1. How do I explain that it is offensive to say “hearing impaired”?

This term is no longer accepted by most in the community but was at one time preferred, largely because it was viewed as politically correct.  To declare oneself or another person as deaf or blind, for example, was considered somewhat bold, rude, or impolite.  At that time, it was thought better to use the word “impaired” along with “visually,” “hearing,” “mobility,” and so on.  “Hearing-impaired” was a well-meaning term that is not accepted or used by many deaf and hard of hearing people.

 

For many people, the words “deaf” and “hard of hearing” are not negative.  Instead, the term “hearing-impaired” is viewed as negative.  The term focuses on what people can’t do.  It establishes the standard as “hearing” and anything different as “impaired,” or substandard, hindered, or damaged.  It implies that something is not as it should be and ought to be fixed if possible.  To be fair, this is probably not what people intended to convey by the term “hearing impaired.”

 

Quoted by National Association of the Deaf. To see full link: https://www.nad.org/resources/american-sign-language/community-and-culture-frequently-asked-questions/

 

2. I have a court date and I need an interpreter. What do I need to do?

Contact Mrs. Brooks Bogue, Manager at the Office of Language Access Services
(North Carolina Judicial Branch) at: brooke.bogue@aoc.nccourts.org

 

If you have a hearing in family court (ex: child custody, divorce) or a trial in criminal court, do ASK for a SC:L interpreter. SC:L means the interpreter has a specialist certificate in LEGAL interpreting.

 

All requests for sign language interpreters or other ADA accommodations should be sent to the Disability Access Coordinator for the county where the case is set to be heard. You will find a link to the statewide Disability Access Coordinator spreadsheet on this webpage:  https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/disability-and-special-needs/disability-access

 

3. Child Protective Services came to my house and brought a non-licensed interpreter! What was I supposed to do?

STOP. Do NOT proceed with the CPS investigation or undergo the forensic interview. Do NOT react. Do NOT attempt to "voice" as this creates confusion for them (if you can voice, they tend to assume that you should be able to understand them by "lip reading"). Do NOT walk out on them. This will appear as if you are refusing to cooperate.

 

WRITE: "I need a FULL-Licensed Interpreter. NC DSDHH has a sign language interpreter directory."
This can be found at:

 https://www.ncdhhs.gov/documents/sign-language-interpretertransliterator-directory

 

Again, do NOT answer any questions. Protect yourself and your family by using a FULL-Licensed interpreter.

 

4. How do I explain that they cannot use their staff to interpret?

We get emails about this all the time! :)

 

Referring to Tenet 3 in RID's Code of Professional Conduct: Illustrative Behavior 3.3  “Avoid performing dual or conflicting roles in multidisciplinary (e.g. educational or mental health teams) or other settings."

 

For example:

 

Your local DSS has a receptionist who can sign. The receptionist may directly ask you questions about the purpose of your visit. However, she can NOT "interpret" for you when you meet with a caseworker.

 

 Why not? Because this is a role conflict (a violation of RID's Code of Professional Conduct  tenet 3.3) as the receptionist would be performing "dual roles".  Also, the receptionist is NOT  licensed to interpret.

 

 

More examples:

 

"My supervisor is a licensed interpreter. She can interpret for me during staff meetings, right?"

 

 No. This is a role conflict.

 

 

"I had a meeting with the regional manager (under NC DSDHH). She is deaf. I had to go to court the following week and the regional manager was there. She was my Deaf Interpreter. It was somewhat weird but this is ok, right?"

 

 Absolutely not. This is a role conflict.

 

 

"I took my daughter in for her annual shots. The nurse could sign! How neat. She even interpreted for the doctor!"

 

 Again, this is a role conflict. As long as the communication is effective, the nurse may  communicate with you directly in sign language. But she can NOT interpret for the doctor  because she is NOT a licensed interpreter.

 

 

"I work at a school for the Deaf. I always feel that it is awkward that our "school interpreter" interprets at staff meetings."

 

 So awkward! Because the "school interpreter" is your co-worker, it is a role conflict. "School  interpreters" are for students. You, as a staff, should be using a FULL-Licensed Interpreter.  School interpreters with 3.0 EIPA score interpret only 60% of the information.

