Frequently asked questions about hiring and working with interpeters
Does ORID provide interpreters?
How do a find an interpreter?
You may choose to go through an interpreting agency or to directly contract with a private practice interpreter to meet your needs for interpretation.
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Make sure to check the box labeled "freelance status" -
Also note the membership category column: -
"Certified” members are interpreters who have passed an ethiand have demonstrated a minimum level of skill and have agreed to the RID Code of Professional Conduct -
“Associate” members have not been screened or certified by RID as having any level of skill in interpretation but are RID members and have agreed to the RID Code of Professional Conduct -
“Student” members are still in a training program and are not appropriate to contact for independent contract work)
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You can learn more about what interpreter certifications mean by visiting www.rid.org
What is a CDI and why might my event need one?
Or see this video:
https://www.facebook.com/DACInterpreting/videos/1563494030616649/
Why do some jobs require two interpreters?
Interpreting between two languages and cultures is a highly demanding cognitive task. Two interpreters may be required to provide effective services based a number of assignment characteristics, including the number of participants involved, interactive dynamics, density and complexity of content, and length of the assignment. Discussing with interpreters and consumers the details and needs of the setting is the best way to ensure that all participants will have access to engaging in the event.
Someone asked for an ASL interpreter, do I have to provide one?
Businesses, services providers, and non-profit entities must ensure effective communication with people who are deaf or hard of hearing under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This federal law applies to a wide range of “places of public accommodation,” including retail stores and the wide range of service businesses such as hotels, theaters, restaurants, doctors’ and lawyers’ offices, optometrists, dentists, banks, insurance agencies, museums, parks, libraries, day care centers, recreational programs, social service agencies and private schools. It covers both profit and non-profit organizations. Places of public accommodation must give persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and to benefit from their services. They must modify their policies and practices when necessary to provide equal access to services and facilities. In order to provide equal access, all public accommodations are required to provide auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified interpreters or captioning, when necessary to ensure effective communication.
Auxiliary aids and services must be provided unless the entity can demonstrate that doing so would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, or would constitute an undue burden (significant difficulty or expense). Whether or not a particular auxiliary aid or service constitutes an undue burden depends on a variety of factors, including the nature and cost of the auxiliary aid or service, and the overall financial and other resources of the business. The undue burden standard is applied on a case-by-case basis. Undue burden is not measured by the amount of income the business is receiving from a deaf or hard of hearing client, patient, customer, or member of the public. Instead, undue burden is measured by the overall financial impact on the whole entity. Therefore, it is possible for a business to be responsible for providing auxiliary aids and services even if it does not make a sale or receive income from a deaf or hard of hearing person, if the cost of the auxiliary aid or service would not be an undue burden on its overall operation.
For more information, read the
ADA's Requirements of Effective Communication
How do I find Pro Bono (free) interpreting services?
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Add a line item in your budget for accomodations for any event, just as you would for a meeting space, sound equipment, or refreshments
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Fundraise for accomodations or look for a donor who is willing to support accessibility for your organization before a request for services is made
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Develop personal relationships with interpreters before a request for services is made and talk to them about their ability to volunteer for your organizations
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You may post to our ORID facebook group to see if any interpreters are interested in volunteering their services
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Reach our directly to qualified interpreters using Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf’s member search at https://myaccount.rid.org/Public/Search/Member.aspx
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Reach out of an interpreting agency to help secure interpreting services. You can visit: Oregon visit Oregon Association of the Deaf’s directory at http://oad1921.org/directory/main?tid=15