Qualified Deaf Interpreters
A VOICE IS YOUR EXPERT RESOURCE FOR QUALIFIED DEAF INTERPRETERS
WHAT IS A DEAF INTERPRETER?
A Deaf Interpreter (DI) is an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing and possesses excellent communication skills in both American Sign Language and English.
The DI has been trained in the role and ethics of an interpreter and may also have specialized training and/or experience in use of gesture, mime, props, drawings, home signs, and matching sentence structure and language development of the deaf person for whom they are interpreting.
The DI has an extensive knowledge and understanding of Deafness, the Deaf community, and/or Deaf culture. They bring this expertise with them when working as a team with a hearing Sign Language interpreter.
WHEN WOULD YOU NEED A DEAF INTERPRETER?
You can utilize a Deaf or Hard of Hearing team for all kinds of interpreting requests, particularly anything legal in nature where accuracy of the record is of the utmost necessity.
It is always good to consider a second set of eyes, especially those of a native ASL user, when interpreting for people in the following circumstances:
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Deaf children or youth.
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A Deaf individual with a developmental disability.
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Someone using non-standard American Sign Language (ASL) or a unique dialect of ASL.
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A Deaf person who uses a foreign sign language
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A crime or domestic violence victim.
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A Deaf person overwhelmed by the pace of the interpreting process.
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In a variety of legal or legal related settings.
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Mental and behavioral health.
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Live or televised public health or emergency service announcements, briefings or events
