RID May VIEWS 2021 by Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

VIEWS horizons Issue 38 | Volume 2 | Spring 2021

A CONVERSATION: STOP ASIAN HATE

by Jonathan Webb & Jason Farr

BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESS: HIRING QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS

by The National Deaf Center

RID 2021 NATIONAL CONFERENCE

"Re-Orienting"

A CALL TO ACTION!

by Jeff Wildenstein

Advertise With Us! Check out our advertising packages to reach over 15,000 RID members! 2

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Spring 2021

VIEWS

IN THIS ISSUE:

COVER STORIES

Governance

A Conversation: Stop Asian Hate

Letter from the Editor/4

Jonathan Webb & Jason Farr Page 35 Video Link: https://youtu.be/AD3rHsnC90Y

President's Report /6 Region I Report/ 9 Region II Report/11 Region III Report/ 13 Region IV Report/15 Region V Report/ 17 National Conference/ 28

Columns/Articles

Best Practices in Access: Hiring Qualified Interpreters National Deaf Center Page 31

Self-Care/20 Reflections from an Old Hand/22 Food for Thought/25 Best Practices in Access /31

A Call to Action!

A Conversation: Stop Asian Hate/35

Jeffrey Wildenstein

A Call to Action/39

Page 39

Video Link: https://youtu.be/zBifgWIyDCk

How VRID Successfully Hosted a Virtual Conference/ 42

News From the Desks at HQ/ 19 Discover Interpreting Online /24 RID National Conference/ 28

RID 2021 National Conference Re-Orienting Page 28

MRID & ISRID Anniversary/ 38 Newly Certified/49

To view all articles in ASL, visit our Spring VIEWS playlist on YouTube, www.rid.org/may2021viewsplaylist/ Layout Design and Video Editing by Carla Morris and Jenelle Bloom. Photo collections from Unsplash.

#mayVIEWSspring21

www.rid.org

Letter from the Editor Hello everyone, I am thrilled to be sharing this message with you! My name is Carla Morris, and I am the new communications coordinator at headquarters. In this position, I have taken on the role of Editor-in-Chief of VIEWS. For the past 10 years I have worked in publishing, prior to which I studied linguistics at the University of California at Berkeley and Gallaudet University. Now, I am very happy for this new opportunity to share my skills with RID. These changes in my life are a great example of this issue’s theme, Horizons. Each change is the result of my taking opportunities that appeared on the horizon. By pursuing different goals, exploring different paths, and being curious about various choices in front of me, I have gained so much. These are similar changes that I have seen my good friends and colleagues experience in their work as interpreters, going from student to freelancer to teacher. By keeping their eyes open, they have been able to seize new opportunities as well. Connected to that, I want to encourage you all, whether you are a student or an experienced professional, look for those opportunities. They may not always be obvious, but they are there and need to be found. Due to the pandemic, there are so many new workshops, lectures, and panel discussions available online waiting for you. I encourage you to open your mind and open your heart to new ideas and new experiences. The theme of this issue also precedes our National Conference, which is themed “Re-Orienting.” For the first time, the conference will be 100% virtual, allowing you to participate in real-time regardless of where you are in the world. Keep an eye on the conference webpage as new details will be added weekly (rid.org/2021-national-conference). I hope you enjoy this Spring issue. May the information inside help you explore new horizons! Best Regards,

Carla Morris, PhD Editor-in-Chief

RID BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Jonathan Webb, Ph.D, CI and CT, NIC Advanced president@rid.org Vice President Paul Glaser, MSE, CDI vicepresident@rid.org

Secretary

Kelly Decker, NIC Advanced secretary@rid.org

Treasurer Yakata Nichols, NIC treasurer@rid.org Member at Large LaTanya Jones, M.S.M., NIC memberatlarge@rid.org Deaf Member at Large Branton Stewart, CDI, CLIP-R dmal@rid.org Region I Representative Jason Farr, NIC region1rep@rid.org Region II Representative Eliezer Sierra, MS, NIC, BEI Trilingual: Advanced region2rep@rid.org Region III Representative Marva Johnson, NIC region3rep@rid.org Region IV Representative Deb Martinez, MA, CI and CT, NIC Advanced, SC:L region4rep@rid.org Region V Representative Krystal Sanders, CDI region5rep@rid.org

RID HEADQUARTERS STAFF

Chief Operating Officer Elijah Sow esow@rid.org

Director of Finance and Operations

Finance and Operations Manager

Jennifer Apple japple@rid.org Kristyne Reed kreed@rid.org

Staff Accountant Tong Song tsong@rid.org

Senior Director of Standards and Practices

Professional Development Manager

Ryan Butts rbutts@rid.org Carol Turner cturner@rid.org

EPS Administrator Tressela Bateson tbateson@rid.org Certification Coordinator Ashley Holladay aholladay@rid.org

Standards and Practices Specialist

Director of Member Services and Government Affairs

Jess Kaady jkaady@rid.org Neal Tucker ntucker@rid.org

Affiliate Chapter Liaison Dr. Carolyn Ball cball@rid.org

Communciations Strategist Communications Coordinator

Webmaster

Adam Summers, M.Ed. asummers@rid.org Carla Morris, PhD cmorris@rid.org Jenelle Bloom jbloom@rid.org

www.rid.org

President’s Report Jonathan Webb, RID President PRESIDENT'S REPORT Jonathan Webb, PhD, CI and CT, NIC Advanced President

It’s that time of year. The weather is warming up. We have longer periods of sunshine. Grass is growing and flowers have arrived. Spring is truly in the air. And it being an odd-numbered year, we also have something else in the air—the RID National Conference. This year, given the COVID-19 pandemic, conference will look different in many ways. Everything will be virtual—our sponsors and vendors, professional development opportunities, business meetings, and even networking/ social events. While we anticipate this will take some adjustment in how we participate and engage one another, we’ve fortunately had over a year to become accustomed to new meaningful ways of interacting despite social distancing. With the conference too, I’m convinced, we’ll get it figured out and find creative ways to make this experience exactly what we want it to be. While there are many important pieces to the successful execution of a conference, one critical part that guides the entire process is determination of the title/theme. This year, as I’m sure you’ve seen, the conference theme is 6

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Re-Orienting (English) and glossed SHIFT (ASL). This title and theme came out of numerous conversations and a lot of deliberate discussions around what RID has experienced over the last couple years and where we are headed. From these interactions came three overarching ideas and three undergirding values.

Overarching Ideas: Audism, Transformation, Transition In this year’s conference, RID will very directly begin to openly address its complex relationship with audism. We recognize that while this conversation has been long happening in other places, it has not taken place within our association in a way that pushes and allows us to recognize the complexity of that relationship. In an imaginary utopia, where there was no audism, it is difficult to see there would even be a need for sign language interpreters. Largely because of audism, RID exists. We understand that RID was founded because people were lacking the services they needed to survive, in a way that was not natural and organic to their being. And while the deepest sense of naturalness would have been direct communication with everyone, sign language interpreters (as well as other services) were professionalized. Surviving the impacts of audism requires communication,

and we can see that language issues are some of the primary things that are addressed in attempts to colonize a group. RID came about, and understandably so, out of an effort to organize around communication oppression and linguicism. The other half of the equation is that we have to acknowledge the oppression and linguicism. Because there is a reaction to every action, we must further explore how this organized system also serves itself. We are RID. And we are RID because of audism. It is not the only part of our story, but it is one that has to be addressed, and addressed in the right way. This is a question of our morality, and therefore,

the process of grieving that we go through as we change can be very painful. Pain is the price of being able to actually become the butterfly. And then that means in practical affairs, we have to transition. We have to put some of the things that served us at one point to rest if they no longer serve us. Some of those are cultural customary ways of doing things. RID will always be a member-driven organization. As long as we hold elections and vote in decision makers that will push us further to our vision and mission, then we are member-led. But it is

Surviving the impacts of audism requires communication, and we can see that language issues is one of the primary things that is addressed in attempts to colonize a group. the morality of RID. As a hearing person, this is my under- time to put boundaries around our Ethical Practices System (EPS), our Certification Maintenace Program (CMP), and standing. our Certification/Credentialing Departments. We did this Transformation is what this current Board determined to with CASLI, with great success. No, nothing is perfect, but do. This is a shared vision, and it’s about healing. This word, CASLI has been a success for RID. We now have a Board I’ve discovered, is not the same across cultures. It means dif- of Managers that provides governance but also works very ferent things to different people. In the transformation, just intimately with a qualified director, a diligent coordinator, like the caterpillar evolves into a butterfly, we desire beauty a highly talented pool of test developers, and the list goes and greatness; we desire to fly. But transformation is messy. on. We have a multitude of people who are wholeheartedly A caterpillar dissolves itself. It completely rearranges its or- dedicated to ONE thing—the test. This is what we were missgans and develops new ones. I can’t help but image that it is ing. Things are so much better than they were before, and a painful process. I say that because I acknowledge change we continue to push for improvements. But the other part is a painful process. We want the result, but we don’t want of that is when you run an experiment and you find a degree the process. I think this is the human condition. “Change is of success, then you work to enhance and replicate that suchard” has become such a cliché. It’s so much more than that. cess. President Miako Villanueva has made it clear that this We want to go to acceptance sometimes while denying the has been “the CASLI experiment.” I wholeheartedly agree. road will be difficult, at times disorienting, and even land us There are things that are being fixed and improvements that in unexpected territory. are being made. We have ample opportunity to see if we can That’s what this Board is doing. We see that we can grow, but replicate the strengthening and growth of these programs that growth might make us relinquish some of our self-inter- that constitute our certification—EPS, CMP, and our Cerests. And we aren’t against self-interest. But our self-inter- tification/Credentialing Departments. It’s time to build ests must be in alignment. For me, that’s the healing work. the teams of qualified and diverse peoples around these Alignment. And in a very practical way, it requires that we programs so that we can ensure we are living in alignment ensure what we THINK, DO, and FEEL are in alignment. with our mission and vision. They need attention. Part of Our vision is lofty, and our mission is heavy. We say that is that means shifting the way that we as membership sit in our who we are, but is it really? And if we decided to actually di- authority to regulate them, as they regulate us. The CASLI rectly fulfill the mission and lengthen our stride to realize experiment has been successful. Why not try and see if we the vision, what would it require? There’s always a cost. And can replicate that? Why not transition, so we can transform? www.rid.org

And why can't we do it all with a clear frame of equity and inclusion? This is doable. Do we have to buy-in yet? Because I sense that this may be painful. Are we willing to work through the bumps to actually take ownership of our association and elevate it in ways that make us better? Ways that allow us to be in meaningful service. Ways that will mean we have to transform how we relate to audism, racism, and other isms. Ways that, undoubtedly, are going to impact perceptions of how power is held. I say that because ultimately, at the end of the day, if the membership abandoned RID, RID would be no more. The membership will always hold the power—they will either participate in the system or they will not. But, right now we see success in CASLI, and our other critical programs need this just as much. And if membership is participating in the organization of RID, then as a membership we have to determine how we are doing that.

Ways that will mean we have to transform how we relate to audism, racism, and other isms. Ways that, undoubtedly, are going to impact perceptions of how power is held. I say that because ultimately at the end of the day, if the membership abandonded RID, RID would be no more.

To do this work of actually transforming our systems, we have to go through some decision-making. And so, the energy that we hope the membership proceeds through the conference with is what we are referring to as our three un- an EPS that does what it says, a CMP that truly demands exdergirding values. cellence of us, and a Certification & Credentialing program that centers the needs of the consumer over the needs of the Undergirding Values: Curiosity, Discovery, Growth practitioner. There’s much less to say about this. These are words but they are words intimate to our way of experiencing the world. But, It seems the least we could do. we do hope that practitioners, educators, students, and es- I look forward to the conference. I promise to approach this teemed guests enter this conference with curiosity. There is with great curiosity, a willingness to discover new things, going to be such a wealth of information that there has to be and commit to growth. I invite you to do the same. an openness to the experience, and a curiosity around what might actually make sense. It allows us to discover new ways of thinking, new ways of being, and new ways of existing with others. That then allows us to grow. And even with this, if we could grow further into our mission and vision, then we would be doing well.

