Guidelines for submitting an interpretation request:

• You may ask for more than one language on a single request form for up to 15 languages. If more languages are needed, please place a separate request. 
• Request an interpreter at least ten (10) business days prior to the event.
• Priority, special, and same-day requests are not guaranteed. We will accommodate short-notice requests based on availability and level of urgency. The Interpretations office will be in contact to confirm the final status. 
• In order to maximize the effectiveness of interpretation services, the site contact should follow the appropriate process steps below. Some steps may not apply in consecutive interpretation settings.

Prior to the meeting:

• Make sure your interpretation request communicates the exact meeting location, including room number/name, expected number of people in need of interpretation services, and whether the use of interpretation equipment is required.
• Please confirm parents will attend in advance of the meeting to provide cancellation notice to the Multilingual Communications Interpretations Office at least one business day for Spanish and two business days for all other languages in advance. If the parent cannot attend, immediately notify interpretations@dpsk12.org and provide the service request number as reference for service cancellation. Your school or department may be billed for on-site cancellations and cancellations with notice of less than one business day for Spanish and two business days for all other languages. We hope you understand that without proper notice the district still incurs interpreter costs and resources are tied-up for everyone. In the case of special circumstances please contact the Multilingual Communications Interpretations Office via email for a waiver of charges.
• Understand that the role of the interpreter is to communicate from source language to target language accurately and completely. Interpreters are not facilitators or advocates.

Once the meeting begins, review the following with participants:

• Address the non-English speaker(s) directly, not the interpreter
• Speak clearly and in short sentences
• Allow time for the interpreter to speak after each complete thought
• For better communication, periodically make eye contact with the interpreter
• Make sure only one person speaks at a time
• Avoid side conversations
• Speak freely - all interpreters are sworn to confidentiality

Interpretation for Special Education meetings, including Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and Section 504 meetings, is available in any language and is serviced by the Multilingual Communications Interpretations Office, regardless of the type of meeting. All interpretations related to Special Education are available free of charge to any DPS school.

Charter schools are eligible to request language services on a fee-for-service basis

Interpretation costs vary based on language

• Spanish: $49 to $180.00 per hour  (1.5 hour minimum)
• Other languages: $64 to $400.00 per hour (2 hour minimum)
• Special Education-related requests such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are free in any language

Guidelines for submitting an interpretation request

• Use a DPS email address to submit a request for all languages needed (principals and office managers have DPS e-mail addresses).
• Request interpretation services at least ten (10) business days prior to the event.
• Please confirm parents will attend in advance of the meeting to provide cancellation notice to the Multilingual Communications Interpretations Office of one business day for Spanish and two business days for all other languages. If the parent cannot attend, immediately notify interpretations@dpsk12.org and provide the service request number as reference for service cancellation. 
• Priority, special, and same-day requests are not guaranteed. We will accommodate short-notice requests based on availability and level of urgency. The Interpretations office will be in contact to confirm the final status.

There are many advantages to requesting a phone interpreter for small interpretation settings. It is fast, simple and convenient. It is also effective and saves the district money. If any participant is unable to attend and the meeting is rescheduled or canceled, the district does not pay for the service since it was not used. Phone interpretation is not meant for large groups, simultaneous interpretation formats or large conference settings. It can be used for one-on-one meetings, last-minute interpretation needs or to set up a future meeting that requires in-person interpretation.

Preparation steps

• Request account information to use this service at interpretations@dpsk12.org. This information is unique by school or department.
• Select a distraction-free/private environment, such as an office or classroom.
• Have a telephone with speakerphone or conferencing capabilities.
• Make sure all parties are present before dialing in.
• Dial the number previously provided for your school or department.
• Do not keep an interpreter on hold. In most cases, it takes less than 3 minutes to connect to an interpreter. If you are unable to connect with an interpreter for a particular language, please contact our office for further assistance. 

Once the meeting begins (review with participants)

• Your meeting begins once you are connected to the interpreter
• Address the non-English speaker(s) directly, not the interpreter
• Speak clearly and in short sentences
• Allow time for the interpreter to speak after each complete thought
• Encourage your guest(s) to ask questions
• If multiple people are in the room, make sure to speak one at a time
• Avoid side conversations
• Speak freely - all interpreters are sworn to confidentiality

If you have questions, please contact interpretations@dpsk12.org.