RIT Intercollegiate Athletics
Interpreting Services

Information for Student Athletes

The Department of Athletics serves 20 Division III varsity sport teams comprised of 400 men and women including 20-45 student athletes who are Deaf. Of an Institute average total of 2400 hours per week, approximately 40-100 hours of interpreting services are provided to cover games, practices, meetings and special events. Scheduling interpreters to cover all of these hours involves the consideration maximum efficiency and content expertise.

There is a better opportunity to assign an interpreter to a request when DIS is given ample time to process the information and coordinate assignments. The scheduling process for regular on-going requests is completed during the tenth week of the previous quarter. See your coach to get your team’s practice and game schedules by this time. From these schedules, it is important to note that the student athlete must submit a Support Service Request Form. This Institute policy applies to all requests for services. The search for interpreting services begins when the department receives this request. Every effort will be made to obtain and assign an interpreter. However, availability of resources is diminished when information is received after thedeadline.

Late requests, last minute changes or inaccurate information are often the reasons that an interpreter is not available. Requests with complete documentation, submitted well in advance of the event date, will be processed more quickly and have a better opportunity for coverage. If changes are requested after an interpreter has been assigned, it may not be possible to modify schedules to cover the request although every effort is made to do so.

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Special Request

In addition to the all quarter requests for interpreters there is a Special Request (SR) form which needs to be submitted for any "one time only" special event, Organizational, Eligibility, team or meeting with your coach. There is a better opportunity for coverage when information is accurate and submitted well in advance of the event date. The special Request (SR) form may be completed by contacting Meredith Ray-Coordinator, or the Department of Interpreting Services (DIS) Scheduling Office. Please include the following information when requesting services.

Who

• Your name, phone number and VAX username
• Coach/administrator name, phone number, and VAX username.
• Total number of attendees and also the names & number of Deaf people attending. (Each deaf athlete must fill out a separate form).

What

• Title of event or team name
• Brief description of event (game, practice etc.)

When

• Date and day of each game, practice or event.
• Start & end time of each game, practice or event.
• If off campus:
  • Time you will leave and return to campus.
  • Exact location where team will meet/return
  • Exact location team will get on bus/van
  • Time you will arrive and leave from your destination.

Where

• Location of event indoor/outdoor
• Location of alternate site in case of weather/changes
• If off campus - full address and phone number of location and name of contact/coach there.

The above information should be submitted to
Meredith Ray, Coordinator for CHP
Interpreting Service, x 5-6310 mardis@rit.edu
Carey Room 1595

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• Interpreter's role. The role of the interpreter is to facilitate communication. S/he will convey all auditory and signed information so that both deaf and hearing individuals may fully interact.
• Schedule changes. Please inform the coordinator of time changes, location changes, make-up games/practices or cancellations.
• Absences/Late. If the student athlete is not present when game/practice begins the interpreter will wait 10 minutes for each hour. After this time, s/he may be re-assigned. Athletes should inform the department (x5-6242) TTY, x5-6381 voice or Meredith Ray x5-6310) if they will be absent or late. Any athlete who misses practices or games without notification may lose service for that for the reminder of the quarter.

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Code of Ethics

• Interpreters/transliterations shall keep all assignment-related information strictly confidential.
• I/T shall render the message faithfully, always conveying the content and spirit of the speaker, using language most readily understood by the person(s) whom they serve.
• I/T shall accept assignments using discretion with regard to skill, setting and the consumers involved.
• I/T shall request compensation for services in a professional and judicious manner.
• I/T shall function in a manner appropriate to the situation.
• I/T shall strive to further their knowledge and skills through participation in workshops, professional meetings interaction with professional colleagues and reading of current literature in the field.
• I/T, by virtue of membership in or certification by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. shall strive to maintain high professional standards in compliances with the Code of Ethics.

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