My hope is that conference is meaningful for you. I hope there are fun parts. I hope there are moments you are inspired. Moments where you feel yourself seen and heard. Moments where you have an “aha” experience about how these systems work. Moments where you wonder if now is the time to reach out to your affiliate chapter and extend what only you can offer. Moments. And even moments where we start to figure out how to see our relationship to audism, and the incredible responsibility we bear with that. And part of all that requires us to minimize some of what we want in exchange for some of what the community needs. They need

July 8-12, 2021

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Region I Report Jason Farr, Region I Representative FROM THE BOARD Jason Farr, NIC Region I Representative

Hello, and happy spring from Region I, RID Northeast. My name is Jason Farr, and I am the RID Region I Representative. Each month, I host a monthly meeting called the Region I Presidents’ Council, which is an opportunity for Region I Affiliate Chapter Presidents to share what is happening locally with the Region’s leaders, how we can support each other in the work we are doing, and to receive updates from the national RID Board. I am excited to share a few of the many things happening here in the northeast.

As you can see, your local and leaders have been busy, but they could do so much more with you. If you have considered leadership and are interested in seeing what's available, contact your local Affiliate Chapter or email me at region1rep@rid.org. Along with spring comes another change of seasons: Leadership Elections. Many of our Region’s Affiliate Chapters have recently or will be soon hosting elections for leadership positions. I would like to recognize and publicly welcome newly elected President Eliza Fowler of Genesee Valley Region RID and newly elected Co-Presidents Elizabeth Fox, Lisa Bixler, and Janet Dickinson of Vermont RID. Finally, I would like to thank outgoing Presidents Alyssa Vaisey and David Krueger, who have both taught me so much and who I look forward to working with together again.

Genessee Valley - GVRRID

GVRRID had a difficult winter due to the resignation of three board members: our President, Vice President, and Legislation is an important tool in providing language access under a guiding legal framework. Chapters such as Connecticut, Deaf Member-at-Large. The board appointed Alyssa Vaisey as Vice President, and she acted as President until special Maine, and Pennsylvania have taken on this work, and I wish them all the best in their endeavors. At a recent meeting at Gene- elections could take place to replace the positions with over see Valley Region RID, I learned about the Randleman Program a year left in their term. Special Elections just concluded in and the exciting ways they are working to increase the numbers March. and confidence of interpreters of color. Massachusetts has also been busy, most often found co-hosting workshops with other Affiliate Chapters across the country.

We are happy to announce that Eliza Fowler will be our new President and Keven Poore will be our new Deaf Member-at www.rid.org

Large. Both will begin in April. Our regular elections also Conneticut - CRID just wrapped up. Emily Call will become Treasurer and Nikki Cherry will become Vice President when the typical board CRID has been busy with the start of spring. We are revising our bylaws. We have new interpreters graduating and lookterm begins on July 1. ing forward to starting the profession. We are partnering In general, GVR has seen a steady decline in membership with Massachusetts RID for workshops. We are continuing over the past few years and struggles with lack of volunteers our collaborations with our Deaf organizations in the state. for many of our committees. We understand that the value We have voted for a new board. As President for the last 4 of GVR to the community has changed over the last few de- years, I want to take a moment and say Thank You. This has cades, but we want to grow the organization into one that been a rewarding experience. I look forward to supporting will serve the community's needs. To do this, we need your the incoming board. Congratulations CRID, we are now 50 help. Please consider getting involved to help shape the fu- years old! ture of GVRRID! Christina Stevens, Outgoing CRID President

PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETING Available on Amazon

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VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Region II Report Eliezer Sierra, Region II Representative FROM THE BOARD Eliezer Sierra, MS, NIC, BEI Advanced Trilingual Region II Representative

Florida - FRID

We have spent the last few months recruiting to fill vacant Board and Committee positions. We also have spent time Hello everyone! working together developing a strategic plan for the OrgaMy name is Elizer Sierra and I am the Region II Representa- nization's short and long-term objectives. tive. Below you will find the updates for some of the Affiliate Kenneth Houghtaling, FRID President Chapters in Region II. Alabama - ALRID

Georgia - GaRID

Our Chapter hosted 4 different workshops this quarter:

We are beginning to plan our biannual conference in Mobile to be held June of 2022.

GaRID continues to search for opportunities to provide quality, diverse learning opportunities for our members. We are looking forward to our Member Appreciation Day on April 17, 2021. Our presenters Deanna Swope and Chrystal Hardy will be presenting on interpreting for Deaf survivors of violence, as well as using a multicultural framework for vicarious trauma. These workshops are free for our members as a thank you for their membership and dedication to always striving to learn more! Last, we are very excited to partner with GAD for our state conference in July! The conference will be held in Valdosta, Georgia and any member of a RID affiliate chapter qualifies for our member price! See our website for more information!

Wendy Darling, ALRID President

Amanda Tate, GaRID President

• January 16: A New Generation of Slang, 99 were in attendance • January 16: It's a Touchy Subject, 75 were in attendance • February 27: Black History Month Storytelling via Zoom, 78 were in attendance • March 6: Signs of Spring Painting Workshop, 20 were in attendance

www.rid.org

Mississippi - MSRID MSRID has been working on developing our PPM and on planning our 2021 state conference. We will have a virtual conference this year. The dates are September 10 and 24 from 6pm–9pm and September 11 and 25 from 9am–12pm. We are working on our members at large elections for this coming May. We created two Student Representative positions. One student will serve from each ITP in our state. Jamie Olson, MSRID President North Carolina - NCRID NCRID is very excited to host our virtual conference this year. The dates will be June 17–18 with more information coming soon!! Antwan Campbell, NCRID President South Carolina- SCRID Our affiliate chapter is undergoing leadership changes. Our former President has stepped down due to medical reasons. As per our bylaws, we are replacing them with the current Vice-President. In the interim, we are searching for a replacement Vice-President to finish out the current term. Our annual conference is scheduled for May 21–23, 2021. Once we secure our presenters we will have formal flyers and announce it via Facebook and on our page. Heather Knight, SCRID President

Did you know? VIEWS submissions will now be accepted on a rolling basis! See an issue theme that you like? Submit an article! Send your submissions to: www.rid.org/views-submissions/

Submissions for a specific issue must be submitted 3 months before publication

Tennessee - TRID TRID is hosting virtual district meetings, planning mini-workshops, and our annual conference. We plan to collaborate with the TN School for the Deaf when they host their annual Educational Interpreting Institute in June 2021. Megan Potts, TRID President Virginia - VRID VRID has offered several CEU earning opportunities this past quarter. They will be offering a webinar for educational interpreters titled "Strengthening Your Core 4: Science" presented by Tammy Fortune and Katherine McMullen this April 17 from 9am–4pm via Zoom. For more information, please visit https://vrid.wildapricot.org.

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Summer: August 2021 "National Conference"

RIDs 2021 National Conference Conference Theme: Re-Orienting Fall: November 2021 "Education"

Formal and informal ways of learning, growing, and teaching from our experiences.

Region III Report Marva Johnson, Region III Representative FROM THE BOARD in the planning stages of many initiatives, including how to bring quality workshops to our members in the virtual enviMarva Johnson, NIC ronment we all work in during COVID. Our hope is to bring Region III Representative interpreters from all over the state together to help each other grow in the profession. We are working hard to make partnerships with organizations such as the Indiana Association of the Deaf and the Indiana Chapter of Black Deaf Greetings! Advocates. As we look toward the horizon, we anticipate the I am Marva Johnson the Region III Representative. Thank dawning of a fantastic 2021 and a future full of fostering reyou for your support and willingness to have me serve as lationships, professionalism, and equity for ICRID and its your Region III Representative. An unforeseen circum- members. stance required me to temporarily step away soon after the election. I am back and ready to serve! I have had the oppor- Lori Prewitt, ICRID President tunity to meet with the Affiliate Chapter Presidents. I may Illinois - IRID be biased but Region III has phenomenal leadership! Our ACs have responded beautifully to a year of uncertainty, as IRID is thrilled to announce the launch of our new website. you will see with our Affiliate Chapter’s reports. The work Please check us out at irid.org. The IRID board has been has not stopped! They continue to work and find ways to collaborating with Illinois Association for the Deaf (IAD) support our membership as we navigate the pandemic, so- and the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission cial uprisings and transitions in our field. Thank you to each (IDHHC) to re-open testing in the state. The board has also of the Affiliate Chapter leadership team for your dedication been hard at work negotiating and arranging professional and hard work! development opportunities for our members, working interpreters and interpreting students in Illinois. Indiana - ICRID Check out our website for a list of upcoming events includThe sun is coming up on ICRID’s new horizon. The board ing a workshop by Robyn Dean, “Demand Control Scheof directors has been looking at new ways we can serve the ma: An Introduction to Normative Ethics in Interpreting,” interpreters of Indiana to better meet their needs. We are a workshop by Katie Fitzpatrick, “Mental Health for Interwww.rid.org

preters,” and a series of business workshops by Rosemary that govern our profession in Michigan (under PA 204), led by our Legal, Medical/Mental Health, Education, and DeafBocian. Blind committees separately. Angela Malcomson, IRID President MIRID continues to partner with the Michigan Deaf AssoKentucky - KYRID ciation, who has graciously given us boxes of clear masks to KYRID has missed our normal fall and spring conferences distribute to interpreters throughout the state. We are lookfor the past year and half but we are hoping to have a face- ing forward to future collaborations and have great things in to-face conference August 6, 7, and 8, if mandates permit. our sights! KYRID has sponsored a few online webinars and shared other online opportunities for our members. We are pleased to see so many online offerings of such diverse and critical topics. KYRID will be hosting a business meeting that will be held via Zoom on April 24 at 11am and we hope to have a good turn-out. We will be hosting elections for our new KYRID board during this meeting.

Erin Humann, MIRID President

Minnesota - MRID MRID turns 50 this year! We’re really excited, and also trying to be creative as to how we can celebrate this big milestone during a pandemic. We’ve been hard at work coming up with new ways to keep our community engaged during #ZoomLife. We’ve recently started “MRID Morning Mug Hour” the hour before our monthly board meetings. We pick a different topic to talk about every month, folks bring their mug with their favorite beverage, and we socialize for an hour. It’s been great so far! We also recently established MRID Affinity Councils and MRID Regional Ambassadors. Affinity Councils are similar to RID’s Member Sections, and Regional Ambassadors are similar to Regional Reps. We’re just happy spring is finally here, the snow is melted, and the temps are above freezing! Happy spring!

