Comply with the ADA…it’s the Law!
Do not leave yourself or your office/event venue/business open to complaints or lawsuits. Allow Visual Communication Interpreting to find you not only qualified but nationally certified interpreters. We utilize the services of RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) and NAD (National Association of the Deaf) certified interpreters who are not only skilled in American Sign Language to English and English to American Sign Language, they also possess knowledge of the RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) as well cultural and communication mediation.
Required to hire an interpreter?
The federal law entitled the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that disabled individuals be given access to effective communication in nearly every environment. Effective communication means that a deaf individual has the same/equal accessibility as a hearing person does in any given environment covered by the ADA.
Certified? The law only states “qualified”.
The ADA defines a qualified interpreter as “an interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.” Someone who has rudimentary familiarity with sign language or finger spelling is not a “qualified” sign language interpreter, nor is a parent, sibling, spouse, or family friend. In addition, someone who is fluent in sign language but is unable to process spoken communication from another individual’s signed communication is also not a “qualified” sign language interpreter.
We’ll just write notes! (video in ASL coming soon)
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.
They can just read my lips!
When someone is trying to lip read, they are getting, at best, 30% of the information because 60% of spoken English is made on the back of the throat and 40% is made on the lips. Of that 40%, 20% of the words look exactly the same (i.e. pool and rule or fine and fun). If you have a mustache or beard or form your words in a manner that the deaf person is unfamiliar with, then lips cannot be read easily due to impaired movement for formation differences.
We’ll charge the deaf person for the interpreting services!
Charging a deaf person/people for interpreting services provided as a public accommodation is illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act law. Civil rights legislation requires that the public or private agency, business, organization, or government entity must be accessible when providing services or when in the role of employer, if they employ more than 15 employees. Therefore, the financial responsibility for access is borne by the public or private agency, business, organization, or government entity. When your office installed a wheelchair ramp to allow people who use a wheelchair to access your services, there were costs involved. You are not allowed to charge a ramp fee each time someone uses the ramp. Therefore, you cannot charge the Deaf or hard of hearing person when they access your services with an interpreter. Talk to your accountant to find out how you may take advantage of generous tax credits which are afforded to those who provide access.
What do you need two interpreters for?
Due to the physically and mentally demanding nature of the profession, 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. Please ask if you have any questions about this aspect. We do not mind explaining and working with you to ensure success.
