American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be available at key events to clubs and societies registered with the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA).
CUSA’s accessibility committee approved a budget Nov. 5 of up to 100 hours of interpreting services, at a cost of $6,215.
The committee can approve funding without CUSA council, according to bylaws.
This funding is in addition to $5,000 already budgeted for ASL interpretation at CUSA council meetings and elections, a service that debuted August 2013.
“We’ve had a couple of successful council meetings with ASL interpretations and they’ve gone really, really well,” said Shawn Humphrey, a CUSA councillor and accessibility adviser for clubs and societies.
Humphrey said clubs and societies were asking for money for ASL interpretation.
An initial $5,000 in the ASL fund was only available to CUSA council meetings and elections, said Luke Smith, who made the proposal for increased funding.
“We’re hoping there will be a big enough demand for the 100 hours made available, and I expect . . . there will be people looking to take us up on the offer,” Smith said.
Humphrey said he will be making clubs and societies aware of the funding.