KYRID is sad to announce that our CMP go-to queen has decided to hand off the reigns to a new team to take over processing CMPs for KYRID. Sally Newton has dedicated hours and hours of her time to KYRID over many years and is finally taking a deserved break. We wish her well and thank her for her continued support and volunteer work over these past years. Sally, thank you and we love you! Zac Childers who has volunteered in several capacities on the board and worked directly with Sally processing CMPs has graciously stepped in and helped us get caught up. He is also working with the IRID CMP team to process our upcoming workshops. We are grateful to IRID for helping us during this Tarra Grammenos, MRID President time of transition to our new CMP team. We look forward to Ohio - OCRID what is to come in the upcoming few months as spring turns OCRID has been quite busy in the recent months! We have to summer and the days get longer. been working closely with Deaf/HoH members of the comAmy Schilling, KYRID President munity to build a stronger partnership to ensure OCRID is providing what the community needs from us. We recently Michigan- MIRID sponsored a Deaf Interpreter training that was held here in Things on the horizon are warming up for us here at MIRID, Ohio! We have also established a few ad-hoc committees and I don’t mean just the weather! These past few months, that have been hard at work: Educational Interpreter Comour newly minted board has been busy serving our members mittee, License and Standards Committee, and, recently, in a variety of ways. We have collaborated with local work- Bylaws Committee. These committees are sure to do great shop providers to secure FREE or reduced-price tickets things for OCRID! David, the Director of Programming, for our members to attend workshops. We established new has been busy setting up quite a few professional developcommittees that align with Michigan regulations and focus ment opportunities for our members and we are looking on key specializations in our field: Legal, Medical/Mental forward to finalizing them in the next few months, includHealth, DeafBlind, and Educational interpreting. The new ing our Virtual Summer Conference that we hope to hold Diversity and Inclusion and CDI committees will help ex- in May or June. We are happy to see sunshine, longer days, pand the reach of MIRID to a broader membership. We re- and warmer weather here in Ohio and are looking forward to cently held Town Halls to gather feedback from interpreters all the things to come! on the proposed amendments to the rules and regulations Chelsea Sudar, OCRID President 14

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Region IV Report Deb Martinez, Region IV Representative FROM THE BOARD Deb Martinez, MA, CI and CT, NIC Advanced, SC:L Region IV Representative

More information can be found on our website here: https:// nebraskarid.org/wpblog/nerid-conference/. Our plan is to distribute clear masks to ensure access and participation at the event.

Our chapter also sent monetary help to the Texas Deaf community following the extreme winter weather that affected the area. We are happy to report we hosted a regional “Coffee Chat” on We will also be providing support to the Nebraska Association March 6, 2021. The event focused on clarification of organiza- of the Deaf (NeAD) with their Kids Camp this summer. tion structures, the historical impact of some of the motions made Iowa - ISRID to our bylaws, as well as opportunities for collectively discussing what inspires us to be interpreters, and how we engage within the The chapter’s 50th anniversary celebration will be postponed communities we serve. It was a good first turn out and we are look- until 2022. ing forward to possibly hosting more regional opportunities such as chats, workshops, events, etc. I want to recognize that no event In Iowa there are proposed changes to the licensure laws, which can happen without others, so thank you to President Webb for at- are on notice to the public and list here: tending, The Affiliate Chapter Representative Carolyn Ball for the • One change for those applying for a permanent license is, if planning sessions and recruitment of student volunteers, Monsomeone who has received an advanced certification by the tana RID President Katie Opp, Louisiana RID President Kathylee Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI), they may get a Dawn Melendez, and Iowa RID President Tara R von Walden for license. collectively being a part of the event and leading the break out sessions. Additionally, a big “thank you” to the students of UNF who • For those applying for a temporary license, there are volunteered to support the event via technology and notetaking. some new requirements to check out. Before obtaining a temporary license, applicants must submit a written Nebraska - NeRID agreement with another licensed interpreter as their mentor. We will be hosting a Spring Fling weekend IN PERSON, June 4-5. On June 4, Seth Gore will give a performance for the com• Another requirement is, an applicant may take a writmunity, then on June 5 two workshops will be held during the day ten test from the NIC, the BEI, and the EIPA; or take a for Interpreters: “Unlearning Words and Unlearning Words II, pre-hire examination at the highest recommended The Body is the Center.”

Hello from Region IV!

www.rid.org

• level; or have completed an ITP before obtaining a temporary license. Temporary licenses will be renewed for a two-year period, only once. Everyone is encouraged to write to the licensure board with any support, concerns, or suggestions for these changes on notice. Everyone is encouraged to attend public meetings and make comments as well. The changes will not go into effect until it has been shared with the public. The notice of these changes are on the licensure board’s website. Check out http://idph.iowa.gov/Licensure for more information. Additionally, our board has had to accept the following changes this quarter: • Member-at-Large: resignation; now filled by a member of the Deaf community! • Treasurer: resignation; duties being covered by former Treasurer in pursuit of a new member • Membership Coordinator: resignation; now filled • CMP Coordinator: resignation; remains unfilled and

likely to not be filled, and will stop processing CEUs July 1, 2021. Tara R von Walden, ISRID President Louisiana - LRID The Louisiana Commision for the Deaf is proposing registration of all interpreters, which is a move towards licensure, more transparency in certification levels, and enhanced oversight. Dawn Melendez, LRID President Region IV State Conferences There are two upcoming conferences this summer. Arkansas RID’s State Conference will be held June 1012, 2021. Additional information can be found here: https://www.arkansasrid.org/2021conference/ The Texas Society of Interpreters will be hosting their State Conference July 14-18, 2021. You can read more on their website here: https://tsidconference.org

PURCHASE YOUR OWN PRINT COPY OF VIEWS AND WE WILL SHIP IT TO YOU AFTER THE PUBLICATION DATE! 16 VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38 $9 AN ISSUE, SHIPS FIRST OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING PUBLICATION WWW.RID.ORG/VIEWS-PRINT-ORDER-FORM/

Region V Report Krystal Sanders, Region V Representative FROM THE BOARD Krystal Sanders, CDI Region V Representative

"No borders, just horizons-only freedom." -Amelia Earhart As interpreters we often talk about our boundaries, where do we draw the line. When do boundaries become borders which restrict us? In the now popular virtual interpreting setting, there are no borders in where we work. The culture of Hawaii differs from that of Alaska or Idaho. Region V has gorgeous landscapes; depending on which direction of the compass you are looking from, you can see in us the horizons, mountains, the ocean, the plains, cityscape, or the desert. No one horizon looks the same. Thus, the freedom of learning online gives us new horizons we might not have seen before. If you reside on one coast, yet virtually interpret cross country, wouldn’t it make sense that you would know the regional language of the source and target users? To expand your horizons, here are some virtual events happening in Region V in the next few months.

workshop which can be purchased as a combo or individually for April 30 and May 1. Justin Perez will perform virtually and present about Visual Vernacular. In this workshop you will identify ways to expand your ASL interpretation work using the same techniques used in Visual Vernacular. Also, currently in the works is a job fair for recent graduates coming this spring. Northern California - NorCRID In Northern California, they are preparing a workshop that will focus on DeafBlind community members’ experiences during the pandemic. Sacramento Valley - SaVRID In Sacramento Valley, they are hosting a regular virtual onehour Coffee and Tea Chat every third Tuesday of the month. What a great way to network and learn about local issues on a regular basis! Southern California - SCRID

In Southern California, they host a monthly anti-racist discussion clubs with different articles and videos each month. In April, they hosted their first workshop since COVID-19! Brent Tracy presented his "Beyond the Cover: Judging the Central California - CCRID Story" workshop on the weekend of April 17. They are also In Central California, they are offering a performance and a hosting two "Ask An Interpreter" nights, one was on April www.rid.org

23 and one on May 21. These are geared towards ITP students, recent graduates, and newer interpreters. There will be a panel of working interpreters answering their questions. We are also looking forward to hosting Socorro Garcia in June for a workshop, panel, and moderated discussion on “Interpreting for Accessibility: Entering the Space of Latinx Deaf People.”

cated to licensure information: https://www.orid.org/oregon-licensure. Utah - UTRID

Utah is hosting several workshops this summer. On June 12: “Terp Talk: Ethical Adaptability in VRI Appointments,” June 17: “Student Workshop: Speed Mentoring Part 3,” July 10: “Future Leaders of UTRID: YOU,” and a Hawaii - HRID mini conference on Aug 6 and 7 (early bird prices start on For members of Hawaii RID, you will have an opportuni- May 1). ty in September and October for a training on 5 Sundays, provided by Betty Colonomos, she will present virtually on Washington - WRID “Foundations of Interpreting I.” There are limited spots for Washington is hosting Ritchie Bryant for his workshop tiHRID members, register now to save your spot. tled “Think Me Nuthing? Understanding the Uniqueness

of the Black Deaf Community” on April 24. There are also four more workshops in the works in May, June, and SepIn Idaho, they are hosting a two-part workshop, “Interpret- tember, with more information to come on their website. ing For Language Deprived Students In Education,” on Several ACs are opening nominations now for several board May 14 and 15, you can attend one or both parts. positions. Please look at your local chapter and see if there Oregon - ORID is a spot for you. Idaho - IRID

In Oregon, you can learn about ASL terminology for sports on April 24, presented by ASL educator Kara Gournaris. Also, in Oregon, licensure for sign language interpreters is gaining momentum. There is a webpage on their site dedi-

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Oh, look! Do you see? Far off in the horizon, what is it? Oh, in June/July 2022, Region V will have its biannual conference. Stay tuned in the next few months as we share more information.

From the Desks at HQ How many CEUs have you earned?

Do you need to renew your membership?

Membership renewal is now available! Please be sure to remit payment online by June 30, 2021 to maintain good standing. Login to your account at https://myaccount.rid.org and click on "My Orders" to select your FY22 membership product! www.rid.org

SELF-CARE

What Helps You See the Horizon? COLUMN

"Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am blessed." -Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems Breana Cross-Caldwell, BS, CI and CT Portland, Oregon Breana Cross-Caldwell holds her CI/CT from RID, B.S. in Interpretation from Western Oregon University and is a Certified Life Coach. She has led thousands of interpreters in preventing burnout and finding the passion again in their lives through developing habits of self-care. You can find her on Instagram @brighterfocus.

Spring is showing her vibrant face in many parts of the northern hemisphere, bringing a fresh air of hope.

vaccines, it can be helpful to reflect. This is a time of new beginnings. What helps you to get your bearings and reorient to the horizon-line after a period of darkness? Course-correct Humans are adaptable. We bend and contort to accommodate the world around us. As interpreters we are among the most adaptable of people, striving to fit as closely as possible into the context of our work environment. Over time this adaptability, coupled with increasing demands and limitations like the ones COVID has brought, can mold us into a shape that no longer serves our intentions. We become desensitized to our habitual responses and behaviors. We lose sight of our bigger dreams. Taking stock of where we’re at and where we want to be helps us to recalibrate and realign with our values. Take stock of where you are

In the dark it’s easy to lose sight of the horizon—that an“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step choring point between the land and the sky. As the light is acceptance.” —Nathaniel Branden returns, along with fragrant blossoms, school busses, and To practice awareness, take stock of your life as it is today. 20

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Notice the people you interact with regularly, the work you vision something that feels better and work toward it. do, how your free time is spent, your energy levels, your Take those things that aren’t working for you, one by one, mood, and your health. What’s working for you? What’s and ask yourself: not working? What do I want this to look and feel like? It can be painful to examine your life and find things that are What might be the benefits if I implement this change? not as you’d like them to be. This is where acceptance comes What might happen if I don’t make a change? in. Allowing space for these feelings is essential. Place a hand on your heart as a reminder to practice self-compas- For example, if you noticed that working 100% from home sion, and name the feelings as you notice them. has got you feeling isolated and stir-crazy, and now you’re vaccinated and willing to work around others, maybe you “I’m feeling disappointment.” want to take a few community assignments per week. Or “This is frustration.” if you’ve noticed your energy is low and your muscles are “The sadness is so intense.” tight, maybe you want to get outside in the spring weather

Breathe into your belly, and notice what your mind is doing. Watch for thoughts that stoke and feed the emotions-they likely aren’t serving you. for a daily walk before your workday starts, or for afternoon Breathe into your belly, and notice what your mind is doing. gardening sessions during your lunch break. Watch for thoughts that stoke and feed the emotions—they likely aren’t serving you. Create some distance by naming Recalibrate your GPS the thoughts too. What we’re really talking about here is ways to love yourself “There’s self-judgement.” where you’re at and reconnect to what nourishes you. This “I’m noticing blame.” is a way of recalibrating your GPS, orienting yourself toward “My mind wants to rehash the story.” a meaningful and intentional destination that reignites your sense of passion and hope. Keep breathing deeply into your belly and redirecting your attention to the sensations in your body. Notice where you Doing this seasonally, and especially during or after big life feel the emotions in your body, and how they change as you changes, helps you to stay in integrity with your values. Over watch them. time these check-ins and course-corrections add up to more satisfaction in work and in life, helping to prevent burnout When you feel complete with this part of the process, move and increase wellbeing. your body in a way that allows energy to be expended and released. Go for a walk. Jump on a trampoline. Dance. This Resources Braden, Nathaniel. (1985). Honoring the Self: Self-Esteem and completes your stress cycle (Nagoski, 2019). Personal Transformation. Bantam Books.