 

(Click) PDF Attached. Please download "RID's Multiple Roles In Interpreting"

 

5. What's the best way to explain to the principal that they can NOT use a "school interpreter" for me as I am an adult, not a student?

Sharing one of my all-time favorite analogies! Feel free to borrow.

Our NCAD President Blevins who once explained to an educator the difference between a “school interpreter” and a Licensed Interpreter:

________________________________________________________________________________

Principal: Why can’t we use a school interpreter for you?

Craig: "School interpreters" are for students. I am not a student. I am an adult. I use Licensed Interpreters.

Principal: I don’t understand…?

Craig: Hold that thought. Let me ask you this. You drive a car, right?

Principal: (nodding)

Craig: Because you have a driver’s license, yes?

Principal: (nodding)

Craig: How about vans? School buses?

Principal: (shaking head) No, I would need a school bus driver’s certificate.

Craig: But you already have a driver’s license. I don’t understand.

Principal: (laughing)

Craig: Ok, how about a 18-wheeler truck?

Principal: No, I can’t. (shaking head)

Craig: Why not? You already have a driver’s license. I don’t understand.

Principal: (laughing) No, I would have to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive heavy trucks.

Craig: (smiling) See where I’m going with this? Driver’s License Class A is for… Class B is for.. C is for..

Principal: Ah…I see what you’re saying…

Craig: There’s different categories when it comes to interpreters. There are FULL-Licensed interpreters, provisional licensed interpreters, even interpreters who specialize in legal interpreting for court purposes. Here you have "school interpreters” for students.

Principal: I got it now (a light bulb goes off in his head).

________________________________________________________________________________

Because the ADA law applies to Deaf Adults, school interpreters are for deaf students only.

6. What's the difference between a "FULL-Licensed Interpreter", "Provisional Licensed Interpreter" and a "school interpreter"?

7. What are Educational Interpreters?

8. What does it mean when an interpreter say "I am EIPA Certfied"?

There is NO EIPA Certification. EIPA score ranges between 0 to 5. When an interpreter claims to be "EIPA Certified", do ASK: What is your EIPA assessment score?

 

NC DPI has a suggested guideline, that school districts are to hire interpreters who have received a minimum passing score on the performance portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA) of a 3.0.

 

What does 3.0 EIPA score mean?

 

School interpreters with 3.0 EIPA score interpret only 60% of the information.

(40% of the information is lost).

 

To see a clear chart, click at: http://www.ourncad.org/for-parents.html#scores

 

To view a comparison chart of 50 states' minimum EIPA passing score:
http://www.ourncad.org/for-parents.html#eipa

9. Why do the interpreters’ skills vary so much? I mean, some are

TERRIFIC and some are really.... TERRIBLE!

It is important to remember that we use FULL-Licensed Interpreters every single time. Do call ahead and specifically ASK for “FULL-Licensed Interpreters”.

There are three categories of licensed interpreters:

FULL-LICENSED: Generally speaking, this means this licensed interpreter has passed the RID National Interpreting Exam (RID: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) and has 4-year college degree.

GRANDFATHERED: Generally speaking, this means this person was an interpreter long before the NC Interpreter & Transliterator Licensure Board was formed. This interpreter was automatically given a license based on X number of years of interpreting. Grandfathered Interpreters are licensed but have not passed the RID National Interpreting Exam.

PROVISIONAL: Generally speaking, this means this person may have graduated from an interpreting program (for example: a 2-year community college program) and has been given a license for interpreting but have not yet passed the RID National Interpreting Exam.

10. How do I know that my interpreter is FULL-Licensed? I don’t want a Grandfathered Interpreter or a Provisional Licensed Interpreter!

To view all NC licensed interpreters: (Click) http://www.ncitlb.org/current-licensees/

________________________________________________________________________________

You have every right to ask: “May I see your interpreter's license?”

Examples:  Alice Cogswell, 2012823 (FULL-Licensed)

Sophia Fowler, G2005185 (G stands for "grandfathered")

Olof Hanson, P2018279 (P stands for "provisional" which means temporary)

11. I had the worst interpreter! Where do I go to file a complaint?

12. If the interpreter is Provisional/FULL-Licensed/Grandfathered, why
should I file TWO separate complaints with NCITLB and RID?

