Deaf and hard of hearing services

This guide will cover how Deaf or hard of hearing students request accommodations for ASL Interpreters, CART (real-time captioning), Assistive Listening Devices, and Closed Captioning services. It will also cover request timelines and other useful information.

How to request ASL Interpreters for classes

Step 1: Apply for accommodations

First time users only.

Step 2: Log into MyAccess and sign E-Forms

Review forms carefully as policies or procedures may have changed.

Step 3: Request accommodations

Under each course for which you are requesting accommodations, select the checkbox for “Interpreting” along with any other approved accommodations you will require for each class. This action of selecting and submitting your interpreting accommodations will notify our Interpreter Coordinator who will arrange for interpreters as needed.

Request timeline

Students approved for Interpreting should use Priority Registration and follow the steps to request/select or renew their accommodations at least six weeks before the semester starts to ensure enough time to schedule and assign Interpreters. Students who do not do this may experience delays in the provision of this accommodation. This accommodation takes more time to coordinate, therefore we do ask for advanced notice when you are planning on utilizing ASL Interpreters.

For the best outcomes, please:

  • Contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu and provide us with days, times and locations of your classes where Interpreting services will be needed.
  • Notify the Interpreter Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance when you must miss class or as soon as realistically feasible.
  • Interpreters are not required to wait for more than 15 minutes at classes or activities. Arrivals to classes or activities after 15 minutes will be considered no-shows.
  • Three no-shows without prior notification will result in the need for the student to meet with the Access Center Coordinator to review this accommodation before services can continue.
  • Inform the Interpreter Coordinator of any problems with Interpreters as soon as possible.
  • Inform your Access Center Coordinator and the Interpreter Coordinator immediately of changes any in your scheduled meeting of classes. Please include the days, times, and places that will change.

For questions or assistance with ASL Interpreting services, contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu.

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How to request ASL Interpreters for non-class related events

Students who use ASL Interpreters may independently request an interpreter for WSU-sponsored events, meetings, webinars, study groups, or extracurricular activities held outside of classes. Before making a custom request for ASL Interpreters, we ask that students meet at least once with the Access Center Coordinator to review policies, procedures and responsibilities before using this feature.

Request timeline

Please make custom requests for ASL Interpreters at least two weeks in advance when possible. If you request an interpreter with less than two weeks’ notice, the request may not be filled. However, we will try our best to provide communication access if possible.

Step 1: Make a Custom Request

Use the Request an ASL interpreter link located on the Access Center website to request interpreting for meetings and events outside of class.

Step 2: Fill out the Event Information

  • Under “Event Information” fill in the information for:
    • Event Name
    • Speakers (if known)
    • Event Date
    • Time Start
    • Time End
    • Location (list “virtual” if not in person)
  • Under the box that says Request Type(s), select “Interpreting.”
  • Under the box that says Media Used, select any that apply. If no media is used, leave the boxes unchecked.
  • Under the box that says “Note,” you may leave any information you want the interpreter coordinator to know or you may leave this blank.

Step 3: Submit request

Select the “Submit Custom Request” button. Your request will notify our Interpreter Coordinator who will arrange for interpreters as needed.

For the best outcomes, please:

  • Contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu and provide the Access Center Coordinator with days, times and locations where Interpreting services will be needed.
  • Notify the Interpreter Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance if you must cancel your Custom Request.
  • Interpreters are not required to wait for more than 15 minutes at meetings or activities. Late arrivals after 15 minutes will be considered a no-show and cancellation.
  • Cancellations without advance notification will result in the need for the student to meet with the Access Center Coordinator to review this accommodation before further Custom Requests for interpreters will be accepted.
  • Inform the Interpreter Coordinator of problems with any Interpreters as soon as possible.

For questions or assistance with Custom Requests, contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu.

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How to request CART (real-time captioning) for classes

Step 1: Apply for accommodations

First time users only.

Step 2: Log into MyAccess and sign E-Forms

Review forms carefully as policies or procedures may have changed.

Step 3: Request accommodations

Under each course for which you are requesting accommodations, select the checkbox for “Real time captioning/CART” along with any other approved accommodations, you will require for each class. This action of selecting and submitting your CART accommodations will notify our Access Center Coordinator who will arrange for CART providers as needed.

Request timeline

Students approved for Real time captioning/CART should use Priority Registration and follow the steps to request/select or renew their accommodations at least six weeks before the semester starts to ensure enough time to schedule and assign CART providers for their classes. Students who do not follow these timelines may experience delays in the provision of this accommodation. This accommodation takes more time to coordinate, therefore we do ask for advanced notice when you are planning on utilizing CART services.

For the best outcomes, please:

  • Contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu to provide the Access Center Coordinator with days, times and locations where CART services will be needed.
  • Notify the Access Center Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance if you must cancel your Custom Request.
  • CART providers are not required to wait for more than 15 minutes at meetings or activities. Late arrivals after 15 minutes will be considered a no-show and cancellation.
  • Three no-shows without prior notification will result in the need for the student to meet with the Access Center Coordinator to review this accommodation before services can continue.
  • Inform the Access Center Coordinator of problems with any CART providers as soon as possible.
  • Inform your Access Center Coordinator immediately of changes any in your scheduled meeting of classes. Please include the days, times, and places that will change.

For questions or assistance with ASL Interpreting services, contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu.