When you’re at peace with where you’re at, it’s much easier Nagoski, Emily and Amelia. (2019). What is the stress cycle and to find clarity on where you’re going. Clarify where you’re going

how can you complete it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyppUSV1FN0

Nagoski, Emily and Amelia. (2020). Burnout: The Secret to

Remember those things that brought you disappointment, Unlocking the Stress Cycle. New York: Ballantine Books. frustration, sadness, and judgement? Those are the keys to this next part of the process. This is your opportunity to enwww.rid.org

Reflections From an Old Hand COLUMN

It's that time again. Spring has sprung here in SoCal and our nectarine tree is once again all covered with pink blossoms with bees and baby hummingbirds being fed by their parents. Phil Giambaresi

Former CSC, LCSW (Retired)

California

I was born in 1950 to parents who have been Deaf since their birth. I have a younger brother who is also a hearing child. The influence from my mother's deaf family and my interest in being the family interpreter led to a career of being a certified interpreter. I received a BA in Psychology. At the age of 34, I earned my Master's in Social Work, specializing in mental health of the Deaf. After living in NYC for over 30 years, I moved to California and am now retired.

22 VIEWS Volume 2 •of Issue What did you think this38article?

Can't wait for Donna to make preserves out of the fruit once it gets to that stage. Delicious! Speaking of delicious things, there are many situations to be remembered fondly in my retired interpreter/social worker's past life. Although I enjoy writing of past events to "reflect" upon, this issue of the Spring VIEWS, 2021, has a theme called "Horizons." Horizons are something that one looks for in the future, and it can be an optimistic experience or the complete opposite depending on one's own viewpoint in life's challenges and experiences. Before retirement, I was an actively working freelance interpreter in New York City. As I have often said in this column, the City was a wonderfully diverse and unique place for many opportunities for sign language interpreters! One had the "range" of so many choices to get involved with interpret-

Send your feedback to the authors/editors by clicking here!

www.rid.org//views-may2021-articlefeedback/

When the show was over, someone approached me and said, "The voicing was great, where is the other interpreter?" Wow, was I flattered! er situations. Having an agency was quite helpful in getting When I got the chance after a few years to be on a panelist jobs which were presented to me. of evaluators, I witnessed interpreters who lost their confidence and froze and missed everything that followed. I've I've also mentioned how a new interpreter needed to take on seen several people actually cry, and felt so sorry for them! so many different situations in order to gain experience and So building our confidence is important and if we screw up, grow as a professional freelancer. Being new to NYC, after we just have to be like actors on stage who lose their lines my military experience, it never occurred to me for almost and continue right on as if nothing was missed. a year that I could return to interpreting as a career and to make a living. In my experiences with voicing, there came opportunities for deaf presenters giving a speech and also some theater I did typesetting work for a year and passed by a well known stage work. There were a couple of deaf men who were a sort agency one day that had the word "Deaf" in the sign. My of comedy team and they wanted me to be their interpreter horizons were opened when I went in and asked if they needand save money from their budget. I changed my voice for ed sign language interpreters. When I happened to mention each of their characters in various skits they performed in that my parents were deaf, they said, "Oh, we need people sign language: a lower voice for one of them, and a higher who are proficient signers and can also 'voice' as a part of voice for the other. I had a microphone in front of me and the job." the audience just had a great time with these talented comeThe subject of testing for one's skills involves a lot of "look- dians! ing ahead!" In those days, one hoped to get the CSC (ComWhen the show was over, someone approached me and said, prehensive Skills Certificate). It was nerve-wracking for "The voicing was great, where is the other interpreter?" most of us and we had to learn to practice and just "move Wow, was I flattered! on" when we didn't understand or "get" what was on tape or video for us to sign or voice. I also did some talking books for the Blind and when I went up in the elevator to the floor where the studio was located, I recall doing the "voicing" test with a movie projector of a blind woman heard me say something to her. She said how a young female deaf person who was telling a story of her nice my voice sounded (I swear, she was almost swooning travels in Europe. I was doing fine until she came up with the over my voice!). Well, my answer to her was "thank you." sign for a country I never saw before! What a nerve I had to But inside my mind, I was sort of grateful that her complisay, "I traveled to Spain, France, etc., and then that country ment was of my voice and that she couldn't see the rest of sign that looked like (to me) "hungry bra!" I dared to say me! Awful of me to say so? that just to keep on moving along and not skip a beat and be blocked in my brain. I heard the panel of deaf and hearing Well, those of you readers who are interpreters know that "judges" laughing but went on with my voicing. people do care sometimes to take the trouble of letting you know how much they liked your interpreting. It is, indeed, The country with the sign for "hungry bra”? I discovered flattering. later that it was SWITZERLAND! One of the evaluators really was disturbed and wrote on my comments section of the After a theater show that I interpreted with a partner, someresults that I really shouldn't have done the voicing of "hun- one from the audience who was hearing came up to me and gry bra." Well, it looked like that to me! Guess back thenI said, "You sign so well!" I replied, "Oh, you know sign lan"shoulda" said "missed that" or "something" and move on guage?" That person said, "No!" It's our expressive faces (woulda, shoulda, coulda). that seem to make the difference! I've reached my allotment of space for this issue and wish you all a wonderful "Spring Yes, anyone who takes the test has to just get over their into Summer!" nerves and just continue on and on. To even say "something about such and such" and keep on going. This is preferable to freezing and missing out on the rest of the story being interpreted! www.rid.org

All you need to know to get started and pursue a career as a professional ASL Interpreter

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Food for Thought COLUMN The scenario: An agency sent me to the Emergency Room of a local hospital for a Deaf person with a stroke diagnosis. When I arrive the charge nurse told me the Deaf patient was from out of town, visiting for business reasons. While in their hotel room, the patient had had a stroke. The hotel management called 911 and they were brought to the hospital by ambulance. I interpreted all interactions and tests for a couple of hours then the hospital decided to admit the patient. Joe Sapienza, CI Missouri Joe is a freelance interpreter and interpreter mentor, working in St. Louis, Missouri, and the surrounding area. Joe has been interpreting professionally since 1986. He first began teaching sign language in area community schools; then later at an Interpreter Training Program. He has been an interpreter mentor since 1989, conducting individual and group classes and coordinates interpreting practice opportunities in the community.

The patient was informed there would be some wait time until a bed opened up. The patient wanted to make some phone calls to reach out to family, friends, and work as to their current situation. Unfortunately, the ambulance didn't transport anything but the patient - no clothes, cell phone,

etc. The Deaf client asked me to interpret some personal calls. While I realize I was there as an interpreter between the hospital staff and the client, there was nothing going to happen for a while so I figured I could certainly interpret the personal calls. I felt badly for the patient since they were basically alone in town without their cell phone. I ended up using my cell phone to make some calls for them. Was this right or wrong? A Deaf Person's Perspective: Oh gosh, I wonder if it’s the interpreter’s responsibility to contact people outside of the hospital. Anyway, first see if the Deaf client is well enough to remember the names and numbers of the people. It’s possible the Deaf client might not remember phone numbers because of the stroke. If the nurse is present, you can ask the nurse to check for a patient bag or a wallet or see if they have any numbers in the www.rid.org

patient's chart. Maybe they have some information from am- potentially violating HIPAA. A good course of action would bulance staff, or maybe use Google for the information? I have been to interpret between the patient and the hospital wonder if the nurse can make the calls? staff (nurse, doctor, representative) of the patient’s desire to make phone calls. The staff could then assist the patient If hospital policy allows the interpreter to make phone calls, within their capacity, while following all rules and protocols then check to see how much time is left with this client be- of the hospital. We should always remember we’re there to fore going to next job in schedule. If hospital doesn’t allow interpret—keeping the lines of communication clear—and making the calls, explain to Deaf client the reason. They ensure that advocacy is done with the knowledge of all parmight not be aware of what the interpreter’s responsibility ties involved. We should keep our involvement on a profesis, if any. Maybe they assume interpreters can do everything? sional level and not a personal one. A Hearing Doctor’s Perspective: A Hearing Interpreter’s Perspective: I believe the interpreter performed as expected in the hospital when they interpreted the tests and interactions with the staff. Upon arrival, I would assume the interpreter established some sort of relationship with the patient to make them feel comfortable; however, I’m not certain if it was right for the interpreter to make the personal calls or let the patient use their cell phone. While it was a very kind act, the interpreter was hired to relay information to and from the patient and not conduct personal business for the patient.

There is a lot going on here so I’m not sure a clear right or wrong pronouncement is appropriate. I can see how the interpreter would feel badly for the Deaf patient not being able to make personal calls. However, using a personal phone could cause several issues. It could lead to confusion as the interpreter and their information could be wrongfully assumed as related to the Deaf patient.

I’m curious about the logistics of this setting. Was the interpreter alone in the room with the patient before and during I think the interpreter was wrong. It is important to maintain the calls? Most agencies and hospitals have policies in this a professional relationship. S/he should have informed the regard. staff that these personal calls to family and business associates were requested by the patient, then interpret between If a hearing patient arrived under the same circumstances, the hospital and patient. That is, of course, the job for which would they have access to a phone in the ER? Wouldn’t they they were hired. ask a hospital staff person to make calls? I use these hearing patient/Deaf patient comparisons to help me with my deciA Deaf Interpreter’s Perspective: sion making. Regarding the question, I’m not comfortable with the in- It’s one thing if the patient asks the interpreter to make the terpreter’s actions. As the interpreter is contracted BY the calls but a very different story if the interpreter makes the hospital for interpretation work, there are potential legal offer. In the past, Deaf people often asked hearing people ramifications for the interpreter doing non-disclosed work to make phone calls for them so for this client it may seem a for the patient, especially if they did so without informing normal request. Also, since they just had a stroke, they may the hospital of their actions. While on assignment, using a not be thinking clearly on the interpreter’s role and just askpersonal cell phone to perform support work like this for the ing for help. Now, if it was the interpreter who offered, was it contracted company is never a good idea. While I don’t sup- an “I’m here to save the day” behavior? That is certainly not port the interpreter’s actions, the interpreter—as a contrac- needed and is definitely something to think about. tor for the hospital—should have at least used the hospital’s resources, i.e., their phones, to ensure continuity between I strongly think I would not use my personal phone. Howevthe patient, the care representatives, and the hospital. What er, with my interpreting experience, my connection to the would the interpreter do if and when the people that were Deaf community and without knowing all the variables I’ve contacted want to call back since they now have the inter- learned never to say “never.” Our on-the-job decisions have preter’s phone number? incredible effects that impact future situations in ways we may never realize. We are entrusted with various moments I would ask the interpreter a follow-up question of whether in people’s lives. It is our duty and honor to do our best at all they informed the hospital of their actions. The interpreter times and that is what our profession is about. inserted themselves into a medical communication situation, 26

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

MAKING GOOD MAKING GOOD INTERPRETERS NTERPRETERS

GREAT GREAT

Efficient screening cient screening tool plus your l plus your mentors equals ntors equals better allies for the ter allies for the community afDeaf community

get.goreact.com/RID to learn Visit Visit get.goreact.com/RID to learn more.more. www.rid.org

2021 RID National Conference July 8-12, 2021

"Re-Orienting" Join us from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you choose to be!

