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Is it Time to Certify Sign Language Interpreter Referral Agencies?
Alarmingly, sign language referral agencies are sending increasing numbers of unqualified signers to interpret for Deaf consumers, causing harm to the communities we serve and to the interpreting field. Friends, consumers and colleagues around the US have been sharing their local horror stories for years. As this is a national issue it cannot solely be [...]
Sign Language Interpreters Seek Clarity to Defend RID NIC Certification
I want to thank StreetLeverage for creating a forum where issues affecting sign language interpreters and the field of sign language interpreting can be raised and discussed thoughtfully and respectfully. This forum has allowed me the opportunity to share my communications with the RID Board on questions I believe need to be answered regarding the [...]
Self-Talk: A Sign Language Interpreter’s Inner Warning System?
As my team interpreter and I stood outside the courtroom, red-faced, sputtering and hissing at each other like a pair of angry snakes, it was clear that I could have handled this situation more effectively. A confluence of factors led to this stressful scene. Our RID Regional Conference had taken many of the legal sign language [...]
Overcoming Challenges as a Sign Language Interpreter of Color
At times we may question whether our peers value what we bring to the sign language interpreting profession. Regardless of our confidence level about what we bring, I believe we would likely agree that it is a diversity of backgrounds that makes the tapestry of the sign language interpreting profession so beautiful. On my road [...]
Do You Resemble the Sign Language Interpreter in Your Head?
Its part of the human experience to tell ourselves a story about the kind of person we are and why we choose to do what we do. This innate storytelling tendency extends to the professional personas we build as sign language interpreters. Have you ever paused to question if you actually resemble the sign language [...]
Sign Language Interpreters: A Big StreetLeverage Thank You!
It is surreal to me that this month marks the 12th month that StreetLeverage has been working to amplify the voice of the sign language interpreter. As my mind races in review of the last year, I find myself incredibly grateful for the many people who have encouraged, supported, and contributed to this labor of [...]
The Duality of the Sign Language Interpreter
Before I can even consider being an ally to Deaf people in the face of societal audism, as a sign language interpreter I must address another overlooked and, at times, more pernicious enemy—the sign language interpreting profession itself. Enemy is, perhaps, too strong a word for the darker side of my role in Deaf people’s [...]
Sign Language Interpreters: 5 Helpful Tips in Selecting an Attorney
One thing sign language interpreters should know when selecting an attorney is that one size generally does not fit all. There are many misconceptions about attorneys. The generic attitude that a good attorney is something akin to a pit bull is problematic for a number of reasons that I will discuss in this post. In [...]
Failure to Innovate: A Deathblow for Sign Language Interpreting Agencies
Is it still an advantage for sign language interpreters to trade a higher hourly rate in exchange for the “benefits” of being represented by an agency? Particularly, given the world is chock-full of affordable DIY (do it yourself) business and connection tools. While the answer to this question will differ from interpreter to interpreter, the [...]
Defenders of Certification: Sign Language Interpreters Question “Enhanced” RID NIC Test
At this point in our history, the NIC assessment is the foundation for determining who is “one of us” and, as such, certified members of RID should be the defenders of the certification process. However, the fact that certified RID members are unsure of the validity of the current NIC assessment is unacceptable. I believe [...]
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