In the Spring of 2001, the leadership of the Departments of American Sign Language and Interpreter Training and disAbility Services met to discuss a possible shift in service delivery to deaf and hard of hearing students attending San Antonio College. The Mission statement of The Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Training espouses that Deaf people are not disabled, but a cultural and linguistic minority. Yet, when deaf students at San Antonio College needed to arrange interpreting services for their courses they were referred to disability services for assistance.

This dissonance needed addressing, and as a result of creative thinking, a restructuring took place. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services was established under the Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Training for the purpose of providing accessibility for San Antonio College students who were deaf. disAbility Support Services was in favor of this arrangement and continues to collaborate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. An Interpreter Services Manager with a background and licensure in social work and certification in Interpreting was hired to provide academic counseling to deaf students, recruit and hire interpreters and schedule and coordinate interpreting services.

Prospective and current San Antonio College students who are deaf are able to meet one on one with someone who is able to provide information in ASL. They are able to ask questions, discuss career options and majors, and inquire about classes and instructors. They have access to other Deaf professionals (faculty and staff) who are familiar with the SAC campus and activities and on-going events.

The Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Training has approximately 550 students taking ASL and Interpreting courses in an average semester. There is an ASL lab and resource center that provides a learning / study / social environment for not only the hearing students learning ASL, but also deaf students attending SAC. This reciprocal learning environment is a unique and positive experience that benefits both deaf and hearing students.

An added bonus of the restructuring of interpreting services delivery was to be able to capitalize on the “school to work” mission that San Antonio College had embraced. As students in the interpreting program near the end of the curriculum they may choose to take advantage of ‘on campus’ assignments as part of their 240 hour internship. Students in the internship are teamed with working interpreters in the classroom or other campus events and given feedback, mentoring, and support with a focus on refining their interpreting skills.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services currently has a staff of 2 full-time, lead interpreters with a pool of approximately 30 part time interpreters. Interpreters’ skill and experience range from recent graduates, newly certified to interpreters with state and national certification and many years experience.

In Fall of 2007, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services implemented a program designed to assist recent program completers who had not yet passed the state interpreter certification performance test. The Advanced Interpreting Mentorship, (AIM) program was created to develop and refine linguistic and cultural competence in uncertified interpreters; to provide uncertified interpreters an avenue for continued professional growth; to increase the pool of competent, qualified, certified sign language interpreters; and to support uncertified interpreters’ transition to certified interpreter while diminishing frustration, burn out and stress. Efforts are made to foster mentoring relationships, continuing education opportunities, and a friendly, fun, supportive work place. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services provides a unique and supportive environment to students as well as working interpreters.