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How to request CART (real-time captioning) for non-class related events

CART requests for one-time meetings or events should be made at least two weeks in advance. If you request CART services with less than two weeks’ notice, the request may not be filled. However, we will try our best to provide communication access if possible.

For the best outcomes, please:

  • Contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu to provide the Access Center Coordinator with days, times and locations where CART services will be needed.
  • Notify the Access Center Coordinator at least 24 hours in advance if you must cancel your Custom Request.
  • CART providers are not required to wait for more than 15 minutes at meetings or activities. Late arrivals after 15 minutes will be considered a no-show and cancellation.
  • Cancellations without advance notification will result in the need for the student to meet with the Access Center Coordinator to review this accommodation before further requests for CART services will be accepted.
  • Inform the Access Center Coordinator of problems with any CART providers as soon as possible.

For questions or assistance with CART services, contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu.

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How to request an Assistive Listening Device

Step 1: Apply for accommodations

First time users only.

Step 2: Log into MyAccess and sign E-Forms

Review forms carefully as policies or procedures may have changed.

Step 3: Request accommodations

Under each course for which you are requesting accommodations, select the checkbox for Amplification device/FM System.

Step 4: Pick up equipment

After you select the equipment accommodations you are approved for, you will receive an email with instructions on how to make special arrangements for in-person pick up. If you have questions about your equipment, please contact the Access Center.

Request timeline

Students approved for Assistive Listening Devices should use Priority Registration and follow the steps to request/select or renew their accommodations at least six weeks before the semester starts. This is to ensure that we have time to work with our Registrar to arrange your courses in rooms that have FM or Infrared Systems already in place. If this is not possible, the Access Center needs to have enough advance notice to make sure we have the portable FM Systems in our inventory and ready for you to use on the first day of class. Students who do not do this may experience delays in the provision of this accommodation. If an Assistive Listening Device is not in the Access Center inventory, it may take six weeks or longer from the approval of services until the equipment is available.

For questions or assistance with Assistive Listening Devices, contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu.

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How to request Closed Captioning accommodations

Step 1: Apply for accommodations

First time users only.

Step 2: Log into MyAccess and sign E-Forms

Review forms carefully as policies or procedures may have changed.

Step 3: Request accommodations

Under each course for which you are requesting accommodations, select the checkbox for “Closed Captioning.”

Request timeline

Students approved for Closed Captioning should use Priority Registration and follow the steps to request/select or renew their accommodations at least six weeks before the semester starts to ensure enough time for your faculty to review their videos or online materials and make sure they are accurately captioned. If they are not captioned, faculty need to submit captioning requests to our IT department. Ample time is needed to caption the material. Typically, IT requires receiving the captioning request two weeks before the video is posted/made available to the class. For especially long videos, more time may be required

Students who do not follow this timeline may experience delays in the provision of this accommodation. Therefore, we do ask students to request/select or renew their accommodations well in advance when you are planning on utilizing Closed Captioning services.

For questions or assistance with Closed Captioning requests, contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu.

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Frequently asked questions

I am a student with a State Waver. I can't register until the first day of class. How can I request accommodations in advance?

If you are a student with a State Waver and you cannot register until the first day of class, please email van.access.center@wsu.edu in advance to let us know which classes you anticipate taking. This will allow the Access Center time to schedule interpreters and/or arrange CART providers and any other accommodations you may require for your first day.

Can my instructors or staff request Interpreters or CART for me?

Yes. Any faculty or staff member can request ASL Intepreters or CART services for WSU-sponsored events, virtual or in-person meetings, webinars, study groups, or extracurricular activities held outside of classes

To request interpreters, faculty or staff may use the Request an ASL interpreter link located on the Access Center website.

To request CART services, faculty or staff may contact the Access Center Coordinator directly or us van.communication.access@wsu.edu and make the request. For the best outcomes, please provide the name of the event or speaker and include the days, times and locations where CART services will be needed.

My Assistive Listening Device isn’t working. What should I do?

Academic Services is the front-line contact for students, faculty and staff to help resolve technology problems and help with any technical issues they experience. This team works closely with Information Technology (IT) to provide the best possible support for all technology related issues on campus. If your Assistive Listening Device is not working, first, please contact: van.evita@wsu.edu to create a help ticket or call 360-546-9440 for immediate assistance. Tech Support may direct you to contact the Access Center to return your equipment or check out a new device. Please keep the Access Center informed of problems with your Assistive Listening Device as soon as possible at van.access.center@wsu.edu.

My teacher shows videos that are not captioned or the captions are not accurate. What should I do?

While it is the responsibility of the faculty to find out if assigned videos and online materials are closed captioned, please inform the Access Center Coordinator of any videos or online materials that are not captioned, or not accurately captioned. Your faculty will be notified to review their video and online content, submit a closed captioning request and/or to consider alternate course materials that meets their learning objectives and is accessible to all students.

Contact van.communication.access@wsu.edu to share information or for assistance.

My Interpreter or CART provider did not show up. What should I do?

If your Interpreter is not there for your class or meeting, please inform the Interpreter Coordinator right away.

If your CART provider is not there for your class or meeting, contact the Access Center Coordinator right away.

You may be instructed to stay until a substitute interpreter or CART provider may be found. If one cannot be found, please communicate with your instructor or presenter about receiving access to a class outline, lecture notes or slides for that class or meeting if possible. You may also reschedule any meeting if possible.

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