7 Situations In Which ASL Interpreting Can Help

The hearing population tends to overlook many circumstances that present difficulties to Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Job interviews, professional conferences, sports games/practices, and traveling may pose challenges for non-Hearing folks. Nevertheless, accessibility options–such as an English to ASL Interpreter or Translator–can help Deaf/HOH individuals overcome barriers and receive equal footing. Organizational leaders, then, should turn to a local provider of interpreting services.

Businesses and individuals around Leesburg, VA, can rely on HIS Sign Interpreting for such needs. We offer onsite and virtual ASL Interpreting, TypeWell, and CART services. Based in Northern Virginia, our team maintains close ties with Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities throughout the DMV. Moreover, our interpreters are experienced and qualified professionals who advocate on behalf of these communities. Contact us today to learn more about HIS Sign and our interpreting services.

Below, we outline several situations wherein Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals can benefit from ASL interpreting services:

1. Office/Professional Setting

Thanks to tireless advocacy, significant progress has taken place in making entertainment venues deaf-accessible. Yet the Hearing public neglects similar obstacles in offices and professional settings. This oversight is particularly frustrating given the amount of time everyone spends at work.

Consider the importance of communication in such situations. Department leaders have to mediate between multiple groups, each of which works together for a particular goal. Their exchanges are usually verbal, and without an accessibility aid, Deaf/HOH individuals miss those exchanges. Moreover, these hindrances have translated into work-from-home scenarios that rely on Zoom meetings.

However, many organizations have found an effective solution: designated interpreters. Rather than contract an interpreter for individual conferences and meetings, institutions keep one on staff. Doing so suits specialized fields–including medicine and science–because the interpreter must work with technical, detailed information.

2. Educational Setting

Along with professional spaces, academic spheres also benefit from interpreting services. While teachers can help Deaf/HOH students in their classrooms, an interpreter can provide personalized support. Plus, activities outside of classrooms call for accommodations too.

At a parent-teacher conference, an interpreter can ensure a Deaf/HOH student or parent gets involved. They can also work in school-sponsored counseling or speech therapy sessions. And ASL accommodations help student clubs and team events become accessible.

3. Sports Games & Practice

Whether they involve a team or individual effort, sports games and practices become more accessible with interpreters present. Indeed, HIS Sign has worked at practices and games in several local schools. Whether interpreting an announcer’s speech for a crowd or a coach’s instructions for participants, our interpreters open up these events.

Recently, these efforts have gained extra support thanks to David Smith, a Deaf/HOH member of the US Olympic Volleyball team that competed in Tokyo. Smith now serves as a role model for kids who dream of becoming professional athletes.

4. Doctor Appointment

It seems that a doctor who treats one or more Deaf patients should know how to sign or have accommodations ready. Nevertheless, a designated interpreting professional can help clarify complex diagnoses or medical information. Moreover, Deaf/HOH patients with another chronic condition may require specialized auxiliary aids.

5. Legal, Government, and/or Commercial Transaction

More than doctors need to communicate complex information. Many businesses and government services conduct transactions that involve nuanced details: percentages, formulas, facts, and figures. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures these entities provide accommodations for those who require speech, hearing, and vision aids.

Legal professionals, as well, have a difficult task in making legalese understandable to laypeople. Without an interpreter, they may have an especially hard time with Deaf/HOH clients.

6. Vacation & Traveling

Whether at a destination or en route to one, Deaf travelers can benefit from an interpreter’s presence. For instance, American cruise ships bring on ASL interpreters to travel with Deaf guests throughout the trip. The interpreters learn the ship’s vocabulary and work with the passengers on excursions and daily activities. 

While US cruise lines are the only ones that must offer interpreters, we hope that continued advocacy can spread this service further. Doing so allows everyone to enjoy the complete experience of traveling to exotic locales.  

7. A Family Function

Finally, an interpreter can make family functions–including weddings, funerals, church-specific events, or the like–more accessible. We may assume that families with Deaf members know to make accommodations in advance. However, large events may involve friends or distant relatives that the organizers do not know (and who may benefit from accommodation).

Professional English to ASL Interpreters and Translators Available in Leesburg, VA

While Hearing individuals may continue to overlook accommodations for the Deaf population, HIS Sign Interpreting persists in advocating for English to ASL Interpreters and Translators. Through continued visibility, we hope that hearing accommodations become a standard feature in all settings. We offer Leesburg, VA, and the surrounding region’s organizations onsite and virtual ASL Interpreting, TypeWell, and CART services. For more information or to schedule a service, call us at (877) 458-7408 or fill out our online form.