Can I bring my own translator to an IEP meeting and have the school pay for it?

If you need an IEP meeting translated into your native language, you can make a suggestion or recommendation to the school of where to go to find a translator in your community. However, it’s not recommended that you ask the school to hire a translator who’s a friend or relative. They can have a harder time directly translating because they are emotionally attached to your child.

With that said, it can be helpful to bring a friend or a relative who speaks both languages to the IEP meeting with you. They can inform you if the school’s translator is translating correctly.