Hiring deaf IS interpreters models international competency to the deaf community, provides jobs, demonstrates human rights, and connects the deaf community across the world. As you hire more deaf people, the community has to build their skills to match the demand in this market. They then feed deaf from developing countries with role models on how to access communication that connects them to the rest of the world. They gain access to funding that lifts them out of the poverty cycle, builds global competence, and supports development efforts.

Deaf people have long been left out of international exchange and conversations because of the high costs of interpreting. Hiring deaf interpreters for your events is one of the lowest cost ways to begin to change that dynamic.

Ironically, most deaf people are already highly skilled in managing two cultures through interpreters, deaf and hearing. With more access and exposure to international opportunities, they may lend us all greater insight on language access and boundaries. Hiring deaf interpreters for your events is one of the lowest cost ways to begin to change that dynamic.

As you work to justify the budget for sign language interpreters, perhaps you might suggest this budgetary line item as an investment in international development as a whole and to the deaf community specifically, rather than only an investment in access generally.

Captioners can use both the built-in Zoom (or other platform) captioning and a separate livestream link to follow along at their leisure. They also provide meeting transcripts by request.

Captioners work in a wide variety of virtual platforms so they likely have worked with your platform before. If you have meeting specific technology requirements, please contact us via our contact form or through email so we can answer your specific questions.

Pertinent ADA Section for Title II entities (state and local governments) and Title III entities (business and nonprofit organizations that serve the public).

ADA Title II and Title III Entities Requirements

FCC Rules Regarding IP-Delivered Video Programming

FCC Guidelines for Captioning Internet Video Programming

What is it?

Human-generated simultaneous translation of spoken English into readable text. Captioning provides accessibility to audio information for people who are deaf/hard of hearing whose first language is English, as well as English speakers with different native languages.  It also benefits individuals with cognitive or motor challenges, as well as those with other communication barriers.

Deaf-led Video Tutorial (Interpreted into English)

This video tutorial will show you best practices for live ASL interpreters.

Video Tutorial

Zoom’s Sign Language Interpreting View

There are still some limitations with Zoom’s Sign Language interpreting view. The biggest disadvantage is that the interpretation will not show up in a recording. The interpreter will also not be able to turn on their mic automatically leaving it up to hearing presenters to open the mic or having a second thread that can access a mic. This may create problems for equal access to communication.

Here is the link to Zoom’s information about the option: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/9513103461005-Enabling-Sign-Language-interpretation-view

Preparing for Your Event

Our suggestion is to hold a rehearsal of all tech/screen switches, to ensure that what the attendees are viewing is what you intend.

Important Notes For Webinars:

Recording: To capture the ASL interpreters into the recording they need to be spotlighted. Pinning is not enough. You can spotlight both the interpreter and the presenter.

Switching Interpreters: When the interpreters switch the most professional look we have found is to:

1. Have the second interpreter turn on their video
2. Change the spotlight from the 1st interpreter to the second interpreter
3. Make sure the first interpreter is unspotlighted then turn off their camera

We recommend allowing the interpreters cohost privileges so you don’t have to manage this. Following these steps will make the switches look more smooth to the audience and you will avoid a black screen when the first interpreter turns their video off before you’ve spotlighted the second interpreter.

Same or Separate Link

Most deaf consumers we’ve worked with have preferred to have the interpreters in the same link with everyone else and message through the chat to the interpreters. Not all deaf consumers are the same. Please check with them what their preferences are.

CART/Live Captioning

Captioners can use both the built-in Zoom (or other platform) captioning and a separate livestream (Streamtext) link to follow along at their leisure. They also provide meeting transcripts by request.

Captioners work in a wide variety of virtual platforms so they likely have worked with your platform before. If you have meeting specific technology requirements, please contact us via our contact form or through email so we can answer those questions.

Things to Think About

Zoom Functionality

If you’re new to hosting Zoom meetings and webinars here is a link to tutorials for Zoom settings and functions: Zoom Tutorials

2-Way Communication

How will the deaf person communicate in the meeting? Will everyone use chat? Will they sign? If so, will the interpreters be able to see them easily, or do the interpreters have to search through a list or assortment of video screens?

Breakdowns

What should the protocol be if the deaf person cannot see the interpreter or the interpreter has a problem accessing the content? Should they text you? Should they use chat? Should they speak up in the meeting? What is plan A, B, and C?

Suggestions for Engaging Deaf Colleagues, Employees, and Participants from the National Association for the Deaf

Here are a couple of links from the National Association for the Deaf on best practices for integrating interpreters for virtual meetings or working with deaf in general.

Remote Employment Guidelines for Employers (This is meant for employers, but it also has some great advice on best practices for integrating Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers.)

Video Conferencing Platforms Feature Matrix (This is great to get a sense of what platforms work well for Deaf and Hard of Hearing consumers.)

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Zoom Tutorial w Interpreters

Zoom Tutorial w Interpreters

Title II,III  (US Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division)

“The ADA requires that title II entities (State and local governments) and title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities. The goal is to ensure that communication with people with these disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities….

• Covered entities must provide auxiliary aids and services when needed to communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities….

The ADA uses the term “auxiliary aids and services” (“aids and services”) to refer to the ways to communicate with people who have communication disabilities….

• For people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or are deaf-blind, this includes providing a qualified notetaker; a qualified sign language interpreter, oral interpreter, cued-speech interpreter, or tactile interpreter; real-time captioning; written materials; or a printed script of a stock speech (such as given on a museum or historic house tour). A “qualified” interpreter means someone who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively (i.e., understanding what the person with the disability is saying) and expressively (i.e., having the skill needed to convey information back to that person) using any necessary specialized vocabulary….”

The National Association of the Deaf provides Resources, Guidelines, and further Explanation.

Article – 9 Access (United Nations: Division for Social Policy and Development Disability)

1. To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas….

2. States Parties shall also take appropriate measures:

e) To provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to buildings and other facilities open to the public;…

The World Federation of the Deaf provides further guidelines and resources for the international deaf community.

We offer a Rewards program to help bring down your costs. See this link for details.

We offer financial rewards (bonus discounts) for multiple requests and for hiring more than 3 deaf interpreters in a month. We also referral rewards and additional discounts for large numbers of requests (20 or more) within a month.

Rewards Program Details

This report highlights the ways that employing people with disabilities and providing them access have far reaching benefits, including financial.

The Guardian reported, “At a parliamentary meeting on the case for disability-inclusive development three years ago, one MP playing devil’s advocate said: “Yes, but isn’t this all too costly?”….