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! • Updates from the Board of Directors on their vision for the future of RID • Various Member Sections meetings! • One structured networking event and another you will not want to miss! • Six hours of business meetings. • Two panels with sister organizations. • Sponsors and exhibitors that make it all possible! You will not want to miss the RID 2021 National Conference, a virtual event! Register now! www.rid.org/2021-national-conference/ 28

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

* Official Schedule 2021 RID National Conference Schedule* 10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 8:30pm

10:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm

12:00pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 4:30pm 5:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 10:00pm

2:00pm 3:00pm 3:30pm 6:30pm 7:30pm 9:30pm

Thursday, July 8, 2021

Open Plenary Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Member Section Meeting and Education End for the day

Friday, July 9, 2021

Member Section Meeting and Education Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Sister Organization Panels End for the day

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Plenary Session Break Business Meeting Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Networking End for the day

Sunday, July 11, 2021 Plenary Session Break Business Meeting Break Council Panels End for the Day

Monday, July 12, 2021 11:30am 12:30pm 1:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm 6:30pm 8:00pm 8:30pm 10:00pm

Sister Organizations Panel Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Member Section Meeting and Education Break Closing Ceremony Break Networking End for the day

www.rid.org 29 *All times are in EDT. Schedule is subject to change at any time. *Schedule subject to change without notice. All times are in EDT.

The demand has never been greater! We are hiring on-site, in-person community interpreters and want you to join our skilled and passionate team. Interpreting positions are available in the U.S. and Canada. Apply today at www.scis.com/careers

INTERPRETING

Connecting Life

Come be a part of our on-site interpreting team!

Best Practices in Access: Hiring Qualified Interpreters Interpreters play an important role in facilitating effective communication for deaf and hearing people. Interpreters are frequently used in education, from kindergarten through college, graduate or trade school, and the workplace. A qualified interpreter with the right combination of qualifications and professional experience is better able to provide effective communication. Federal Definition The U.S. Department of Justice defines a qualified interpreter as “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.”1 When hiring an interpreter, institutions must consider many different factors, starting with the deaf person’s needs and preferences. NDC’s interactive process tools (nationaldeafcenter.org/iptools) provide sample questions and an interview checklist to ensure that the deaf person’s preferences are considered and understood. The deaf person should lead the discussion regarding interpreting accommodations, and their preferences should be honored wherever possible.

Considerations for Hiring Interpreters • Interpreters can be hired as independent contractors, through an agency, or in staff positions (part time, full •

time, or on a contract basis).2 Be aware that agencies that do not specialize in sign language interpretation may not be able to meet the needs of deaf people or specific interpreting situations. Interpreters can be scheduled in advance or for short-notice requests. To secure the most qualified interpreters and ensure consistency over the course of an assignment, it is best to book interpreters in advance.3 © 2021 National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes Licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International

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BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESS: HIRING QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS

• •

Remote interpreting options are useful when seeking an interpreter with specific skill sets or when an onsite interpreter is unavailable. Remote interpreting can also be a good fit for online courses or meetings.4 Remember that the process does not end once an interpreter is hired. Follow up with the deaf person throughout the assignment to ensure that the interpreter is providing consistent and effective services.

When deciding whether to hire an interpreter as an employee or to contract with a provider, look at the institution’s and the deaf person’s needs. Be sure to include all expenses for the budget, not just salary. Additional expenses may include travel, overtime, work outside of normal business hours, remote services, and fringe benefits like parking. Hourly estimates should include travel and prep time in addition to the time interpreting.2

Interpreter Search Tools

• • • •

Search the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf’s (RID) registry for individual interpreters5a and interpreting agencies.5b Also check with RID affiliate chapters for local referrals.5c Contact your state agency6 or local community organization supporting deaf people for information and referrals to interpreters. If your state requires interpreters to be licensed, the licensing entity may have a public search option to find licensed interpreters. Reach out to colleagues in your area, through professional listservs, and with disability advocacy agencies to request local contacts for interpreters.

Interpreter Qualifications and Credentials The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not mandate any specific credentials for working interpreters. However, some states and territories have minimum requirements for interpreters to work in specific settings (e.g., legal, medical, K–12 settings). To find out whether your state has specific regulations for interpreters check with the following:

• • •

The state office or agency that oversees professional licensing or registries The state office or agency that provides support services to deaf people6 RID’s state-by-state regulations for interpreters7

For states without minimum requirements, the following types of interpreter credentials can be used.

Education programs that prepare individuals to perform interpreting services are often called interpreter

training programs. Effective interpreting requires more than just fluency in a language. Interpreters may choose from many different types of training programs, including programs that result in academic degrees and professional training programs. Continuing education and training may be required to obtain and maintain certification and/or licensure.

Certification programs often have prerequisites that include training, education, knowledge, and an

interpretation skill exam. Interpreters holding certification are accountable to a Code of Professional Conduct8 and must complete ongoing continuing education to maintain their knowledge and skills. There are two commonly recognized certification bodies for sign language interpreters: RID9 and the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters.10 Each certification body has different prerequisites and levels of certification.

BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESS: HIRING QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS

Certified vs. Qualified The ADA does not mandate that a “certified” interpreter be employed, only a “qualified” interpreter. A certified interpreter still may not have the full range of skills and experience required for a certain job, and an interpreter who does not have a certification may be a better fit. This is especially true when considering a deaf interpreter, who may experience barriers to certification yet possess the skills necessary to interpret effectively.11

Licensure is a legal requirement that outlines minimum competencies to perform interpreting services in

a state. Licensure may require proof of education, certification, and/or an assessment. Many states offer a temporary or provisional license with restrictions on where an interpreter can work, based on their skill level. While licensing standards vary by state, hiring entities may go beyond licensure and employ interpreters who are licensed, certified, and have worked professionally for a number of years.

Assessments are screening tools used to evaluate interpreting skills. Unlike certification or licensure,

assessments do not require additional layers of accountability, such as training requirements. Some states may use interpreting assessments to minimally qualify a person to interpret. For example, many states require a minimum score on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment12 to interpret in K–12 settings for deaf children. In sum, a variety of measures are used to determine qualifications. When evaluating or hiring interpreters, look at all of these elements with the deaf person to find the best fit for the situation. Interpreters who can adapt their language use and maintain sensitivity to changing situations, consumers, and content are often the most effective, regardless of other qualifications.

Scheduling Interpreters Consider the deaf person, content, and setting for each assignment to help determine whether an interpreter has the experience, knowledge, and training to effectively interpret for the assignment. The following can guide your scheduling.

Deaf person’s language and communication style preferences. Who is the deaf consumer, and what kind of interpreting services did they request? Consult with the deaf person making the request and identify the type of communication access they need. Learn more about interpreters’ experience working with diverse deaf people and their ability to work with different cultural backgrounds and the range of communication access needs. Consider using a deaf interpreter11 when possible to improve access.

Nature and context of the assignment. Can the interpreter expressively and receptively interpret

the content? Interpreters must be able to match the differing language registers used across settings—for example, ranging from professional interviews to medical appointments or from high-level faculty meetings to one-on-one tutoring sessions. In some situations, an interpreter who is familiar with the specific content (e.g., engineering, linguistics) may be the most appropriate choice for providing effective communication.3

Interpreter availability. Is the interpreter available during the scheduled days and times for the assignment to provide consistent interpreting services? Interpreting assignments’ start and end times vary and may include evenings and weekends. Assignments may be one time (e.g., appointment, meeting) or ongoing (e.g., semester-long class, recurring faculty meetings). Some assignments require travel or are conducted remotely. Discuss the possibility of working outside of scheduled times for requests like meetings or study groups related to the assignment. © 2021 National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes Licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 International

www.rid.org

BEST PRACTICES IN ACCESS: HIRING QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS

Unique interpreting assignments such as theatrical performances require hours of preparation and interpreting for rehearsals and performances on various dates and times. To ensure consistent interpreting services, inquire about the interpreter’s availability and willingness to work during the specific timeframe, which may be outside of normal business hours. Planning ahead and understanding how to measure the best fit for qualified interpreters will save time and resources and will ensure effective communication! For more resources and information on using, hiring,and using, and understanding interpreters, NDC's For more resources and information on hiring, understanding interpreters, visit NDC’svisit interpreting interpreting topicnationaldeafcenter.org/interpreting page: nationaldeafcenter.org/interpreting topic page:

Additional Additional Resources Resources

1. 1. U.S. U.S.Department Departmentof ofJustice: Justice:ADA ADARequirements: Requirements:Effective EffectiveCommunication Communication ada.gov/effective-comm.htm ada.gov/effective-comm.htm 2. Developing DevelopingContracts Contractsand andRequesting RequestingBids: Bids: Interpreters Interpreters and and Speech-to-Text Speech-to-Text Providers Providers 2. nationaldeafcenter.org/contracts nationaldeafcenter.org/contracts 3. Best BestPractices PracticesininAccess: Access:Interpreter InterpreterConsistency Consistency 3. nationaldeafcenter.org/interpreter-consistency nationaldeafcenter.org/interpreter-consistency 4. Best BestPractices PracticesininAccess: Access:Video VideoRemote RemoteInterpreting Interpreting 4. nationaldeafcenter.org/vri nationaldeafcenter.org/vri

5. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID): 5. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID): Registry: myaccount.rid.org/Public/Search/Member.aspx a. a.Individual IndividualMember Members Registry: https://myaccount.rid.org/Public/Search/Member.aspx b. b.Interpreting InterpretingAgencies AgenciesRegistry: Registry:myaccount.rid.org/Public/Search/Interpreter.aspx https://myaccount.rid.org/Public/Search/Interpreter.aspx c. Affiliate Chapters: rid.org/membership/affiliate-chapters/affiliate-chapter-map c. Affiliate Chapters: rid.org/membership/affiliate-chapters/affiliate-chapter-map 6. National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: USA Roster 6. nasadhh.org/usa-roster National Association of State Agencies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: USA Roster nasadhh.org/usa-roster 7. for Interpreters Transliterators 7. RID: RID:State-by-State State-by-State Regulations Regulations for Interpreters and and Transliterators rid.org/advocacy-overview/state-information-and-advocacy rid.org/advocacy-overview/state-information-and-advocacy 8. Code of of Professional Professional Conduct Conduct 8. RID: RID:NAD-RID NAD-RID Code rid.org/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct rid.org/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct 9. 9. RID: RID:Certification CertificationOverview Overview rid.org/rid-certification-overview rid.org/rid-certification-overview 10. Boardfor forEvaluation EvaluationofofInterpreters: Interpreters:Certification CertificationProgram Program 10. Board hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/assistive-services-providers/board-evaluationhhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/assistive-services-providers/board-evaluation-interpreters-certification-program interpreters-certification-program 11. BestPractices PracticesininAccess: Access:Deaf DeafInterpreters Interpreters 11. Best nationaldeafcenter.org/deafinterpreters nationaldeafcenter.org/deafinterpreters

12. BoysTown TownNational NationalResearch ResearchHospital: Hospital:Educational EducationalInterpreter InterpreterPerformance PerformanceAssessment Assessment 12. Boys boystownhospital.org/professional-education/eipa boystownhospital.org/professional-education/eipa

NDC This document was developed under a jointly funded grant through the Office of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitation Services Administration, #H326D160001. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the federal government. Project Officer: Dr. Louise Tripoli. 34

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nationaldeafcenter.org

A Conversation: Stop Asian Hate By Jonathan Webb & Jason Farr

President Jonathan Webb, facilitator, writer, activist, educator, and mentor, started learning ASL in 1986 and began interpreting in 1993. Currently, Jonathan teaches at CSU-Northridge, serves as a freelance/IC interpreter, presides over Sign Enhancers Inc., and teaches/facilitates learning and practice in dialogic techniques in the context of social justice and consciousness development. Region I Representative Jason Farr, has previously served on the Board of the NYC Metro Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (NYCMetroRID) as Secretary, Vice President, and President. After working as support staff at Riverside California School for the Deaf, he currently is a freelance interpreter in NYC where he calls Brooklyn home. Jason is an advocate, and an ally for Deaf and Filipinx-Americans. www.rid.org

YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/AD3rHsnC90Y

RID

Region 1 Representative Jason Farr, and President who I am. So with the heightened attention it does raise the level Jonathan Webb sat down for a discussion about the of fear that we experience but I would say that I’m most concerned recent spotlight on Asian-American violence. for family members and friends. I wonder how often they’re seen as “foreigners” as opposed to Americans. Webb: Jason, thank you for joining me. It’s so good to see you today. As you stated however, none of this is really new, except for the recent shooting. I think we’re accustomed to experiencing racism Farr: Thank you for inviting me! I’m happy to have this conver- in a variety of ways but the shooting was a shock for us as it typicalsation. ly doesn’t show up in that manner. Certainly we deal with our fair Webb: First off, let me thank you for being part of the RID Board, share of marginalization, being mocked and ridiculed, but being especially given the societal unrest going on. Your representation shot isn’t the way that our communities have typically been targetis even more important right now. Given that, I wonder if you ed. In terms of work, I’ve noticed I’m being called more frequentcould talk a little bit about you, your identity, and your heritage? ly for Asian related contexts and content. Of course, people with my shared identity aren’t always prioritized for non-Asian specific Farr: I’m a hearing individual. I grew up in a Filipino home. My work which I think is a commonality amongst other marginalized mother is both Filipino and Cherokee, my father is European/ communities. So yes there’s definitely been an impact personally Italian. Essentially just ‘Indigenous’ being in the sentence with and professionally, and I guess I would say that for me, its about fear of safety for my friends, colleagues, and consumers. my mother instead of my father.

