When to Request an Interpreter:

• When a participant in a meeting, discussion, training, or event requests a sign language interpreter; or

• When you know that deaf individuals will be attending a meeting, discussion, training, or event (e.g., a graduation ceremony where some of the students have deaf parents); and

• When a sign language interpreter is necessary to effectively communicate the information in the meeting, discussion, training, or event.

Informing the Public:

It is important to provide a mechanism for deaf individuals to request interpreters from agencies and to advise deaf individuals that they need to provide no less than 5 business days’ notice.

Fliers and web postings for events, meetings, and outreach programs must provide a statement that informs residents and consumers that if they are in need of a reasonable accommodation (such as sign language) they must notify "_______________ [contact person and contact information] to make the request no less than 5 business days prior to the event.”

The Request Process:

1. Sign language interpreters must be requested by the agency involved.
   • Requests directly from participants will be referred to the agency.

2. Sign language services are handled by the Mayor's Office of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing: Mayor's Office of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing | Mayor's Office of Community Affairs (dc.gov)

3. To request sign language services, please use this form: Effective Communication Program Accessibility Request Form

   For further information and questions, please contact MODDHH at (202) 727-9493 or [email protected]