faq
Sign Language Interpreters are trained professionals who provide communication access between signing and non-signing communities. Many organizations including medical facilities, schools, and businesses hire ASL Interpreters for clear and accurate communication during appointments, events, and meetings. Our Interpreters at All ASL Interpreting Services are very familiar with Deaf culture and are able to minimize cultural misunderstandings. They are also able to provide guidance to improve communication accessibility.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits any place of business (regardless of profit/non-profit status) from discriminating against any individual with a disability or special needs. Under this law, equal access to business services or events is required. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, this usually means that the business must hire an ASL interpreter at their own expense to provide equal access to communication. However, there are a few exceptions. Please consult a legal professional for additional information.
The interpreter facilitates communication between users of ASL and users of English– the interpreter does not give opinions, advise, or exhibit bias to either party. Sometimes the interpreters asks for clarification on what is being communicated. They sit or stand to the opposite of the Deaf person and near the main speaker. When you are speaking, talk to the Deaf person– not the interpreter. The interpreter generally gives the responses of the Deaf person in first-person. If you have any questions or concerns, please relay them to the interpreter.
Everyone has different life experiences, educational experiences, upbringings, and skill sets. Thus, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to communication. Reading lips is a very challenging skill, as only 30% of speech is understandable on the lips. Additionally, ASL (American Sign Language) does not have the same grammatical structure and words as English; ASL is its own unique language. Not all Deaf people are familiar with English, thus writing back and forth causes misunderstandings.
Though a common request, using a family member as an interpreter is inappropriate. The proficiency of the family member’s signing skills is unknown, putting the medical facility or business at risk for miscommunication, safety, and accuracy issues. Professional Interpreters operate under a strict code of ethics that requires confidentiality and accurate interpretation of the messages.
No; HIPPAA has a provision for interpreters to receive protected health information as a business associate.
In most cases, yes. Tax benefits are available for businesses that hire interpreters. Consult your tax professional for more information.
Assignments that last two hours or more require two interpreters to be hired and work as a team. Additionally, there are other circumstances where two interpreters are necessary. This is industry standard. Research shows that the process of interpreting is a very mentally exhaustive task, so hiring a team of two interpreters for longer projects is done to minimize interpreter fatigue.