Program for Deaf Adults (PDA) can arrange to have sign language interpreters for mainstream academic classes, mainstream continuing education classes, and other college activities or events. All requests for interpreters are placed through PDA’s Coordinator of Interpreting Services. Click on the following links for information on how to request an interpreter for your particular needs:
For further information about Interpreting Services, please contact Jane Rizzuto, Coordinator of Interpreting Services, at (718) 482-5309 or jrizzuto@lagcc.cuny.edu.
Interpreting Services for Academic Students
What does Program for Deaf Adults (PDA) provide interpreters for?
PDA provides interpreters for:
Mainstream academic classes
Meetings with professors or administrators
Field trips and other meetings or events that are course requirements
How do I request an interpreter?
All requests for interpreters should be submitted to the Coordinator of Interpreting Services in the PDA office, Room C203.
For mainstream classes, you should submit a copy of your course registration form to the Coordinator.
For situations other than regular classes, you should come to the PDA office to check for interpreter availability, and then fill out an “Interpreter Services Request Form.”
When should I request an interpreter?
All interpreter requests should be made as soon as you know the class or event date to allow enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
PDA will make every effort to provide “reasonable accommodations” as required by law, but cannot guarantee services for last-minute requests.
What if I want to participate in a campus club or activity?
You should inform the department who is sponsoring the club or activity that you would like to participate and will need interpreters (PDA can help you identify the right person to contact).
You should also submit an “Interpreting Services Request Form” so the Coordinator can make arrangements with the sponsoring department.
Do I need VESID support to receive interpreting services?
VESID support is not required to receive interpreting services, but it is strongly recommended to assist you with planning and paying for your education.
Inform PDA if you are receiving support from VESID, and tell us the name of your counselor and the office where your counselor is located.
Is there a charge for interpreting services?
Interpreting services are provided at no charge to students.
Interpreting Services for Continuing Education Students
What does Program for Deaf Adults (PDA) provide interpreters for?
PDA will make arrangements for interpreting services for mainstream continuing education classes and workshops.
How do I request an interpreter?
When you register for your class or workshop, inform the Adult and Continuing Education office (www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ace)that you will need interpreters. They will contact PDA to make arrangements for interpreters.
When should I register and request an interpreter?
Register as soon as possible and request interpreting services when you register.
PDA needs at least four weeks to ensure interpreting arrangements for classes that meet multiple times during the quarter.
PDA will make every effort to provide “reasonable accommodations” as required by law, but cannot guarantee services for last-minute requests.
Do I need VESID support to receive interpreting services?
VESID support is not required to receive interpreting services, but it is strongly recommended to assist you with your continuing education.
Inform the Adult and Continuing Education office if you are receiving support from VESID, and tell them the name of your counselor and the office where your counselor is located.
Is there a charge for interpreting services?
Interpreting services are provided at no charge to students.
Interpreting Services for Department or College Events
Why do I need to provide an interpreter?
To provide equal access for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students and staff, as required by law (Section 504 of the Federal Rehab Act, 1973; Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990).
When do I need to provide an interpreter?
For college or departmental meetings or workshops attended by Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing staff or students.
For college or departmental events attended by staff or students.
For college or departmental events open to the outside community.
For employment interviews, orientations, trainings, etc.
Who provides the interpreter?
Providing the interpreter is the responsibility of the division, department, or program sponsoring the meeting, workshop, or event. However, PDA can make the arrangements to hire and assign the interpreters.
Is there a charge for interpreting services?
There is a charge for all interpreting services.
Payment is the responsibility of the sponsoring division, department or program.
Doesn’t PDA have interpreters we can use?
PDA’s responsibility is to provide interpreters only for:
Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students in academic classes, or other academic-related activities (meetings with instructors or administrative staff, internship, etc.)
Deaf/ Hard-of-Hearing staff in performance of their responsibilities for academic students
For all other situations, interpreters are the responsibility of the sponsoring division, department or program.
Why is my department responsible for the interpreter?
LaGuardia Community College is required by law (“504” and ADA, as noted above) to provide equal access for persons with disabilities for all classes, services, events, and employment.
This requirement extends to all departments and employees of LaGuardia to make their programs or events accessible to anyone who is otherwise eligible to attend.
How do I arrange for an interpreter?
Contact the Coordinator of Interpreting Services in PDA (link to contact info) to place a request. Be prepared with the following information:
Date, time and location of event
Nature of the event (e.g., workshop, lecture, play, etc.)
Who is sponsoring the event (i.e., who is responsible for paying for the interpreting services) and their contact information.
When should I request the interpreter?
All interpreter requests should be made as far in advance as possible to ensure interpreter availability – generally, as soon as the date and time of the event is known, or a minimum of three to four weeks.
It is always easier to schedule an interpreter far in advance and later cancel the request if necessary, than to rush at the last minute to find an available interpreter.
I don’t want to pay for interpreters if they are not needed. How can I know if any Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing persons will attend?
It is strongly advised to include a deadline date for accommodations requests in all material that publicizes your event (posters, brochures, e-mail announcements, etc.).
Generally, two weeks prior to the event would be an appropriate date for persons needing accommodations to make their request, regardless of any other stated registration deadlines.
PDA can help you with the wording for the accommodations statement.
What is the cost for interpreting services?
The hourly rate for the interpreter will depend on several factors:
Is a PDA interpreter available? Every effort will be made to use PDA staff interpreters, and college departments will be charged at the staff interpreter hourly rate.
Is it necessary to hire an outside interpreter? Outside interpreters, whether hired directly as an independent contractor or through a referral agency, will charge a higher rate than the PDA staff rate.
Does the event require special skills or preparation time? Interpreters for performances or for special communication needs (e.g., interpreting for Deaf-Blind persons; tri-lingual, such as English/Spanish/ASL interpreting) may require additional compensation.
The Coordinator of Interpreting Services can advise you on the requirements and cost of interpreters for your particular need.
Contact the Coordinator of Interpreting Services Jane Rizzuto
Program for Deaf Adults, Room C-203
(718) 482-5309 jrizzuto@lagcc.cuny.edu
