The DOT Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides sign language interpreting as a reasonable accommodation to DOT employees and job applicants with disabilities. There is no additional charge to Operating Administrations for this service.

The DRC will provide interpreters for one on one or small group meetings in which a Deaf employee or applicant participates. It will also provide interpreters for internal ceremonies and events (such as all hands meetings and award ceremonies) that will be attended by Deaf employees. Additionally, the Center will provide interpreters for training courses attended by a Deaf employee if the training vendor does not provide the needed accommodation.

Interpreting services for events offered by DOT to the public, such as conferences hearings, are the responsibility of the sponsoring Operating Administration. However, the DRC will assist event planners in identifying interpreting service resources.

DOT Requests for Individual Employees - Washington Headquarters

All requests for sign language interpreters will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Five days notice is requested whenever possible. This notice enables the DRC to seek and pay for the services of another vendor if the current DRC provider is unable to meet the need. However, if multiple requests for the same time slot cannot be accommodated, the first-come first-served rule will apply.

To request a sign language interpreter, contact the DOT Disability Resource Center (DRC):

• Telephone: 202-366-9433
• TTY: 202-366-6242
• Fax: 202-366-3571
• Email: drc.interpreters@dot.gov

Please see the Interpreting Request Procedures document for information on how to request an interpreter from the DRC Interpreting Services office. (Note: This document is in Microsoft Word format. If you do not have Microsft Word on your computer, please download the Microsoft Word Viewer.)

The DRC Interpreting Office is located at W56-425 in the DOT Headquarters building. Interpreting services may be scheduled daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Interpreters may be reserved in advance for times other than those listed above on an as-needed basis. Every effort will be made to accommodate each request, subject to the constraints noted above.

When requesting interpreting services, please describe the nature of the discussion, the duration, and the type of sign language used by the Deaf individual. This will allow the DRC to provide the most appropriate interpreter.

In order to assure maximum availability of service, the requesting office is responsible for providing notification of a cancellation as soon as it is known that the service will not be required.

Interpreting Services for Events, Training Courses, or Large Meetings for DOT Employees - Washington Headquarters

Depending on the number of participants and break-out sessions, events, conferences, trainings, and Departmental programs may require a number of interpreters. Therefore, requests for interpreters should be made as soon as the date and time of the event have been determined, with a minimum of five working days' notice in advance of the event or meeting.

If DRC interpreters are not available, the DRC staff will attempt to procure services through a commercial vendor if the request is made in a timely manner. Untimely requests are considered to be those made less than five working days prior to the date services are needed. There is no guarantee that services requested on short notice can be filled. In the event that the DRC interpreters are unavailable, the DRC will provide the requesting office with a list of interpreting companies from which they can attempt to locate and pay for the service.

The requesting office is responsible for notifying the DRC of cancellations at least 72 hours or three working days prior to the interpreting event or meeting. This will help the DRC reassign interpreting services to other individuals or events.

Please inform the DRC if the interpreted event or program is being videotaped. We must secure the interpreters' permission prior to the videotaped assignments. Videotaping an interpreter and transmitting his/her on-screen image in a "bubble" or "picture in picture" formats is not an effective accommodation and is not supported by the DRC.

Interpreting Services Outside the Washington, DC Area

The DRC funds interpreting services for DOT employees throughout the country for on either a one-time basis or to fill a continuing need. Organizations with a recurring need for services may request the DRC's support in establishing on call agreements with local interpreting services. The interpreting service guidelines outlined in this document also apply to DOT locations throughout the United States. Because interpreting services may be difficult to obtain in some areas, we would appreciate as much additional notice as possible.

Last Modified: January 4, 2008