Of course, the violence in general has been a long-standing occurence here in the United States but it seems that people are finally becoming aware of what's been a lived reality for so many Asian Americans. Webb: I’ve traditionally signed what you just used that equates to Webb: Thank you for sharing that. What has the impact been on the spoken word Filipino (F-circular motion in front of face). Not the larger community? Are they organizing around these issues too long ago though, I was introduced to a variation that referenc- and if so, what does that look like? es the dominant shoulder. Can you tell me a little bit about that? Farr: It’s a great question. This idea of being Asian as a monolith Farr: I actually haven’t seen that shoulder-based sign for a while, is really a fallacy. I mean at the end of the day, half of the world’s but there are several different signs from the Philippines that are population is Asian given the American definition of that race. There’s a wide variety and diversity of countries, cultures, and actually references for provinces and not the nation itself. subsequent ethnicities that constitute the Asian-American identiWebb: Thanks for explaining that; that makes a lot of sense given ty. Some of the messaging that’s coming out from the community all of the linguistic variation that exists there. right now ranges from “do your very best to avoid trouble” to “if you’re being targeted then ask for help” -which is problematic --because it holds the appearance of being helpless. For me, the Webb: Society is becoming more aware of violence against those messages that resonate the most are from the community orgawith Asian ethnicity, whether the abuse comes in the form of ex- nizers that are encouraging all of the different APIMEDA (Asian, ploitation or in murder as we just recently experienced in Atlanta. Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American) groups and Of course, the violence in general has been a long-standing oc- subgroups to come together and be in solidarity. We’re being encurrence here in the United States but it seems that people are couraged to protect one another and speak up for one another. finally becoming aware of what’s been a lived reality for so many That notion of solidarity seems to be the biggest thematic mesAsian Americans. Given your identities and your awareness of the sage coming out from our communities right now. This of course abuse, I wonder how all of the heightened attention has impacted is not a new strategy. Calls for solidarity have often come out during our time in the United States when particular ethnicities you on a personal and professional level? are being targeted. Farr: I’ve definitely been impacted personally in a couple differ--ent ways. I currently live in NYC and there are times that I “pass” for a different race and yet others, of course, can quickly identify 36

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we serve. I guess another strong recommendation would be to identify the AAPI/APIMEDA people in your network and seek their guidance. It’s important to know that what someone might learn in an allyship based workshop around marginalization of Black peoples might be different than what you would be exposed Farr: At times like these it becomes clear that there are some al- to in the context of APIMEDA communities. Racism shows up for lies that know what it means to engage in allyship, while others different races in different ways. In the end, follow your curiosity don’t. I can only speak from my specific experience which is Fili- and allow that to guide you. pino. The Philippines were colonized by both Spain and the United States. Like unto the colonization and occupation of our lands, Webb: Thank you for sharing that perspective. Speaking of reallies will at times take over or occupy the narrative and that’s of sources, it appears RID’s CEC is going to be releasing a workcourse never helpful. We do expect allies to speak out, especially shop on Asian identities for free. when they’re witnessing racism. We need allies to show up and be there in those moments. I think its important that allies demon- Farr: That's great to hear that’s happening, I actually took that strate humility by asking what’s needed instead of just assuming, workshop out of my own curiosity and was able to learn quite a especially given the Asian-American identity is really constituted bit myself. Again, because there’s so many different cultures and identities within the Asian race, there’s a lot for all of us to learn. from a wide variety of cultures and ethnicities. Webb: Thank you for sharing that. I’m also curious as to what’s going on in terms of allyship? When I think of my community, allies can be helpful and/or harmful. What do you see right now in terms of allies to these communities?

Like unto the colonization and occupation of our lands, allies will at times take over or occupy the narrative and that's of course never helpful. We do expect allies to speak out, especially when they're witnessing racism. We need allies to show up and be there in those moments. I guess one thing that I would mention in particular is the yellow square icon that’s being used. I get that this is coming from a place of good intention but across social media we’re seeing this little yellow square as if it’s meant to support us. However, it does the very opposite. We don’t refer to ourselves as “yellow.” That notion of “yellow peoples” started in Germany a long time ago when there was an attempt to classify humans into racial categories. Of course, in that hierarchy white people were at the top, whereas Black individuals were on the bottom. Being “yellow” situated you somewhere in between. Because of that, the yellow square actually ends up serving as a symbol of racism as opposed to a symbol of allyship.

Webb: Thank you so much for sharing all of this with me and all of us today. Is there anything else you’d like to say before we wrap up? Farr: I would just end with racism looks different for each of us. Some of us may not experience physical or direct abuse but may instead be marginalized and shunned, but it’s all racism. And so I hope that all of us remember at the end of the day, people are people and we all need respect.

Webb: Yeah I too hope that we can do a better job at protecting one another and caring for each other -both our colleagues and our Deaf communities. People need to know that they’re not Webb: Yes, unfortunately we can see people who at times are alone and that they have others who will watch their back. That anxious to do something and make a difference but inadvertently through care, and love, and kindness we can stand in solidarity. cause harm. And that’s not an excuse to do nothing, but rather its a call to check-in and ensure that you’re really doing some- Farr: Thank you again for this conversation, I hope this informathing meaningful and helpful. In terms of allies and what your tion is helpful. communities need from them, are there any resources you might #StopAsianHate suggest? Farr: Honestly, I would say start with what you are most curious about. Expand your knowledge. We have a lot of AAPI (Asian-American Pacific Islander) who might be classified as social justice warriors. They’re out there leading the cause of equality for our colleagues, our consumers, and for the communities we serve. It’s important we recognize the cultures of the people www.rid.org

Congratulations

TO OUR AFFILIATE CHAPTERS CELEBRATING THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY! 38

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A Call to Action! By Jeffrey Wildenstein, CI and CT, NIC-Advanced

Jeff Wildenstein, is a freelance interpreter, presenter, and interpreter mentor graudated from Seattle Central's Interpreting Training Program in 1996 and spent the following two years obtaining a degree in English from the University of Washington. Jeff's newest course, Voicing: Strategies for Skill Growth is available from The Insightful Interpreter here https://insightfulinterpreter.teachable.com/courses. He is from Colorado, but having lived in Seattle since 1991, he considers the Northwest home. www.rid.org

YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/zBifgWIyDCk

ecently Guy Raz interviewed world championship tango dancer, Tim Ferriss about his watching video clips of himself dancing. Tim Ferris said, “The real question I was trying to answer and implement was how do you observe yourself? Because most of us are so wrapped up on our own experience that we can’t really deconstruct what went well or what went wrong. And there are some really simple fixes to that.”

based on the work we produce. To complex matters further, many if not most hearing people listening to our voice think we are doing a sign for word translation, rather than interpreting from disparate languages. Stephanie Feyne’s work on this topic with Deaf docents at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is compelling to say the least. Feyne concluded that “this, plus more data from my study, leads me to believe that the choices interpreters make affect hearing person’s percep-

Recording practice samples of your interpreting, ASL to English or English to ASL, will undoubtedly broaden your Today more than ever, Deaf people are in horizons offering a range of perceptions you may have never positions of leadership; teachers, doctors, known about your work. While interpreting, there are already so many balls in the air, adding an analytical component would, scientists, and, yes, managers. at best, send the juggle to the floor, and, at worse, leave you distrustful of your work and develop self doubts that affect -Howard Rosenblum, NAD CEO your process going forward. However, when analyzing recorded practice samples, I find not only simple fixes to some of my patterns (production errors, bad habits), I also see things I like tion of the identity of the Deaf lecturer.” With great power and want to continue doing. comes great responsibility to ensure accuracy that lends itself Now, my suggestion of recording our work in order to build to an appropriate perception of the level of knowledge, professkill is not a new approach, but when was the last time you did sionalism, and expertise the Deaf person is imparting. In short, it? When was the last time you practiced interpreting? How we owe this practice work to our clients, to our colleagues with long ago was your ITP? I’m not talking about on the job prac- whom we will team and support, to our profession, and to ourtice, but practice practice. And why go through the trouble of selves. recording our practice samples anyway? When we signed up to be interpreters, we vowed to be a consummate student; ever growing our knowledge, ever growing our skill. Yet, upon recently interviewing several Deaf professionals in preparation of a course I created with The Insightful Interpreter, “Voicing: Strategies for Skill Growth,” all of these professionals expressed frustration with the limited number of interpreters at the skill level needed, especially for voicing.

But what does this “work” entail? Let’s start with reading as a means of building empathy and emotional intelligence. Yes, you read that right, reading. “When we read a piece of fiction ‘closely,’ we activate regions of the brain that are aligned to what the characters are both feeling and doing,” according to Maryanne Wolf of Tufts University, Childhood Development and Reading Specialist. “It allows us to try on for a few moments, what it truly means to be another person.” And what is it we are doing when interpreting if not conveying the source message faithfully and accurately with empathy and emotion? Reading aloud a piece of fiction with two or more characters in such a way as to bring it to life while recording allows us to take the first steps of practice sample analysis. We get used to listening to our voice. We catch areas of confidence and areas of self-doubt simply by listening to when it was easy and when was it hard to hear.

Traditionally, we hearing interpreters mostly worked from English to ASL, especially starting out. Our opportunities for voicing were scarce. But as Deaf people are increasingly take their seat at the table, share their diverse perspectives, and climb the ranks—the dynamics are changing. Deaf people are increasingly becoming the disseminators of information; supervisors, teachers, doctors, and leaders with hearing subordinates. What a great problem to have. But are we interpreters keeping up with the needed skill? After recording a voicing practice sample (I prefer vlogs from “Today more than ever, Deaf people are in positions of lead- Deaf presenters), I think it’s a good idea to leave it for a time. ership; teachers, doctors, scientists, and, yes, managers.” — Maybe save it for a few weeks and when you have forgotten what in that moment, was going through your head, then you Howard Rosenblum, CEO, NAD can take a fresh perspective on the work. Then you will have We cannot discount the great power we have as interpreters a gem of a recording to learn from. I argue that just by being voicing for our Deaf clients. Perceptions of the credibility, present and listening at least three times, you will learn a lot trustworthiness, and dependability of our Deaf clients are about things you are doing well, identify times when you are in 40

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Let's start with reading as a means of building empathy and emotional intelligence. Yes, you read that right, reading. "When we read a piece of fiction 'closely,' we activate regions of the brain that are aligned to what the characters are both feeling and doing." right in your process, you solidify their use going forward. You will also notice things that, just by recognizing them, you will learn to change. Remember, hearing people think that every “um,” “uh,” or “hmm…” is coming from the Deaf client, not the interpreter buying time for cognitive processing. There are deeper analytical questions that can guide you further into areas of discourse, register, and prosody as well. And that’s even before you share this with a trusted colleague or mentor for a fresh perspective. I also recommend that you periodically share samples with friends who don’t know ASL or anything about Deaf culture and ask them questions like: What do you think of the presenter? Credible? Knows a lot about the subject? If not, why?

