Interpreting services are provided to students at all Madison College campuses. Our office is located at the Truax campus in the Student Development Center, Room D1618.

  • Overview

    To receive sign language interpreter services, you must complete the following steps each semester:

    1. Meet with your Disability Resource Services specialist. Prior to your first semester, you must meet in person. For future semesters, the meeting may be in person, via phone or email.
    2. Notify the interpreter coordinator when you have registered for classes. Then we can start scheduling interpreters. Staff interpreters will be used first to cover classes. Freelance interpreters will be used to cover additional hours, if necessary.

    It is recommended that you request services at least four weeks before the start of a semester. Due to the shortage of available interpreters, requests submitted later than that may not be filled. Services are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Request Interpreting Services

  • Communication with the Interpreter Coordinator

    You must inform the interpreter coordinator (not your assigned interpreter) as early as possible when any of the following happens:

    • Class is canceled by instructor.
    • Room number or class start/end time changes.
    • Field trips are scheduled.
    • You will miss the first day of the class. 
    • You drop the class. 
    • You have a planned absence. If you miss 25% of class hours during a semester, including planned absences and no-shows, interpreting services may be suspended.

    Communicating with the interpreter coordinator will ensure continued services and the ability to provide accurate information to substitute interpreters, when necessary.

  • Interpreter Wait Time/No-Shows

    The interpreter will wait 15 minutes by your classroom. After that, you will be considered an unreported no-show and the interpreter will leave. If you show up late, you can still choose to stay for class without an interpreter. Your instructor has his/her own attendance policy that you must follow as well.

    After two unreported no-shows for the same class, interpreting services will be suspended for that class.

    If interpreting services are suspended because of no-shows, you must arrange a meeting with your DRS specialist to discuss the issue and determine whether interpreting services will be reinstated.

  • Exams

    Deaf or hard-of-hearing students typically remain in the classroom for their exams. 

    The DRS specialist must approve any accommodations, dependent on the individual’s disability. The standard policy for Madison College (in the classroom or Testing Center) is as follows:

    Directions for the exam and communication between the student and instructor or test proctor. For example: asking the instructor or proctor for clarification of a question may be interpreted. Any interpretation of an exam beyond that must be discussed and agreed to by the instructor and DRS Specialist prior to the exam.

     Instructors and interpreters are aware of this policy.

  • Code of Conduct

    Any interpreter working for Madison College, staff or freelance, is expected to follow the Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) established by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the National Association of the Deaf. However, this does not prevent interpreters from informing the interpreter coordinator of classroom accommodation issues, such as. 

    • Student no-shows
    • Communication problems
    • Difficulty meeting student needs
    • Any issue the interpreter is unable to resolve with the student
  • Grievances

    If you have concerns about interpreters, policies, procedures, or Disability Resource Services staff members, you will first need to discuss your concern directly with the person involved.

    If you feel the issue is still not resolved to your satisfaction, please contact Disability Resource Services Director Scott Ritter at sritter@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6791.

    If you continue to feel your issue has not been resolved after talking to the DRS manager, you may follow the procedures for conflict management set forth by Madison College.

Interpreter Requests for Meetings, Extracurricular Activities, and Other Functions

We are able to provide interpreters for functions or meetings outside of class time. You must request an interpreter through the interpreter coordinator at least two days ahead of time.

We will try to honor requests with less notice but may not be able to find an interpreter.