|
creating
change |
understanding
disability |
understanding
deaf culture |
addressing
accessibility |
understanding
violence |
responding
to violence |
safety alert
If you are in danger, please use a safer computer, call 911 or your local hotline or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233 voice), 1-800-787-3224 (tty). There is always a computer trail, but you can click ESCAPE to leave the site quickly.
You are here: home>addressing accessibility>designing environments for all>communication>Adapting Communication to Meet Specific Needs>
Using Interpreters
Interpreters
The communication process is difficult in America when people use languages other than English. For survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind persons, communicating with people that do not know American Sign Language (ASL) becomes a central issue. Sign language interpreters mediate language barriers between people who are deaf and or hard of hearing and people who speak English. To make the communication experience as complete as possible for both hearing and deaf or hard of hearing participants, interpreters must be fluent in both English and ASL. In addition, interpreters must be able to modify their language use to fit the needs of survivors.
Types of Interpreters
The range in types of interpreters is vast but the overwhelming majority of requests for interpreters are for American Sign Language (ASL). Nonetheless, it is important to know the variations in order to serve people appropriately.
Specialties include:
- American Sign Language – ASL is comparable in complexity and expressiveness to spoken languages. It is not a form of English. It has its own distinct grammatical structure, which must be mastered in the same way as the grammar of any other language. ASL differs from spoken language in that it is visual rather than auditory and is composed of precise handshapes and movements.
- Signed Exact English (SEE)– SEE is a sign language system that represents literal English, and makes visible everything that is not heard. Since American Sign Language or ASL has different vocabulary, idioms and syntax from English, SEE modifies and supplements the vocabulary of ASL.
- Sign Languages from other countries– ASL is not universal. Just as hearing people in different countries speak different languages, so to, Deaf people around the world sign in different languages.
- Tactile Signing for the Deaf-Blind– Tactile signing is a common means of communication used by people who are both Deaf and Blind. It is based on a standard system of Deaf manual signs.
- Facilitated Communication – An alternative means of expression for people who cannot speak or whose speech is highly limited.
Certification
Interpreters are certified at different levels and for different kinds of interpretation. This includes: Sign Language Interpreters, Oral Interpreters, Deaf-Blind Interpreters, Deaf Interpreters and Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) who is trained in ASL but also in the use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication. For more information on certification and types of interpreters, go to the website for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf 
.
Finding Qualified Interpreters
Locating a qualified and reliable interpreter who can maintain confidentiality and works well with survivors is difficult. People in rural areas can have an even more difficult time as the availability of interpreters may be limited. Here are some ideas to help you be prepared to find qualified interpreters in your area:
- Contact Deaf organizations in your area or the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf for referrals for interpreter agencies and interpreters.
- Contact interpreter agencies and interpreters in your area to build relationships.
- Set up a plan with an interpreter agency or interpreters in your area to get interpreters in an emergency situation.
- Become familiar with Relay services enables Deaf, hard of hearing, oral and late deafened individuals to place text-to-speech relay calls from their mobile device or personal computer to any standard telephone user in the US. For more information, Deaf Network maintains a list of the providers that offer Relay Service Online & Video Relay Service.
Overall, having on-call or emergency interpreters takes collaboration and pre-planning. In addition, collective planning and training at the citywide, regional, or statewide levels improves barriers that many organizations encounter.
Case Studies
What can happen when a person’s interpretation needs are not met? The following stories illustrate Deaf Survivors trying to access safety. Both obstacles and solutions are addressed.
