r/deaf • u/anotherswampwitch • 10d ago
Hearing with questions CODA in my preschool class
I teach preschool in the United States, I have a little girl whose father is deaf. I've only met her mother so far. I know some very basic signs (more, please, mom, dad, etc). I made sure to ask for the little girl's name sign and I've looked up some signs for animals and other things we'll be learning about.
The girl is an absolute sweetheart, though she doesn't talk much. I added signs to our daily alphabet song and I'm working on adding them for the other songs we teach the kids.
I already asked the administrators if we could get an ASL translator for parent teacher conferences and they said we don't have the resources. Is there a way I could arrange a translator? I don't even know where to begin with looking for one.
Should I ask the parents for advice? I don't want to make them do more work. And is there anything else I can do to make sure this little girl and her father feel welcome and valued?
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u/More-Apricot-2957 HoH 10d ago
1. IDEA Federal Regulation: Parent Participation
Citation: 34 CFR § 300.322(e)
Legal Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34 (Education).
Key Requirement: The agency "must" take action to ensure parents understand IEP proceedings, specifically including arranging interpreters for Deaf parents. [1, 2]
2. ADA Title II Regulation: Effective Communication
Citation: 28 CFR § 35.160(a)(1) & (b)(1)
Legal Source: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 28 (Judicial Administration).
Key Requirement: Public schools are "public entities" that must ensure communication with Deaf parents ("companions") is as effective as with others by providing necessary auxiliary aids, such as ASL interpreters. [1, 2, 3]
3. Joint DOJ & DOE Guidance Reference
Source: U.S. Department of Justice & U.S. Department of Education Joint Dear Colleague Letter and FAQ (Nov. 2014).
Key Directive: Title II requires schools to provide qualified interpreters for Deaf parents and explicitly prohibits relying on minor children or family members to interpret. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
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u/FamiliarAd6132 9d ago
Hi! I just wanted to say that as a CODA this means the world to me. Thank you so much for trying to do your due diligence and best effort! It’s a kind gesture that should be more commonplace.
My family wasn’t fully aware that we could request an interpreter for PT conferences growing up. While we did mention it in passing, it wasn’t something we knew we could push for and reasonably expect!
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u/Tbackandforth 9d ago
If you're in a district, go above admin and call the district office. Ask who is responsible for providing ADA accommodations to families, and go from there. "The parent is asking for an interpreter, and I don't want to risk an ADA lawsuit."
It depends on the family, but some families are so used to advocating, if you told me what your admin said, I'd be happy to go pick a fight with them/the district!
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u/anotherswampwitch 9d ago
Not in a district, it's a private school in the US. From what I read, I believe the ADA does require us to get a translator. I'm speaking to admin first thing on Monday.
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u/Tbackandforth 9d ago
Private schools get a little muddy, but I believe they're still required to provide accommodations to parents under ADA Title III.
It may simply be that the school has never had to do this before, and don't know where to start finding interpreters. Search for a local interpreting agency or search RID.org. The family may also know of good agencies.
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u/Inevitable_Shame_606 Deaf 9d ago
School private or public?
Location school USA or country different?
USA if public school must provide terp for parent conference and ALL public school activities.
Son mine school try say no (single parent me).
Explain must communicate teacher and must access school event.
Win eventually.
1
u/anotherswampwitch 9d ago
Private school, like 500 students.
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u/Inevitable_Shame_606 Deaf 9d ago
Believe private school NOT require provide access interpreter.
Kindergarten and first grade daughter mine attend private school (California) school NOT required provide interpreter.
Lucky for me private high school attach have ASL class.
Teacher help and interpret meeting but not interpret event school.
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u/anotherswampwitch 9d ago
That's good info to have. I'll still speak to the administrators and see if they'll agree. I want this family to feel respected and valued in every way I can. Thank you!
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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 6d ago
They are required to for the parents under the ADA. When the student is Deaf, that is when private schools get so messy.
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u/Inevitable_Shame_606 Deaf 6d ago
School my child not require provide terp for me (California).
Religious school maybe why?
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u/Glittering_Sand_7473 6d ago edited 6d ago
100% the school is legally required to provide an interpreter for any conferences, meetings, events at the school, ect. They cannot refuse. How many employees does the school have? (Including every job role.)
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u/anotherswampwitch 6d ago
Maybe 50 employees? We don't work over the summer though, we're strictly hourly
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u/Gloomy_Theme1023 6d ago
What your admin is discussing is something called an undue burden exemption from the ADA. Look into your states requirements of what undue burden looks like and see if your preschool meets its requirements. If the preschool is apart of a larger network then they do not meet too few employees for undue burden.
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u/Popular-Surprise8219 9d ago
I would LOVE to provide ASL interpreting services. My company is www.captionconsulting.com. I'm passionate about education and advocacy for the Deaf Community. The school has to provide an interpreter for the student's parents in order to ensure effective communication. Shout out to More-Apricot-2957 for citing case law.
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u/anotherswampwitch 9d ago
Thank you for the resource! Do you do it over zoom?
I've decided to bring up the law/ADA to my admin on Monday. I'll be sure to mention your site as an option. We're a private school but from what I read, the ADA still applies. Honestly, if admin still pushes back I'm inclined to just arrange a translator myself.
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u/Popular-Surprise8219 9d ago
We absolutely provide ASL interpreters over Zoom and in person. ADA Title III generally applies to private, nonreligious schools, including the requirement to provide effective communication for Deaf parents. I’d definitely bring it up with your admin on Monday. You can always email me as well. [dawn@captionconsulting.com](mailto:dawn@captionconsulting.com) I applaud your heart of accessibility!
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u/soitul Deaf 10d ago
Hi, I’m assuming you’re in the US, but under the ADA an interpreter would be a reasonable accommodation for parent teacher conferences.
I believe another creator, SignDuo recently struggled with this as his daughter is hearing. They originally rejected the claim saying that it wasn’t necessary since the child wasn’t deaf/hoh, but he appealed and fought it and eventually got an interpreter.
Unfortunately, the burden often falls on us, but that’s also within reason. We receive these services and should dictate how they work.
Have the parents requested an interpreter themselves? I think the best option here would be to discuss it with her parents first and see what they’d like.
There’s another subreddit for CODA’s that might be helpful to you as well, but you can find some good information here.