Student Guidelines for Communication Access

Registering for Accommodations

Complete an Accommodation Request Form

  • Schedule and an Intake Interview with the ARC to discuss individual needs and preferred mode of communication access.
  • The ARC will review documentation and assign appropriate accommodations.

Requesting Communication Access for Traditional Courses

Register for classes during priority registration or as soon as possible then complete and submit a Course Request Form. 

Requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the semester start day in order to guarantee an interpreter/CART writer is available by the first class day.

Every effort will be made to fill all requests, but course requests submitted less than 2 weeks before the semester start date are subject to interpreter/CART writer availability and may not be filled by the first class day. Contact the ARC Communication Access Coordinator to discuss other modes of communication access in the event an interpreter/CART writer will not be available by the first class day.

Requesting Communication Access for Online Courses

Register for online classes during priority registration or as soon as possible then contact the course instructor to discuss communication access needs. Often times an online course will have live webinars and/or video conferences requiring CART or Interpreters for communication access. If this is the case, discuss the day and times for the webinars and/or video conferences and request the URL from the instructor then complete and submit an Online Course Request Form. 

If you are unable to reach the online course instructor, submit the Online Course Request Form and omit the day/time/URL section. The ARC Communication Access Coordinator will then assist with contacting the instructor and obtaining the communication access information.

Online Course Request Forms must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the semester start day in order to guarantee an interpreter/CART writer is available by the first date needed.

Every effort will be made to fill all requests, but online course requests submitted less than 2 weeks before the semester start date are subject to interpreter/CART writer availability and may not be filled by the date needed. Contact the ARC Communication Access Coordinator to discuss other modes of communication access in the event an interpreter/CART writer will not be available by date needed.

Requesting Communication Access for Final Exams

Submit a Final Exam Request Form 2 weeks prior to the scheduled final date.

Every effort will be made to fill all requests, but requests submitted with less than 2 weeks notices will be filled as soon as an available interpreter/CART writer can be secured. Students should contact ARC Communication Access Coordinator to discuss alternative modes of communication access in the event an interpreter/CART writer is not available by the final exam day.

Requesting Communication Access for Meetings/Events

Complete an Event Request Form for all meetings/events (tutoring, advising, student organizations etc…). Requests should be submitted 3 business days prior to the event. Requests submitted with less than 3 business days will be accepted; however, the ARC may not be able to provide services.

Requests submitted with less than the above mentioned advanced notice will be filled as soon as an available interpreter/CART can be secured. Students should contact ARC Communication Access Coordinator to discuss alternative modes of access in the event an interpreter/CART writer is not available by the date needed.

Reporting Changes/Cancellations

Report schedule changes (add/drop) immediately after making changes. Changes are filled as soon as an available interpreter/CART writer can be scheduled. Contact the ARC Communication Access Coordinator to discuss other modes of communication access in the event an interpreter/CART writer cannot be scheduled by the date needed.

Report all other changes (location changes; adjustments to meeting times; cancellations, not attending, etc...) to the ARC as soon as possible at arc.cadh@lamar.edu. If the change or cancellation is less than 24 hours’ notice please contact the ARC via text message at 409-656-3678.

If the ARC is not notified of cancellations a “no show” will be recorded. Multiple “no shows” could result in possible suspension of services.

  • The first recorded “no show”:  Reminder Letter sent
  • The second recorded “no show”:  Warning Letter sent
  • The third recorded “no show”:  Suspension of Services

Student must meet with the Communication Access Coordinator and the Accessibility Resource Center Director to request reinstatement of services in the event of a suspension.

Reinstated services will be suspended for any subsequent “no show”. No reminder or warning letter will be sent and student must meet with the Communication Access Coordinator, Accessibility Resource Center Director, and student’s advisor to develop an action plan before services can be reinstated.

Note:  The ARC understands that it is the right of any student to not attend a class or event; however, the ARC must be informed so communication access resources can be re-allocated.

Reporting Late Arrivals

  • Notify the Communication Access Coordinator in the event of a late arrival to a class or event.
  • Interpreters/CART writers are instructed to wait 15 minutes after the reserved start time for the Deaf/hard of hearing student to arrive.
  • If the Communication Access Coordinator is notified of a possible late arrival, every effort will be made to contact the interpreter/CART writer and direct him/her to remain on the assignment.

Contact the ARC/Communication Access 

Email: arc.cadh@lamar.edu

Phone: 409-880-8059

For issues/concerns or changes that require immediate attention (less than 24 hour notice) and for after hour emergencies call or send a text message to 409-656-3678.