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Communication Access Services
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The Communication Access Services Program offers the following services to eligible students:
Sign Language Interpreting
An Educational Sign Language Interpreter provides visual access to communication for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The interpreter works between American Sign Language, Contact Sign or manually Coded English and spoken English. This service may be provided during the academic day as well as for extracurricular activities. The interpreter serves as a communication facilitator and language model for the student. The interpreter consults with the Hearing Support Program teacher and mainstream teachers regarding communication and language needs of students and will work with the IEP team to ensure communication access for such students in all areas. You can request more information or services for an Interpreter by filling out this form.
Oral Transliterating
An Oral Transliterator provides access to communication for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The transliterator uses speech-readable English with natural gestures, facial expression and rephrasing of the message for clarity. The transliterator will clarify the student's speech using a "voice over" technique if his/her speech is not intelligible. Like an interpreter, the transliterator serves as a communication facilitator and language model for the student. The transliterator also consults with the Hearing Support Program teacher and mainstream teachers regarding communication and language needs of students and will work with the IEP team to ensure communication access for such students in all areas. You can request more information or services for an Oral Transliterator by filling out this form.
Communication Support Specialist
A Communication Support Specialist (CSS) uses a variety of techniques to establish communication with special needs student populations, including those who have multiple disabilities. The CSS may advise the educational team on successful communication techniques while monitoring the student for improved vocabulary and communication interactions he/she demonstrates. The CSS may use basic sign language with students who are expressively communicatively impaired such that they may develop a ready method for self-expression using speech, sign or both. The CSS may use Simultaneous Communication (speech plus sign) to encourage language comprehension. You can request more information or services by filling out the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Referral Form, check "Other" under Services Requested, and write in "Communication Support Specialist".
Captioning
A Captionist provides printed real-time access to classroom lecture and discussion for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The Captionist may provide a printed version and may include edited notes for later study. You can request more information or services for a Captioner by filling out this form.
Notetaking
A Notetaker provides a written or typed summary of classroom lecture and activity by taking notes related to the curriculum. The Notetaker does not produce a verbatim account of all communication but rather a summary of content. This allows the student who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing to attend visually to the dynamics of the classroom, verbal communication and media presentations. You can request more information or services by filling out the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Referral Form, check "Other" under Services Requested, and write in "Notetaking".