The Second Case Study
Scheduling An Interpreter
Let’s follow the case of DeShaun a little further. Now that you know he would want an interpreter for a meeting with a team of people, how do you go about finding an appropriate and qualified person to fill that role?
You will learn more about working with an interpreter later on in this training, but in order to avoid experiencing a lack of communication at a critical point, here are three points to keep in mind:
KNOW HOW TO SCHEDULE A QUALIFIED INTERPRETER.
If a client requests an interpreter, know your system’s protocol for contacting interpreters. As you do this, ask clients if they have any preferences for interpreters they want to work with or don’t want to work with. The Deaf community is relatively small, and while interpreters’ follow a code of professional conduct requiring confidentiality, some deaf people may not be comfortable with certain interpreters knowing about parts of their lives that might be discussed in your appointments. If at all possible, respect the right of clients to have a say in who the interpreter will be.
Also note that just because one client does not want to work with a specific interpreter does not mean that interpreter is not qualified to work in other situations.
INCORPORATE LIMITATIONS ON INTERPRETER SCHEDULES
Unfortuntately, the number of qualified sign language interpreters is limited. Be willing to be flexible with your scheduling of appointments so that you can find a time that works for the client and the interpreter who will be there to ensure you can all communicate effectively.
MAINTAIN A LIST OF INTERPRETERS OR REFERRAL SERVICES
As part of the process for scheduling interpreters, your system should have developed a list of qualified interpreters or a list of referral agencies that will contact interpreters for you.
The state of Minnesota maintains a web site with a list of interpreter referral agencies. Your specific workplace may have a more specific list of which agencies to contact.
http://interpreterreferral.org
IDENTIFY WHO IS QUALIFIED TO INTERPRET (ADA)
Part of the system of scheduling and utilizing interpreters requires identifying who is qualified. In the past, family members (including young children) were depended upon to interpret for Deaf people in health care settings. The profession of sign language interpreting, however, has developed so that this is no longer necessary or appropriate.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a qualified interpreter as “an interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.” In practice, this definition is most often defined as an interpreter is certified by the national professional association for interpreters, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) or the National Association of the Deaf (NAD.) RID and NAD have jointly developed the National Interpreter Certification (NIC.) Like other licensures, interpreter certification provides a minimum standard of quality and also includes an ethical practices system that makes interpreters accountable to adhering to a Code of Professional Conduct.
Acceptable certifications may include:
- RID Certificate of Interpretation (CI) and Certificate of Transliteration (CT)/ CSC
- Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)
- NAD IV or NAD V
- NIC, NIC Advanced or NIC Master
Click here for more information from RID on interpreter certifications.