References Ahmad, W, Darr, A, Jones, L & Nisar, G (1998). ‘Deaf people from miFerris, Tim. 2020. “The Tim Ferriss Show Transcripts: Guy Raz Interviews Tim Ferriss — How I Built This — Key Lessons, Critical Decisions, and Reinvention for Fun and Profit (#489).” The Tim Ferris Show, blog, December 30, 2020. https://tim.blog/2020/12/30/guy-razinterviews-tim-ferriss-how-i-built-this-transcript. Feyne, Stephanie. 2013. “Authenticity: The Impact of a Sign Language Interpreter’s Choices.” Street Leverage, August 28, 2013. https:// streetleverage.com/live_presentations/stephanie-feyne-authenticity-the-impact-of-a-sign-language-interpreters-choices. Wolf, Maryanne. 2018. Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World. New York: HarperCollins.

Really, once you start recording your own voicing practice samples the sky is the limit and soon new horizons are within your sight.

www.rid.org

Affiliate Chapter Corner

How Virginia RID Successfully Hosted a Virtual Conference By Carrie Humphrey & Dr. Carolyn Ball COLUMN Dr. Carolyn Ball CI and CT, NIC RID Affiliate Chapter Liaison Carolyn has served on several national boards and loves to be involved in the Deaf Community. She enjoys researching the history of interpreters and interpreter educators and how to become effective leaders. In her free time Carolyn enjoys hiking, biking and spending time with her family.

Carrie Humphrey, NIC Richmond, VA VRID Vice President Since 2009, Carrie has served the on the board of the Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in different capacities and currently holds a seat on the Virginia Department of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Advisory Board. 42

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First, I want to thank Carrie Humphrey, VP of VRID for taking the time to talk with me and to help other AC’s feel confident that they can host a virtual conference successfully. Ultimately, the themes documented in this discussion between Carrie Humphrey & Carolyn Ball can be a great resource for other AC’s that wish to establish a virtual conference. PLANNING What was the timeline of the whole conference? We planned it to last six months, but it ended up being seven because we had some presenters who were either sick or moving or a conflict of scheduling. Some presenters were scheduled so far out that when the day of their workshop came they had a conflict with work and so we did have to do some last-minute rearranging of the schedule. We tried to stay flexible because everyone’s life was chaotic in 2020. We were supposed to end on November 21st, but we had a second run of a CDI workshop that had filled up with a waiting list in August. We ran it again in December on the fifth and one of our presenters who wasn’t available for previous sessions presented two back-to-back workshops on December 12th. What day of the week did you host your workshops? How long were they? Six CEUs were offered each Saturday. Either as two 3-hour workshops or a 6-hour workshop with a 1-hour break. We offered the workshops every other Saturday.

How was it to delegate responsibilities, how did you keep track? That’s hard, because this whole process was new. We didn’t have a standard system to do things, which makes it hard to delegate tasks. It is important to have communication and work well as a team. Google Suites helped a lot with organization and communication. How did you know what topics to use for workshops? We already had a list of topics that people would be interested in for trainings from previous conferences and previous needs assessments in our area. That’s what we used when looking for topics for things. And we’ve tried to make sure that we had people of color, that we had legal CEUs, just a variety for people. When we sent out the call for presenters, we noted that we wanted to have 40 hours of training for DIs to meet the requirements to sit for the CDI test. When selecting workshops, we picked those that would benefit Deaf and Hearing interpreters. How far in advance should you plan for a workshop? The AC handbook has a timeline actually, we were behind that. We didn’t start until, I think we had a save-the-date in October for the June one which is cutting it close. And then we signed the contract with the hotel, and then in January I believe we were starting to advertise where we were and all that got put on hold and changed. But conferences normally announce eighteen months in advance if you're going to have a huge conference. Any conferences at least a year. BUDGET Were you able to make a profit from your workshops? Yes, we did, it ended up being around fifteen thousand. What do you recommend other AC’s to use their profits on? It really depends on what their local community’s needs are. We’ve been contacted by some of our community asking for support in some social justice fundraising and so we’re looking to provide free training and webinars to our community for how do you do that, how do you set up a nonprofit focused on these things. We’re in the field of education, so we can provide training based on what our community needs. And that's not just the interpreting community but our Deaf community needs as well. Did you have a budget? We had a budget from the beginning. We kept track meticulously of where funds were going and sponsorships and what not. We really had to be creative with how we were going to recognize our sponsors because we didn’t have a vendor alley with tables set up

at a conference and our conference book. SPONSORS How did you get sponsors? We started out at a face-to-face conference and we already had sponsors. Then when COVID hit we reached out to them and asked if we went online and we did six months, would you be willing to maintain your sponsorship at any level? They all said keep us where we are, which is fantastic. How did you recognize your sponsors? We made a flyer that had the sponsors’ logo at the bottom and during each workshop, the presenters are given the same “thank you to our sponsors” slide and that was shown during any breaks, lunches, all of that. When I did the introduction of the presenter I made sure to thank the sponsors when they closed at the end and I told them about how to get their CEUs and feedback and what not. Thanked the sponsors again. And then each sponsor had a different month that the VRID Facebook page would post “thanks to our corporatesponsors, we really want to send a shout out to this sponsor this month,” and then we’d share that with the same groups that we’d share the workshop advertisements with. ADVERTISING How did you make professional flyers? I do not have visual graphic software design skills. I use an online program called CANVA, to do all of our workshop flyers. You can sign up for a free thirty-day trial. We, Karen and I, did all of the flyers for our conference, on-site conference, within those thirty days, and thought let's cancel this and be done. Well, then we had to go back and keep changing them, so we got charged for a couple months for that. It’s eleven or twelve dollars a month. And then once we were able to have everything kind of set, then we unregistered from the paid account but still had access to our flier and we could still go in and manipulate whatever we wanted, but every time I downloaded something it was a dollar. That still wasn’t a huge conference expense and being able to have one location really helped make visual organizing and graphics nice. I was able to make a flier template and copy the template over so the visual, where we had the sponsors on each slide, stayed the same. Same with the bottom section about contacting us for accommodations and the number of CEUs stayed the same. We were able to use the same template which was nice. www.rid.org

When I did the introduction of the presenter I made sure to thank the sponsors when they closed

REGISTRATION

How much did you charge for... Did you charge individually for each conference or just the whole package? We had the early bird break, which expired before COVID hit, but that was going to be for three days on site it was $375. And then the fourth day as a pre-conference was fifty dollars. Then when we spread it out as an online, we were past the early bird time and it was $425 for the entire thing. It ended up being a better deal because if you had come on-site, you could've gotten 3.1 CEUs for those days. As an online conference it was 6.0. We had already planned 3 pre-conference webinars prior to summer to get to that 4.0 target. We wanted to support those forty hours that Deaf interpreters would need to be able to take the CDI test. We knew that the test was opening up and they had six months to take the test before they had to have a bachelor's degree so that was one of our big pushes. Then, when COVID hit we were able to keep our online stuff that we had already planned out before, but those four days on-site weren’t going to happen. There were several concurrent workshops during those days as conferences normally have. We spread them all out so our participants who paid for the conference as a whole didn’t pay more but, instead of having a max of 4.0 CEUs, they had 6.0 CEUs. It increased what they could get by fifty percent if they came to all of the trainings. For each of those workshops we also had individual registration open. So how did you do the registration? Did you use like a... like event... is it Eventbrite? Our Affiliate Chapter website can handle registrations. We use Wild Apricot. They’re not my favorite for many things, but for the conferences and workshops we can manage registration for online and onsite workshops. We have people register online so we can track who’s there. We can accept payment through the website, which is convenient. Does it cost to use it? How much do? Yes. I’m not one hundred percent sure, I think one hundred and something a month? And that’s where the VRID website is hosted anyways. Other AC’s use the same platform, FRID and GARID. So, the website tracks our membership, renewals, dues, any distribution that we have through VRID comes through our website and web email. 44

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How did you determine how much to charge for the workshops?

Our general rule of thumb, conference or not, is that we pay presenters one hundred dollars per hour, and we charge ten dollars per hour to participants. It’s really easy to do math by tens if we get ten registrants and we’ve paid our presenter. Some peoplenegotiated higher, which is fine because it was very specialized content. And typically, if it’s not a huge conference, then our membership gets a discount of ten or fifteen dollars off of a six-hour workshop. For example, if it’s a six-hour workshop, then member’s cost is fifty dollars instead of sixty. We have a student rate and a Deaf rate that was just over half of the general rate. That applied to the overall conference registration and for individual workshops. Students and Deaf individuals had a discounted rate compared to hearing participants. How did you collect fees for your workshop? Our website can accept payments for registrations. If someone sent a check, our treasurer is the one who tracked that. She regularly checked our PO Box and would manually mark a participant as paid. As far as sponsorships, we would let her know we were expecting a sponsorship check, as well as the estimated amount, and then she would let us know when the check arrived or the PayPal went through. She is also the person that handled the payment of the presenters. As people sent invoices, we already had W2’s as part of our contract. The contract required presenters to send back the instructor form for RID and their W2. I saved all the W2s in our secure Google drive. The treasurer, president, and vice president have access to the Google drive. I would forward an invoice along and check to verify there was a W2 in the drive. WORKSHOPS Did you have specific workshops for Deaf Interpreters? Yes, it was a code of ethics workshop discussing different tenets and they just wanted the space to do that without having influence from other people. That Saturday we ran a concurrent workshop and both were all-day trainings. Conference participants who were Deaf could choose one they wanted to do and then the waitlist filled up for the Deaf one, so we ran it again in December. We did not charge registration fees for either of the two Deaf only workshops. Who Signed up for your Workshops?

We had people from Virginia, North Carolina, California, and everywhere in between, depending on the topic. Most of our conference participants were Region 2 people. One or two were further in California, but the individual workshops had registrants from all over. How did you advertise for your Workshops? We did Facebook and we put it on the Region 2 website. We asked RID to send it out as well. That was when we were doing early bird before COVID hit. So, then COVID hit and we changed the format and we asked them to change the RID region 2 website to show the conference was online. We didn’t ask for another distribution to the membership, but we really posted on Facebook and the VRID site and then shared to a lot of other sites.

ogy issue within the Virginia Community College system. I could then submit a ticket stating it was urgent saying “Hey, we’ve got a workshop happening we need this fixed now.” That didn’t happen, but it was nice to have it available. Did you have IT support? That was me. I met with presenters beforehand, a day or two beforehand every two weeks, to make sure that they were comfortable with Zoom, to go through how to share screens, some presenters were very familiar with zoom and some were not.

There are people who were fantastic presenters, but technology was really going to be an extra demand for them, so a couple presenters would send me their slides and then I would share screen and I run the slides, monitor the chat, etc. At the beginning of all For each workshop we also posted the flyer a couple days before the workshops, I would do the introduction and give a brief tutothe workshop on our website and the link to register and sent that rial to participants, “If you’re new to zoom this is how this works out to all... to lots of different places as well to different groups on and this is speaker view versus gallery view and this is side by side” Facebook. and all of that. We had the overall conference advertisement we did in the beginning but we were also heavily pushing advertising, making people aware every two weeks we were going through, and putting the picture of the flyer, the description, and the link to register online. We would always have at least ten people who would sign up within just a couple days; maybe five to ten people who would sign up within a couple days of the workshop running, because they saw that. How many workshops did you have? We had twenty-seven I think conference participants. And then each workshop had between ten and thirty participants show up. Of the conference participants, some people would come every time and some people I hardly saw and others attended workshops regularly. For each individual workshop, the number of people who logged in was somewhere between ten and thirty. PLATFORM USED What platform did you use for the workshops? We used ZOOM. We worked with our local Interpreter Training Program at Reynolds Community College. Each student and each teacher has their own Zoom account under the college. I approached Reynolds to become our technology streaming sponsor, which means that we could use our Zoom accounts. Several of us worked for the college. If we had two workshops at once... because there was one that was Deaf only if we had two workshops at once, then we used two different Zoom accounts.

