1309, 2023

5 Guidelines to Make the Best Use of ASL Interpreters

The Americans with Disabilities Act ensures that Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) individuals receive equal access to events and programming that their Hearing counterparts enjoy. As a result, organizations throughout Northern Virginia and DC may need a certified ASL translator or interpreter. But what specific responsibilities does an interpreter have? How can you ensure accessibility through an interpreter’s work? An ASL services provider can answer all these questions and…

1409, 2022

4 Types of Interpreter Specialization

Seeking certification or sharpening their craft represents a part of ASL interpreters and translators’ professional journeys. Often, they also pursue a degree or in-depth exposure to an industry or field, such as education, performing arts, law, or healthcare. Doing so can better serve the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) communities in these fields. Sign language interpreting services can also match these interpreters’ skills and knowledge to clients who require…

1506, 2022

Impacting an Industry: Subcontract Interpreters

While my past articles have focused on influential individuals in the interpreting industry—from VQAS Coordinator Elaine Zehl to HIS Sign owner and president Christina Hammrich—this piece concentrates on an impactful group! What group has had the greatest impact on the interpreting industry? The Deaf community is the obvious answer—HIS Sign and the interpreting industry at large could not exist without it—but in this context, subcontract interpreters (SIs) are the clear…

1605, 2022

ASL Interpreting 101 for Hearing People

Before employing the services of an ASL interpreter, Hearing individuals should learn the best practices for interpreted interactions and events: careful event preparation, social expectation delineation, and the incorporation of demonstrative communication behaviors. These procedures serve as standards of conduct while also reflecting Deaf culture values. They help make for smooth interactions between Hearing, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing individuals. To ensure your interpreted event turns out successfully, engage ASL…

1603, 2022

Interpreting Services Testing in the DMV

Current and future interpreters must understand the importance of regional and national interpreting standards. These tools ensure that professionals can deliver their services to the widest range of people. In the DMV, our instruments for certifying, measuring, and improving these skills are the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS), Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment (EIPA), and National Interpreter Certification (NIC). To learn more about stipulations for testing in your area, seek a…

2001, 2022

The History of Sign Language and Deaf Communication

For centuries, Deaf people faced harsh oppression and were denied fundamental rights. Some of the earliest discourse on Deaf individuals comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who claimed that Deaf people were incapable of learning and critical thinking. This false and ill-informed belief contributed to the view that the Deaf were “non-persons,” discrimination that prohibited them from buying property, marrying, or securing a job. Fortunately, the tide turned during the…

2209, 2021

Different Types of Sign Language

According to the Ethnologue Languages of the World, around 142 sign languages are in use worldwide. But the small variations and mixtures of dialects, which can arise in single communities, make it difficult to pin down an exact number. This uncertainty tells us that sign languages are as complex and fickle as their spoken counterparts. Thus, professional ASL Interpreting Services invest significant time and attention to understanding and applying these…