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So, you have been asked to
provide a sign language interpreter... |
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Don't fret! It really is painless
but providing an interpreter does make a world of
difference. |
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new and strange experience for you. It's only
natural to have some questions about it. Let's get
started... |
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What is a sign language
interpreter? And what is ASL? |
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Let's start with ASL! ASL stands
for American Sign Language. It is used throughout
the United States and parts of Canada.
Interesting Fact: ASL is not
the same language as English (notice that ASL is not
used in other English Speaking countries like the
United Kingdom or Australia). ASL has very different
grammatical syntax, idiomatic expressions, verb
tenses and much more.
While most people don't even give it much
thought, English is an auditory language. It is
dependant upon the way people speak and how the
sounds are heard
(click here for examples)
What is an ASL interpreter? A
professional interpreter is one that is certified by
either the state of Texas or the national
organization RID
(Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf).
A professional interpreter must follow a
strict code of ethics
and facilitate communication from the Deaf consumer
to the 'hearing' client'. |
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Why can't a deaf person just bring their own
interpreter? |
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There are two main reasons: Personal and Legal |
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Legal Reason- There are numerous state
and federal laws that may apply to providing an
interpreter. The most commonly known is the 1990
Americans with Disability Act (ADA). It
states that public entities (like a medical office,
hospital, legal office, counseling office, and much
more) are required to provide 'effective
communication' for their deaf clients.
This also pertains to companies that have deaf
employees - you must provide effective communication
for staff meetings, company functions, etc.
Another popular federal law is the 1973
Rehabilitation Act. Which states that any entity
that receives any amount of federal funding is
required to provide interpreters.
AND... if that weren't enough there are a number
of anti-discrimination laws and state laws that also
apply.
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| Personal Reason-
If a deaf person does bring their own "interpreter"
it ends up being a family member or a friend.
Believe it or not- most of the time the family
member or friend may know very little about ASL.
Maybe just enough to get the most basic of concepts
across.
Can you imagine having a medical emergency in
a foreign land where the doctor is trying to explain
your need for a life-saving procedure and the
"interpreter" they brought in only understands a
fraction of the language? Do you feel all of your
questions will be answered...worse yet, what if you
are trying to explain that you are allergic to a
very commonly used medication...how do you get that
across?
Furthermore, the friend of family member, who is
not qualified, will have to know your personal
business.
Examinations by physicians can reveal some very
personal information. Is that information that you
want to share with your young child, your parents or
even your neighbors.
Especially in situations with family members,
deaf people were left out of the loop. People never
want to break the bad news and there have been
situations where the deaf person was never told what
was going on...simply because it was to hard for the
family member to try and tell them.
This is why professional certified interpreters
have a strict code of ethics. This is why
interpreters must remain impartial in all
situations.
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I have an employee that
knows some sign... is that ok? |
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| It depends!
Is your employee fluent in ASL?
Have they gone through professional interpreter
training (not just taken sign classes)?
Are they a certified interpreter?
These are the important questions that you should
ask. If the answer is no to any of them we strongly
suggest that you don't use that employee.
However, the real question comes down to
'effective communication'! Does the deaf person feel
there has been effective communication? Do you?
If that employee is acceptable by all parties
then you are in good shape. But if at anytime that
communication breaks down...then there will be a
problem.
However, one benefit of working with an agency
like the Goodrich Center for the Deaf is that you
are covered. Not only can you rest assured that you
are getting a certified interpreter but you are also
covered for any liability of the interpreter.
If your employee makes a mistake- that liability
falls back on you.
Getting an Interpreter
is like contracting with an electrician. Do you want
an uncertified employee trying to 'fix' your
electrical system? |
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Can't I just add the cost of
the interpreter to their bill? |
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| Wouldn't that be sweet?
But if you did that then YOU wouldn't be providing
the interpreter...they would.
And as we already know, the law requires you to
provide that reasonable accommodation.
There is some good news! Costs of
interpreting services is considered a tax write off.
Make sure to keep your receipts and give them to
good ol' Uncle Sam.
Click here for more info. |
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What if I didn't get an
interpreter? |
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| If the deaf
client/employee could prove that effective
communication didn't happen then you run the risk of
heavy fines from the Federal and State Government.
Furthermore, there is precedent that issues of
discrimination would come into play. |
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I was told I need two
interpreters...what's that about? |
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| Interpreting can be
quite a challenge. Not only do we have to listen to
what the speaker is saying, understand what they are
saying, figure out how to change that English into
another language... then we have to put it all
together in a visual language.
Concentration alone can be pretty difficult...but
after about two hours the ability to concentrate
starts to dull and the 'effectiveness' of
communication starts to slip.
But more than all that...interpreting ASL for two
hours is like doing a mini-workout...while you are
concentrating on what everyone is saying.
So, for safety reasons for our interpreters (we
have to worry about workman's comp too) and for
effectiveness issues the industry requires two
interpreters if the assignment is continuous for
more than two hours. |