If NC Interpreter & Transliterator Licensing Board finds evidence of misconduct, the interpreter can be fined. Also, the Board can suspense or revoke their license.

If Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf determines that the interpreter's action was in violation of the
NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct, the adjudication panel will decide what the interpreter must do.

When there is evidence of violation (summarizing what this means):

NCITLB can fine the interpreter (and can suspense or take away the interpreter's license).

RID can order rehab (the interpreter is ordered to take X hours of training and this is very costly!)

13. Are FULL-Licensed Interpreters and Provisional / Grandfathered Licensed Interpreters required to carry a business card?

YES! Interpreter's name and the NCITLB License number must be on their business card.

 21 NCAC 25. 0405, Mandatory Disclosures states upon request of any consumer, a licensee shall give the consumer a business card that bears: (1) the licensee’s name; and (2) the licensee’s license number in the following format: “NCITLB License # [number]”

14. I hate using VRI. How do I tell them I need a LIVE Interpreter?

Select reasons from the image and explain to them why you need an “On-Site FULL-Licensed Interpreter” and

15. They told me they have already have a "contract" with an interpreting agency and that I must accept whoever they send. I want them to use my list of preferred interpreters.

First off, do not say "preferred interpreters".   The ADA law does NOT care about your preferences. Do say "This is a list of Interpreters who are qualified to interpret for me."  You must justify why the interpreters on their list are not qualified to interpret for you. Contact NCAD for further details.

16. I am teacher. If I use a Full-licensed interpreter during a faculty meeting and s/he violates CPC - are you saying the NC Interpreters and Transliterator Licensing Board would not review my complaint merely because it happened on an “educational setting”?

Correct. This is a response from John Green, an attorney that services the licensing board: "This Board has no jurisdiction over interpreters, licensed or unlicensed, working in an educational setting. It lists “educational interpreters and transliterators” in the law (please see below), however, this would mean that an educational setting would where an education interpreter or transliterator would be where they are providing interpreting services."

§ 90D-4. License required; exemptions.

(a) Except as provided in Chapter 8B of the General Statutes, no person shall practice or offer to practice as an interpreter or transliterator for a fee or other consideration, represent  NC General Statutes - Chapter 90D 2

himself or herself as a licensed interpreter or transliterator, or use the title "Licensed Interpreter for the Deaf", "Licensed Transliterator for the Deaf", or any other title or abbreviation to indicate that the person is a licensed interpreter or transliterator unless that person is currently licensed under this Chapter.

(b) The provisions of this Chapter do not apply to:

(1) Persons providing interpreting or transliterating services in religious proceedings.

(2) Persons providing interpreting or transliterating services in mentoring or training programs approved by the Board.

(3) An intern under the supervision of a person licensed under this Chapter to provide interpreting or transliterating services.

(4) Persons providing interpreting or transliterating services in an emergency situation until a licensed interpreter or transliterator can be obtained. An emergency situation is one where the deaf or hard-of-hearing person is in

substantial danger of death or irreparable harm if interpreting or transliterating services are not provided immediately.

(5) Educational interpreters or transliterators.

(6) Nonresident persons who are nationally certified providing interpreting or transliterating services in this State no more than 20 days per year in accordance with rules adopted by the Board. (2002-182, s. 1; 2003-56, s. 3; 2005-299, s. 1.)

NC Interpreting Licensure Law does not protect any Deaf consumers working as a college instructor or a K-12 teacher. If a licensed interpreter violates CPC during a meeting on an school/college campus, the NCITLB will dismiss your complaint. Because "educational setting" includes K - college level, my advice to you is to always use a RID-Certified Interpreter. If anything were to go wrong, you can file with RID within 90 days of the incident.

17. My internet service provider is refusing to / will not increase the internet speed. My picture keeps freezing up! What do I do?

Immediately, file a consumer complaint with FCC Disability Rights Office at: https://www.fcc.gov/accessibility

Legally, your internet service provider can not charge you extra for increasing your speed. You must be able to call 911 at any time.