Can they refuse me an interpreter?

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LadySekhmet

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This is a similar situation to Jasin's situation...

I am heading out to Las Vegas to visit a college there. I am not a student, but might be. The admission's office says that they cannot provide me with an interpreter for my visit.

Can they refuse me an interpreter even though I'm not a student, just a visitor? How can ADA back me up on this? I know in some situations ADA won't save your ass, while in other situations it's necessary to bring ADA up.

I don't know WHY the refusal though, I will ask the lady in admissions.
 
I'm really surprised how far behind some colleges are. I've been interpreting at a college in the redneck South for several years, and the Deaf students here have been getting all the interpreting services that they request. (They can also get FM systems, notetakers, and extra test taking time, if requested.) They get terps for all their classes, counseling appointments, financial aid appointments, student association meetings, field trips, private meetings with instructors and advisers, computer lab, study groups, testing center, orientation, etc. As long as we have enough advance notice (and sometimes even without advance notice), we provide a terp. We also provide team terps for long class periods.

South Carolina doesn't have a good public education reputation but I guess we're doing OK with the college terp services when I read some of these threads about uncooperative colleges.

I'll have to ask around to find out what made it happen here. Maybe that will be useful to Jasin and other students.
 
Hey Reba (hee hee...I'm a HUGE fan of Reba McEntire...lol)

Well, the thing is in my situation it's a bit different because I am NOT a student. I am visiting the school to check out their Game Design program and see if I will like to go there to further my education. This is more of a Admissions issue. Strange thing is, they do have disability services, but I don't think they really know about deaf students' needs.
Currently, I have 8 different interpreters for 3 classes. I know it's an overkill, but because the interps were informed like a week before classes started, and all of them were freelancers. I informed my schedule 2 months in advance, so that's no excuse. All I care is my classes are covered, but at the same time, it can be a bit of a PIA to keep track of everyone. :)

RIT was easy to get interps because the interps are in-house, while Art Institute most likely will use free-lancers, and I know they do charge quite a lot of money (nothing wrong with that because of commute time, it's by jobs not steady hourly pay), etc.
I just don't understand why can't they call one freelance interp to cover for just 2 hours max?

If they DO provide interps for deaf students without a problem, then I would forget about this "not able to provide interp" for meeting thing, but in a way, it's already making them look bad for not being able to accommodate me.

Okay I'm rambling now...
 
LadySekhmet said:
Hey Reba (hee hee...I'm a HUGE fan of Reba McEntire...lol)
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Me, too! :P


Well, the thing is in my situation it's a bit different because I am NOT a student. I am visiting the school to check out their Game Design program and see if I will like to go there to further my education. This is more of a Admissions issue. Strange thing is, they do have disability services, but I don't think they really know about deaf students' needs.
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Our college also provides terps for potential students. I've interpreted for many people at the college who never registered for any classes.


Currently, I have 8 different interpreters for 3 classes. I know it's an overkill, but because the interps were informed like a week before classes started, and all of them were freelancers. I informed my schedule 2 months in advance, so that's no excuse. All I care is my classes are covered, but at the same time, it can be a bit of a PIA to keep track of everyone. :)
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Our private interpreting agency has an exclusive contract with the college. It's the responsibility of the disabilities office to inform the agency scheduler of students' class schedules and needs. Then, the agency assigns terps, and is also responsible for providing team terps and substitutes as needed. The student never has to worry about scheduling terps.


Okay I'm rambling now...
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No problem. :P
 
You are entitled to an interpreter for all activities offered by the college. That would include, but not be limited to, class, extracurricular activities like club meetings, plays, or other entertainment, meetings with administration, meetings with advisors, meetings with the disability office, and any orientation sessions. Don't let them dick you around.
 
Especially if the college/university is receiving any federal funding for any reason.
 
jillio said:
You are entitled to an interpreter for all activities offered by the college. That would include, but not be limited to, class, extracurricular activities like club meetings, plays, or other entertainment, meetings with administration, meetings with advisors, meetings with the disability office, and any orientation sessions. Don't let them dick you around.
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:eek3: Jillo used a bad word????? LOL!


I agree with her...I got refused an interpreter but I let them "dick" me around. Now, I wish I didnt since I am more educated about my rights. GRRR!

I agree with the other members on this issue.
 
shel90 said:
:eek3: Jillo used a bad word????? LOL!


I agree with her...I got refused an interpreter but I let them "dick" me around. Now, I wish I didnt since I am more educated about my rights. GRRR!

I agree with the other members on this issue.
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OOOPS!:giggle:
 
shel90 said:
:eek3: Jillo used a bad word????? LOL!


I agree with her...I got refused an interpreter but I let them "dick" me around. Now, I wish I didnt since I am more educated about my rights. GRRR!

I agree with the other members on this issue.
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Lol....too bad Mommy & Daddy didn't know enough to burn their hineys back then. Lol...
 
Tousi said:
Lol....too bad Mommy & Daddy didn't know enough to burn their hineys back then. Lol...
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Oh, but Tousi, I did get my hiney burnt! But I also went on to decide for myself wa wa acceptable or not. Just a good example of the fact hat even though we insist that our children dothings our way, there is a better than average chance that they will deviate from that. Hence, the orall raised deaf child gravitating toward the deaf community and sign as they move toward adulthood!:giggle:

Thanks for providing me the opportunity to teach through example! LOL!
 
LadySekhmet said:
This is a similar situation to Jasin's situation...

I am heading out to Las Vegas to visit a college there. I am not a student, but might be. The admission's office says that they cannot provide me with an interpreter for my visit.

Can they refuse me an interpreter even though I'm not a student, just a visitor? How can ADA back me up on this? I know in some situations ADA won't save your ass, while in other situations it's necessary to bring ADA up.

I don't know WHY the refusal though, I will ask the lady in admissions.
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They violated your rights to have an interpreter during your visit at collage that you might consider to attend. You have to get blunt with them and educate them that you NEED an interpreter. You have to fight for it.

I was in your shoe when I visit Central Oregon Community College for summer classes only to meet Western Oregon University's requirement. I informed the disability director that I need an interpreter for my classes and meeting the adviser. Guess what he said? He said "Sorry, We couldn't afford the interpreter" I said to them, "Yeah right! You can afford it since you guys spending million of dollars building new classes buildings and hiring dozens of new professors so no excuses for that. I demand an interpreter!" He rolled his eyes and almost ignored me but I caught him attention when I said this, "If you don't provide me an interpreter, I will file lawsuit against you and Central Oregon Community College for violated ADA and my right." I also gave him the look. He freaked out and got me an interpreter right away!

You have to fight for it. Good luck!
 
MetroGuy03 said:
... I caught him attention when I said this, "If you don't provide me an interpreter, I will file lawsuit against you and Central Oregon Community College for violated ADA and my right." I also gave him the look. He freaked out and got me an interpreter right away!

You have to fight for it. Good luck!
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Good example. Sometimes even just the threat of a lawsuit is enough to get action.
 
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