many are very effective and helpful for use in a formal lecture setting with one speaker.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Certainly, as with any FCC student/professional situation, open and direct communication between the parties is highly encouraged and often helps to resolve most conflicts or problems. In the event that the situation cannot be resolved please contact the Coordinator, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services