FacetoFace Sign Language Interpreting Susan WolfDownes MS Executive

Face-to-Face Sign Language Interpreting Susan Wolf-Downes, MS Executive Director Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Inc.

NDHHS Mission Statement To Empower, Educate and Advocate for Equal Access and Opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Citizens of New Hampshire. We are committed to the provision of services in a culturally sensitive environment, that promotes independence and productivity.

What is ASL? n American Sign Language (ASL) is a language with its own grammatical rules, sentence structure and cultural nuances n Sign language interpreting makes communication possible between people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear. Most importantly, it is a visual, three-dimensional language. n

Live vs. Video Interpreter Live Interpreter Video Interpreter Mobile One location (room) Local From another state Live (3 -D) Can move to different positions to protect patient privacy Flat (2 -D) Limited to one camera angle

Drawbacks of Video Interpreting n n n Often only set up in a few rooms, sick patients have to move to new room Hospital staff don't know how to set up Technology problems (slow internet, power) deaf patient is left without access Lack of privacy for personal appointments Doesn’t work for patients who are very sick, dizzy, can’t sit up, in and out of consciousness

Drawbacks of Video Interpreting Oral Interpreting n CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) n Deaf-Blind Interpreting (or Low-Vision) n Showing models, drawing n Most Deaf people prefer a live interpreter, hard to form personal connection with a video screen n

When to use a video interpreter? Video interpreting is often used for very remote locations. n A video interpreter can be used until a live interpreter can arrive. n Video interpreting should not be a substitute for a live interpreter. n Hospitals need to learn when one is more appropriate than the other. n

How to request an interpreter? Contact NDHHS Referral Department at 603 -224 -1850 ext 250 or referral@ndhhs. org and provide the following information: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Date and Time On-Site Contact Information Type and Duration of the Assignment Name(s) of the Deaf people involved Location Billing contact and address Referral fee We ask for as much advance notice as possible. Preferably two weeks or more. We do not accept non-medical requests with less than 48 hours notice.

What is a profile? Why? n n n NDHHS keeps profiles of all or most of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people that we work with. A profile lists the preferred method of communication, preferred interpreters and interpreters that are not preferred. Preference is important. Signing styles vary, it is important that the deaf person feels comfortable with the language style being used.

Need Interpreter after hours? Call the EIRS (Emergency Interpreter Referral Service). If you are in need of an interpreter in a Medical, Legal or Mental Health emergency during overnights, weekends, or holidays please call: 1 -800 -552 -3202 This number will connect you with a dispatcher at NH 911. The dispatcher will ask: your name the name of the deaf person your location the nature of the emergency

Billing n Freelance interpreters working in NH are self-employed, independent contractors. They set and negotiate their own fees, with the exception of jobs for the State of New Hampshire where New Hampshire state rates need to be honored. n Bills will include: n n – – A two hour minimum Travel time (portal to portal), billed at the interpreter’s hourly rate Mileage, billed at the federal reimbursement mileage rate All tolls incurred The two hour minimum can be inclusive of travel time (i. e. , if the meeting is 30 minutes and travel is 30 minutes each way, the time that would be billed is the two hour minimum). The standard practice cancellation policy in New Hampshire is 48 hours, regardless of inclement weather. If an appointment gets cancelled with less than 48 hours advance notice, interpreters will bill the agency for the scheduled time (the time of the assignment as well as the expected travel time, no mileage).

More Information If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call. n Referral Department: n Emily Graves n Dawn Welshman n 603 -224 -1850 ext. 250, referral@ndhhs. org Or Aimee Stevens (Supervisor) 603 -224 -1850 ext 210, astevens@ndhhs. org n

Terminology No-no n Hearing Impaired n Deaf and Dumb n Deaf-Mute Yes n Deaf n Hard of Hearing n Individual with hearing loss