Frequently Asked Questions
Is it required that my business or organization provide interpreting services?
The federal law entitled the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that individuals with disabilities be given effective access to communication in the areas of employment, government services, medical and mental health, legal and recreational services. A deaf person may choose to request a sign language interpreter. The service provider should ask the deaf/hearing impaired person what kind of accommodation they need in order to communicate with you effectively.
The ADA defines a qualified interpreters as “an interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.” It is vital that the interpreter be qualified for the situation they are interpreting. VCI goes a step above and uses RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) and NAD (National Association of the Deaf) certified interpreters. A certified interpreter is one who has minimally met the standards set forth by a certifying body. This includes knowledge of the Code of Professional Conduct as well as satisfying a standard on a performance skills test. The certifying organization (RID) has a grievance procedure that allows consumers to address violations of their respective code of ethics.
What is the proper term to use – deaf or hearing impaired?
Despite the fact that the ADA law uses the terminology “hearing impaired”, deaf people would prefer to be called “deaf”. The term hearing impaired is actually offensive to many deaf people because it implies that something is wrong with or broken on an individual. Deaf people are very proud of their language, American Sign Language, as well as their deaf culture which is prevelant within the deaf community.
What about the term “deaf interpreter”?
ASL interpreters can be deaf (Certified Deaf Interpreter CDI) but 99% of the time they are hearing and should be referred to as a sign language interpreter or an ASL interpreter.
What services does VCI provide?
VCI bridges communication between deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing parties through professional American Sign Language interpreting. Our services are available in person in medical, government, legal, education, business, convention, media and personal/family settings
What is the geographic area serviced by VCI?
Our services are currently focused in East Tennessee (Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge, as well as the following counties: Knox, Anderson, Blount, Loudon, Monroe, McMinn, Sevier, Hamblen, Jefferson, Scott. As VCI grows we will continue to expand our service area.
Are interpreting services free?
The simple answer is no. The act of interpreting is physically and mentally demanding. VCI provides professional American Sign Language
interpreters to perform this work; thus we charge for the services rendered.
VCI bills for interpreting services on an hourly basis. Rates are based on the complexity, duration, and type of assignment. Additional fees apply to requests made with less than 24 hours notice and/or same day requests. Travel time will be invoiced at the base hourly rate if the assignment location is 25+ miles in one direction from the starting point of the interpreter assigned. Please contact VCI directly for rates and further explanation of mileage rates and travel time charges as well as our terms of services agreement.
Payment for invoices may be done via check. Call for details.
When would I need to consider hiring an interpreter?
Every situation, business, and organization varies. Interpreters are used daily for meetings, workshops, trainings, appointments, etc. If your goal is to convey accurate information in the most efficient way and for everyone in the setting to participate equally, then an interpreter should be hired.
I’ve been told we will be charged for two interpreters. Why two?
Due to the physically and mentally demanding nature of our profession, sign language interpreting, two interpreters are required for most assignments that last over 2 hours. This is in accordance with the industry standard. There are a few exceptions such as: medical appointments, some legal assignments, and some social work and mental health assignments. These exceptions are at the sole discretion of the VCI interpreter coordinator.
