Thanks about the college idea. I never thought about it. As far as the Spec. Ed., they provide the service, but charge for it.

Have you checked with the community college or other university near by? When I was in school, I took sign language for "fun". I thought it would be interesting, I wonder if you could see if anyone in those classes would be willing to come to your school for those times to provide a service? Some students, that age, maybe looking for service hours, I know when I was in school, I just wanted the practice.

Have you checked with Special Education Department at your school? Maybe they can be of assistance.

Hope this helps.

We have a mother and father that are both hearing and voice impaired. Their children are not and communicate through sign language as their translators. I have dealt w/them for the last 3 years in our Brownine group with them wanting us (the Troop) to provide interpiturs. We have found a group that will do this but at a cost of $50 an hour for a minumim of 2 hours. No one will volunteer their time.

Now they want the PTO to provide the same. We just cannot afford it, but want them to be involved. The school offered last year to foot the bill (out of their budget), but sometimes they would show and sometimes they would not and the school was charged anyway.

Now for school functions, i.e. conferences, meetings, special school sponsored events, those are things that I feel strongly that they should pay for..... but the PTO?

I'm trying to find someone(that may not be a "professional") through a church, or other organization to help out. But it's not fair to them if this family says they will be there and then don't show up. They have no desire to help themselves. What do we do??? We really want them to participate and feel that they could would be a big help in teaching others diversity/tolerance, etc., but we can't afford the cost.

Please offer advice.