I told people if they had issues, technology issues, and they couldn’t see somebody or they needed help, to do a private chat to me in Zoom. I did the “back of the house” stuff. Did you have many complaints about using the platform ZOOM? We didn’t see any complaints about not being accessible. There was one workshop that the presenter needed to present in English, so we brought in interpreters for that one and made sure to spotlight the interpreters so that people could see. Did you help presenters with how to use ZOOM? Many were already interpreting on Zoom or were educators, and so they were used to presenting in online format. Everybody has become a little bit more techno savvy with zooming and going to meetings over the past months. There were a couple people who were less comfortable, but I think that the workshops were still successful. CEUs & EVALUATIONS How did you run your CEUs? Do you have your own CMP sponsor? VRID has a CMP person, Elaine Hernandez. She’s glorious. She’s been very patient with me as we’ve been changing things and last-minute changes and all of that. Because the conference was so fluid, I sent the workshop descriptions and CMP forms the month before for each workshop. In April, when we changed all of the conference due to COVID, we rescheduled everybody.

The college was able to offer an in-kind sponsorship, which didn’t Not all of the presenters were able to send the paperwork by that affect them that much, except if there was some kind of a technol- time. We were able to book them and know the workshop topic so we were able to get the revised schedule out, but the back-end www.rid.org

paperwork sometimes took some following up to be able to get that together. And then each month I would send the paperwork for the next month’s presentations. How did you handle the workshop evaluations? Paperwork for CEUs. That's hard to do. A couple years ago I created a Google form that had all the questions for an evaluation. I had gotten really tired of sitting down with papers and counting how many people had marked certain things to make a summary of the evaluations. I can now copy and paste the results from a Google form into a Word document and have a summary of evaluations to send to the presenter and to RID. We weren’t going to be in a space to collect everyone's RID information, so I added a question at the bottom of the form that was a text box for people to put their name, city, state, and RID number. The questions were not set to have required answers. If somebody didn’t mind putting all their evaluation stuff and then their RID stuff on the same form, they could do that. If people were a little bit concerned and they wanted their feedback to be anonymous, then you could fill out the form once for evaluation and send it in, open it up, fill it out again, and just put your RID information and send it in again.

VRID

Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

2020 ASL Interpreter Conference

I could see the summary page from a Google form and copy and paste that data for the evaluation. Then, I actually opened up the spreadsheet and went to the last column to copy and paste information for RID information for the ARF and CEU processing. LESSONS LEARNED If you did the workshops over again, what would you do different? I’d need more people to help and be able to delegate more. It would be really nice to have videos from our sponsors to put on Facebook, not just photos for print. All I had was their sponsorship photo that was intended to go in a conference book. We didn’t have any video advertisement available from our sponsors. That would have been really nice. More participation from our local Deaf organization. Everybody was up to their ears just surviving 2020. For future things, if we decide to do an online conference again, it would be nice to have more partners. We were able to hit while the iron was hot. If we were doing an online conference again I would definitely put more effort into bridging that relationship to the sponsor and figure out how to reach the Deaf communities across the country to let them know about the trainings.

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

Reflect, Connect, Grow

Yiqiao Wang Conference Logo Artist

Yi is an illustrator who has a unique approach to her work. Often starting from sketches, Yi uses beautiful and vivid colors to express her interpretations of the artwork. Vibrant colors and utilizing the beautify of nature greatly define her unique and experimental style. Yi designed RID's 2019 conference logo as well, and is thrilled for the opportunity to contribute her beautiful work again!

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: yiil i Y t c a Cont

n36 o i t a r t ius

ail.c m g @ ys

www.rid.org

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS Visit www.rid.org/listings/browse-listings/328/job-listings/ to search open interpreting and Deaf community jobs in your area! Contact advertising@rid.org to post your listings with us today!

Call for Deaf EPS Mediators! Mediator Application: https://rid.org/ethics-eps-mediator-application/

EPS and ETHICS Statement: https://rid.org/eps-ethics-statement/

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

APPLY NOW!

National Interpreter Certification Certification awarded between 02/16/2021- 05/12/2021

Region I - Northeast

Rebecca L Pearce

D Andra R. Parsons

Stephanie Pope

Jose Francisco Peralez

Gina Francesca Piersanti Gioe NY

Caleb Andrew Randolph

Erica Stricklin

Adrienne N Howard

Fidel DeJesus Torres

Noelle Spinale Lobo

Rachel Willard

Region V - Pacific

Lauren Welch Mullahey

Katie Elizabeth Williams

Alexis Jasmine Alvarez

Laurie E Rappa

Sophie Yesuneh

Aisha Simpson

Orel Ochoa Barajas

Caitlyn Smith

Anthony Bonny

Luke Baer

Region II - Southeast Sharnice Cator

Cecilia Epps

Kelly Forsgren

Susan Galdieri

Matthew Hammrich

Tyson Jennette

Sarah Knight

Kimberly Selby Lippincott

Luciana Magnoli

Leah A Mercado

Meghan Michels

Jessica Parker Moss

Region III - Midwest Tera L Briggs

Jeanelle Allayna Davis

Janna Ruth Chadwell

Shaunie Dennison

Ethan M Cross

Douglas Michael Drees

Tamatha A Elmer

Jacob Hogan

Katie Estes

Kathi Koch

Jacquelyn Lacey Larant

Sara Mercil

Jonathan Rene Parada

Emily Evans Nussbaum

Megan Rose Pettibone

Anna Ruble

Andrew Pidkameny

Crystal Eve Stewart

William Pugin

Catherine Lynn Pyne

Alyssa Mae Salley

Region IV - Central Santana T Chavez

Robert Loeffler

Sheridan Katherine Whitworth WA

FY 2021 Certification Reinstatements and Revocations

Below, please find a link to a page on our website that lists individuals whose certifications have been revoked due to non-compliance with the Certification Maintenance Program or by reasons stated in the RID PPM. The Certification Maintenance Program requirements are as follows: • Maintain current RID membership by paying annual RID Certified Member dues • Meet the CEU requirements: m CMP CEU Requirements: w 8.0 Total CEUs with at least 6.0 in PS CEUs w (up to 2.0 GS CEUs may be applied toward the requirement) w SC:L’s only–2.0 of the 6.0 PS CEUs must be in legal interpreting topics w SC:PA’s only–2.0 of the 6.0 PS CEUs must be in performing arts topics • Follow the RID Code of Professional Conduct If an individual appears on the list, it means that their consumers may no longer be protected by the Ethical Practices System, should an issue arise. This list is available on the RID website and can be accessed by the community at large. The published list is a “live” list, meaning that it will be updated as needed if a certification is reinstated or revoked. To view the revocation list, please visit the link HERE. 49 reShould a member lose certification due to failure to comply with CEU requirements or failure to pay membership dues,www.rid.org you may submit a reinstatement quest. The reinstatement form and policies are outlined HERE.

VIEWS

Vision: VIEWS, RID’s digital publication, is dedicated to the interpreting profession. As a part of RID’s strategic goals, we focus on providing interpreters with the educational tools they need to excel at their profession. VIEWS is about inspiring, or even instigating, thoughtful discussions among practitioners. With the establishment of the VIEWS Board of Editors, the featured content in this publication is peer-reviewed and standardized according to our bilingual review process. VIEWS is on the leading edge of bilingual publications for English and ASL. In this way, VIEWS helps to bridge the gap between interpreters and clients and facilitate equality of language. This publication represents a rich history of knowledge-sharing in an extremely diverse profession. As an organization, we value the experiences and expertise of interpreters from every cultural, linguistic, and educational background. VIEWS seeks to provide information to researchers and stakeholders about these specialty fields and groups in the interpreting profession. We aim to explore the interpreter’s role within this demanding social and political environment by promoting content with complex layers of experience and meaning. While we publish updates on our website and social media platforms, unique information from the following areas can only be found in VIEWS: • • • • • • •

Both research- and peer-based articles/columns Interpreting skill-building and continuing education opportunities Local, national, and international interpreting news Reports on the Certification Program RID committee and Member Sections news New publications available from RID Press News and highlights from RID Headquarters Submissions: VIEWS publishes articles on matters of interest and concern to the membership. Submissions that are essentially interpersonal exchanges, editorials or statements of opinion are not appropriate as articles and may remain unpublished, run as a letter to the editor or as a position paper. Submissions that are simply the description of programs and services in the community with no discussion may also be redirected to a more archival platform on the website. Articles should be 1,800 words or fewer. Unsigned articles will not be published. Please contact the editor of VIEWS if you require more space. RID reserves the right to limit the quantity and frequency of articles published in VIEWS written by a single author(s). Receipt by RID of a submission does not guarantee its publication. RID reserves the right to edit, excerpt or refuse to publish any submission. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute RID’s endorsement or approval of the advertiser, nor does RID guarantee the accuracy of information given in an advertisement. Advertising specifications can be found at www.rid.org, or by contacting the editor. All editorial, advertising, submission and permission inquiries should be directed to (703) 838-0030, (703) 838-0454 fax, or publications@rid.org. Copyright: VIEWS is published quarterly by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the opinion of RID. The author(s), not RID, is responsible for the content of submissions published in VIEWS. Statement of Ownership: VIEWS (ISSN 0277-1088) is published quarterly by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. Periodical postage paid in Stone Mountain, GA and other mailing offices by The Sauers Group, Inc. Materials may not be reproduced or reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact views@rid.org for permission inquiries and requests. VIEWS electronic subscription is a membership benefit and is covered in the cost of RID membership dues. Single issues of print VIEWS are available to members or nonmembers for $9.00 VIEWS Board of Editors Kelly Brakenhoff, NIC Royce Carpenter, MA, NIC Master Jami Macdonald, Associate Member Amy Parsons, Associate Member Carla Morris, PhD, Editor-in-Chief © 2021 the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. All rights reserved. 50

VIEWS Volume 2 • Issue 38

MISSION The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf strives to advocate for best practices in interpreting, professional development for practitioners and for the highest standards in the provision of interpreting services for diverse users of languages that are signed or spoken. VISION By honoring its past and innovating for the future, RID envisions a world where: • Its members recognize and support the linguistic rights of all Deaf people as human rights, equal to those of users of spoken languages; • Deaf people and their values are vital to and visible in every aspect of RID; • Interpreted interaction between individuals who use signed and spoken languages are as viable as direct communication; • The interpreting profession is formally recognized and is advanced by rigorous professional development, standards of conduct, and credentials. DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) understands the necessity of multicultural awareness and sensitivity. Therefore, as an organization, we are committed to diversity both within the organization and within the profession of sign language interpreting. Our commitment to diversity reflects and stems from our understanding of present and future needs of both our organization and the profession. We recognize that in order to provide the best service as the national certifying body among signed and spoken language interpreters, we must draw from the widest variety of society with regards to diversity in order to provide support, equality of treatment, and respect among interpreters within the RID organization. Therefore, RID defines diversity as differences which are appreciated, sought, and shaped in the form of the following categories: gender identity or expression, racial identity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, deaf or hard of hearing status, disability status, age, geographic locale (rural vs. urban), sign language interpreting experience, certification status and level, and language bases (e.g. those who are native to or have acquired ASL and English, those who utilize a signed system, among those using spoken or signed languages) within both the profession of sign language interpreting and the RID organization. To that end, we strive for diversity in every area of RID and its Headquarters. We know that the differences that exist among people represent a 21st century population and provide for innumerable resources within the sign language interpreting field. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. 333 Commerce Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314 (703) 838-0030 V / (571) 257-3957