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Oklahoma State University

Deaf & Hard of Hearing

The following information is provided to assist you in making the educational experience a positive one for deaf or hard of hearing students. 

  • Provide opportunities for student to participate in discussions or ask questions.
  • Pause the video/film when talking as the student can attend visually to only one source at a time.
  • Avoid speaking with your back to the class.
  • Do not speak louder than you normally would or exaggerate your words when speaking.
  • Student may use an assistive listening device, i.e. FM system (professor’s microphone and student’s receiver), hearing aid, cochlear implant.

CART

You may infrequently encounter students using CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation), a live translation service used for deaf and/or hard of hearing students who do not know sign language. Faculty are only required to wear a microphone.

Closed Caption

In-Person classes:

  1. Video captioning services are provided by ITLE. To request captioning services, fill out the Request for Closed Captioning Services form on the ITLE website. Please plan in advance for Captioning Services as there is a 7-10 business day turn around for the completion of requests.

Synchronous, virtual classes:

  1. Microsoft Teams, available free to faculty and students. Captions are a built-in option that can be turned on by the presenter.
  2. Zoom or equivalent virtual meeting software with simultaneous use of Microsoft Translator, a free download from the Microsoft website that will enable all speech to be transcribed into text for the student needing the accommodation. All participants must use Translator in order for all questions/comments to be accessible.

Asynchronous, virtual classes:

  1. Record with Canvas or other system, upload, and caption using Studio. ITLE provides a tutorial video here.
  2. Record with Microsoft Teams. Meetings can be recorded, saved, edited for caption review, and posted to Canvas. Information can be found on the Microsoft Support website.

Contact SAS with specific questions or for further assistance. 

Interpreters

An interpreter is a tool for the student much like a pencil or a computer and will remain impartial.  The interpreter is NOT responsible for the student’s class attendance, behavior, assignment, or test.  The following information is provided to assist you in making the educational experience a positive one. 

  • If you are speaking with the Deaf student, speak directly to them, ignoring the interpreter.
  • If the student does not understand a question or statement, rephrase it.
  • Provide opportunities for student to participate in discussions or ask questions.
  • Pause the video/file when talking as the student can attend visually to only one source at a time.
  • Avoid speaking with your back to the class.
  • Do not speak louder than you normally would or exaggerate your words when speaking.
  • If class discussion, motion to speaker then repeat questions/comments.
  • If you have a lab, items displayed, or handouts please allow extra time for the Deaf student to locate what you are referring to before continuing on. They will need to identify the item you are speaking of and then the interpreter and will need just a few more seconds to make the transition.
  • Student No Shows. The interpreter is required to wait 15 minutes outside of the classroom before returning to our office. If the student is late, the interpreter will enter after the student arrives.
  • The interpreter will hold all information regarding the student and the class in confidence.
  • The interpreter will transmit all remarks to the Deaf student and vice versa.
  • The interpreter may request copies of course material in advance to be prepare for interpreting. This can be emailed to the interpreter.

If you have any question or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Student Accessibility Services at 405-744-7116.