Deaf and Hard of Hearing

An individual with hearing loss frequently communicates using a combination of strategies that rely on residual auditory ability that may be enhanced by a hearing aid, cochlear implant and/or an assistive-listening device.

Persons who are deaf may have different communication preferences and rely on residual hearing, lip reading, captioning, or American Sign Language.

Available services are designed to provide communication access for deaf and hard of hearing students attending LDCC.

1. Qualified Professional

• Professionals conducting assessments, rendering diagnoses, offering clinical judgments, and making recommendations for accommodations must be qualified to do so.

2. Currency of Documentation

• Should reflect current functional limitations.

3. Documentation Criteria

• Includes an audiogram or audiometric report
• Describes the history of hearing loss, including the initial diagnosis of hearing loss.
• Notes any relevant medication information.

4. Assistive Technology

• Students are permitted to wear hearing aids or cochlear implants without approval from the Office of Disability Services.
• For students wishing to use Assistive Listening Devices (FM System, infrared, loop, etc.), they will need to apply for Disability Services through the Office of SC-DS.

5. Communication facilitator (CF) or Interpreting services involve significant financial expenditures for the College. Students receiving this service must adhere to the following procedures:

• Students with hearing impairments must submit a written request for a CF on the Semester Accommodation Request Form prior to the beginning of the semester.
• If a student is unable to attend class, 24-hour notice to SC-DS is required unless the absence is due to illness or an emergency.
• Students should immediately notify the Office of SC-DS in writing if a Communication Facilitator or Interpreter is unsatisfactory (i.e., unsatisfactory ability to sign, tardiness, absenteeism, unprofessional behavior, etc.).
• If a student needs to request an interpreter for additional College functions (other than normal class times), A CF Request Form must be filled out and returned to SC-DS at least 24 hours in advance.

NO SHOW POLICY -If CF services have been requested and the student knows that he/she will be unable to attend class, the student should provide SC-DS with at least 24 hours advance notice so that the CF can be informed. In some situations, students may not be able to provide 24 hour notice, however, any advance notice is appropriate.

Failure to provide any advance notice is considered a “No Show.” To give advance notice, please contact the Director of Student Counseling & Disability Services at (318) 345-9152 or by email at traciclark@ladelta.edu. 

The following actions will result from a “No Show”

1. First “No Show”: Formal Warning
2. Second “No Show”: 2nd Formal Warning
3. Third “No Show”: Services will automatically be placed on hold and the student will be notified by written correspondence (a letter and an email). The student will be informed about the policy surrounding the use of a communication facilitator and how to request continuation of interpreting services. For those students wishing to continue use of the communication facilitator, an appointment will be made with the Director of Student Counseling & Disability Services to discuss the situation.