Accommodations

Introduction

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (ADA), is a federal law prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and, together with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), ensures to deaf and hard-of-hearing students, parents, staff, and community members the right of equal access to services and accommodations provided by the School District of Philadelphia through enhanced communications.

The School District is committed to fostering compliance with Title II of the ADA, Section 504, and all similar statutory and regulatory laws, by providing its services, programs and school-sponsored activities in a way that assures all reasonable accommodations are made to accomplish equal access through communications.

Access to School Facilities, Regional Offices or The Education Center for Those Who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing

Many deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals now use e-mail and print pagers. The School District of Philadelphia wants to know your preferred method of communication. Please let us know when you first contact us.

Email Communications

The School District’s main information email address is monitored between 7:30 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Please contact us at ask@philasd.org.

Telephone Communications

A telecommunications relay service (TRS) acts as an intermediary between the person who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and the person who uses a standard telephone. All rely on a ‘communications assistant’ (CA) who either relays the communications via text telephone or, if qualified, sign interprets the hearing participant’s communications to the deaf or hard-of-hearing participant’s video monitor equipment.

If you already use a private relay service provider at your home, please email, write or call us and let us know your relay service contact information.

In Pennsylvania, a text telephone TRS is available free-of- charge through the Pennsylvania Relay Center Service at:  1-800-654-5988.

For additional information, please contact:

Mary Fagan, Ed:K-12

Lead Sign Language Interpreter

School District of Philadelphia

signlanguagerequest@philasd.org

Sign Language Interpreter Request Information Form

Provides information, as well as the necessary forms, to request a sign language interpreter.

Sign Language Interpreter Request Form

Translations for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services

If you prefer this information in another language, please click here for more information.