Sign Language Interpreting and CART Services

Disability Services helps to ensure equal access for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing through interpreter services. UNC Charlottes uses interpreters certified through Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and North Carolina for class lectures, labs, tutoring, university meetings, and cultural events on campus.

To provide effective, timely interpreting services and meet student needs, we need you to plan effectively with us.

  • First, you must be registered with Disability Services to request services. This process includes a documentation review, approval for services, and a Registration appointment with a DS staff member to discuss needs.
  • Once registered, contact us at disability@charlotte.edu to schedule your interpreters each semester.
  • Request interpreting and/or CART services as soon as possible after registering for classes, but no later than four (4) weeks prior to the start of the semester.
  • For other interpreting or CART needs, (tutoring, campus-sponsored meetings, campus events, etc.), request services a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the event.

Policies and Procedures

CANCELLATIONS

If you have requested interpreting services for a class or event and you will be unable to attend, you must give Disability Services at least a 24-hour advance notice so that the Interpreter can be informed. We understand there may be times in which it is not possible to provide a 24-hour advance notice. For any cancellation, notify Gena Smith, Director, at Gena.Smith@charlotte.edu, Disability Services at disability@charlotte.edu, and your Interpreter immediately.

If you do not notify Disability Services that you need to cancel your Interpreter and you do not show up in the first 30 minutes of the class or event, this is considered a “No-Show” and will result in the following actions:

  1. 1st No-Show: We will send you an email reminding you of the policy and appropriate procedures.

  2. 2nd No-Show in the same class: We will send you an email informing you that you have two No-Shows. We will also remind you of the policy and appropriate procedures.

  3. 3rd No-Show in the same class: Interpreting services will be suspended for that class until you make an appointment and meet with your assigned DS staff member to discuss reinstating services. Once services are suspended, it may take time to reinstate them.

DROPPING A COURSE

We are obligated to give the interpreters timely notice of changes to their work schedules. If you drop a course for which you have scheduled interpreter or CART services, notify both Gena Smith (Gena.Smith@charlotte.edu) *and* your assigned DS staff member immediately. While you do not need to give a reason for dropping a course, frequent or habitual dropping of courses may jeopardize our ability to provide services.

LATE COURSE REGISTRATION

Interpreting and CART services take time to arrange. Students who utilize interpreters and/or CART have priority registration so that they can notify DS in a timely manner of their schedules. To plan your schedule effectively, be sure to work with your academic advisor. We understand that even with planning, sometimes late schedule changes are unavoidable. Notify Gena Smith (Gena.Smith@charlotte.edu) of any changes to your schedule as soon as possible. Late notification of schedule changes or late registration can result in delayed provision of interpreter services. If multiple course changes occur, we will likely need to wait until you confirm that your schedule is set before we engage interpreters.