Accommodations The Office of Disability Services at USC is equipped to provide appropriate services for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. Before students can receive services, they must provide the ODS staff with documentation describing the nature of their conditions. Once the condition is documented, the ODS staff works with each student individually to assess which accommodations will meet their educational needs. Students may also require extended time on tests, alternate test formats, or course waivers or substitutions. When providing academic accommodations, it is important to remember that American Sign Language is considered an actual language separate from English with a distinct syntax, grammar-, and vocabulary.
Communicating Ask the student the best way to communicate.
Using pen and paper is acceptable, as is asking for repetition or clarification. Always face the student when speaking to facilitate lip-reading. If a student is using an interpreter, direct all comments and questions directly to the student, not the interpreter. Maintain eye contact with the student at all times. Never obstruct the student's view of the interpreter.