Requesting Student Volunteer Communication Services

GUIDELINES, TERMS, AND CONDITIONS FOR REQUESTING STUDENT VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATION SERVICES

The students in the Deaf Studies Interpreter Education Program (IEP) are being trained to be successful in entry-level interpreting positions upon graduation.  Part of their education/training requires practicum experience in safe, supportive environments.  It is important for all parties to understand when it is appropriate to utilize services provided by a professional/certified interpreter and those of a student volunteer-in-training.  Service limitations for utilizing a student volunteer are detailed below.

Student volunteers CANNOT be used:

• When interpreting services are required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).***  Student volunteers are pre-professionals and typically do not possess the needed vocabulary and skills to manage many of these situations on their own without the guidance of a skilled and qualified professional interpreter.  For more information and details about ADA regulations: www.ada.gov/effective-comm.htm.
  ***The requestor is responsible for researching the ADA requirements to ensure if you and/or your business/organization falls under this category.  California State University, Northridge, the Deaf Studies Department, and any students/individuals affiliated with these entities shall not be held responsible should the ADA be violated.  

• To provide services in any medical, legal, or other type of situation where misinterpretation of information could have serious negative ramifications on one’s life and/or employment.

Terms and Conditions

Payment

There is no cost to the requestor for Student Volunteer Communication Services.  Also, the student volunteers do not receive compensation as they earn course credit for their services.  However, if the student volunteers incur any out-of-pocket expenses for incidental costs such as gas, parking, meals, etc., it is appreciated if the requestor covers these costs as a courtesy.

Confidentiality

Student volunteers are obligated to adhere to the standards of confidential communication as outlined in the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct.  However, since their services are part of an educational experience, the students may enter into case consultation and share aspects of the assignment with the instructor and/or classmates in the classroom setting only.  Individual names and identities will not be revealed, and any information discussed/shared in the classroom will be kept confidential by all parties.

Steps to Procuring Student (Uncertified) Volunteer Communication Services:  

• Step 1:  Complete and submit the online Student Volunteer Service Request.  To ensure quality of services, please provide as much detailed information as possible (the more information we have, the better we are able to appropriately fulfill the request).
• Step 2:  Once the Student Volunteer Service Request is received, it will be reviewed/evaluated by the Coordinator of the Deaf Studies IEP and the IEP Support Team.  A member of the IEP Support Team will contact the requestor within 48 business hours [2 days] to acknowledge receipt of the request and convey if the request is in violation of specified service limitations (preventing us from being able to fulfill the request).
• Step 3:  For requests that are not in violation of specified service limitations, the IEP Support Team will work to recruit appropriately skilled students to support the communication needs of the Deaf participant(s).  This process may take up to 3-5 days.
• Step 4:  When service requests are fulfilled and confirmed between the student volunteers and the IEP Support Team, the student volunteers will contact the requestor directly to confirm arrangements and obtain any additional information that may be needed.  Conversely, when we are unable to fulfill a service request, a member of the IEP Support Team will contact the requestor to inform them accordingly.  The entire recruiting process (from beginning to end) can take up to 5-7 days to complete. 

NOTE:  We do our very best to accommodate all requests for student volunteer communication services.  However, due to a limited number of eligible practicum students, varying skill levels, and availability, it is not possible to fulfill all requests.