* To provide equal access for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students
       and staff, as required by law (Section 504 of the Federal
       Rehab Act, 1973;Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990).

    * For college or departmental meetings or workshops
       attended by Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing staff or students.
    * For college or departmental events attended by staff or
       students.
    * For college or departmental events open to the outside
       community.
    * For employment interviews, orientations, trainings, etc.

    * Providing the interpreter is the responsibility of the division,
       department,or program sponsoring the meeting, workshop,
       or event. However, PDA can make the arrangements to
       hire and assign the interpreters.

    * There is a charge for all interpreting services.
    * Payment is the responsibility of the sponsoring division,
       department or program.

    * PDA’s responsibility is to provide interpreters only for:
         - Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing students in academic classes, or
           other academic-related activities (meetings with
           instructors or administrative staff, internship, etc.)
         - Deaf/ Hard-of-Hearing staff in performance of their
           responsibilities for academic students
    * For all other situations, interpreters are the responsibility of
       the sponsoring division, department or program.

    * LaGuardia Community College is required by law (“504” and
       ADA, as noted above) to provide equal access for persons
       with disabilities for all classes, services, events, and
       employment.
    * This requirement extends to all departments and employees
       of LaGuardia to make their programs or events accessible
       to anyone who is otherwise eligible to attend.

    * Contact the Coordinator of Interpreting Services in PDA to
       place a request. Be prepared with the following information:
       
         - Date, time and location of event
         - Nature of the event (e.g., workshop, lecture, play, etc.)
         - Anticipated attendees (e.g., staff, students, outside
           community)
         - Who is sponsoring the event (i.e., who is responsible for
           paying for the interpreting services) and their contact
           information.

    * All interpreter requests should be made as far
       in advance as possible to ensure interpreter availability
       generally, as soon as the date and time of the event is
       known, or a minimun of three to four weeks.
    * It is always easier to schedule an interpreter far in advance
       and later cancel the request if necessary, than to rush at
       the last minute to find an available interpreter.
    * PDA can help you with the wording for the accommodations
       statement.

    * It is strongly advised to include a deadline date for
       accommodations requests in all material that publicizes
       your event (posters,brochures, e-mail announcements,
       etc.).
    * Generally, two weeks prior to the event would be an
       appropriate date for persons needing accommodations to
       make their request, regardless of any other stated
       registration deadlines.
    * PDA can help you with the wording for the accommodations
       statement.

    * The hourly rate for the interpreter will depend on several
         factors:
         - Is a PDA interpreter available? Every effort will be made
           to use PDA staff interpreters, and college departments
           will be charged at the staff interpreter hourly rate.
         - Is it necessary to hire an outside interpreter? Outside
           interpreters, whether hired directly as an independent
           contractor or through a referral agency, will charge a
           higher rate than the PDA staff rate.
         - Does the event require special skills or preparation time?
           Interpreters for performances or for special communi-
           cation needs(e.g., interpreting for Deaf-Blind persons;
           tri-lingual, such as English/Spanish/ASL
            interpreting) may require additional compensation.
    * The Coordinator of Interpreting Services can advise you on
       the requirements and cost of interpreters for your
       particular need.