Presenters: Dr. S. Jordan Wright and Hayden Orr

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Click here to learn more about Hayden Orr!

Description: Is the lack of sexual health literacy among American Deaf individuals linked with the unpreparedness of Sign Language interpreters? In this study, we further analyze the high percentage of delayed care and morbidity rates within the American Deaf community as it correlates with the reported inability of Sign Language interpreters to communicate sexual health interlocution effectively. Further, we examine how interpreters report and demonstrate paternalistic attitudes which may subconsciously limit the decision-making schema and autonomy of Deaf clients. We conducted a series of remote focus groups with interpreters who have experience in sexual healthcare interpreting (N=11). The focus groups were conducted entirely in American Sign Language and later transcribed into written English.

We found the theme of unpreparedness for various medical situations to be an overarching phenomenon. We also note that the second theme of horizontal violence is significant in which they would place the onus for a lack of knowledge upon other interpreters or Deaf clients, but rarely themselves or the hearing client (in this situation, often are Healthcare providers). Finally, the third theme of paternalism is salient in that many interpreters would claim that the most prominent issues are the Deaf patients' low health literacy; other interpreters' inability to interpret correctly “for this client” during previous appointments; and a deficit perspective of Deaf patients. Previous research focusing on Deaf healthcare accessibility shows that Deaf people in the United States have significantly lower health literacy than their hearing peers, are less likely to access the healthcare they need, and 7 times more likely to end up in the emergency room as a result of delayed care. This demonstrates that one of the most significant barriers to healthcare access can come from the frustrations of working with unqualified interpreters. The results of this study will help us understand how we can elevate the interpreting field in the United States as a preparatory response to various medical situations, while reducing paternalistic behaviors in Sexual Healthcare literacy.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to identify and articulate the following:

1. Paternalistic behavior

2. Health Literacy Skills

3. Opportunities for professional growth

4. Becoming an active ally

Target Audience: Interpreters/Para's

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Daniel Maffia

Click here to learn more about Daniel Maffia!

Description: This workshop will provide background information on the unfortunate common occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in sign language interpreters. This workshop will be in lecture format along with opportunities to apply what is learned. The learning will be fun and definitely, interactive. In addition participants will learn about current research and best practices to keep you fit until you retire. Sign language interpreters of all physical levels are encouraged to participate.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Cite available research information on how stress can increase the risk of cumulative trauma disorder, on the interpreting settings with the highest occupational health risks and on the rate of incidence of musculoskeletal pain 

2. Explain proper posture and the components of safe upper extremity biomechanics.

3. Understand how posture and biomechanics relates to interpreter-related injuries.

4. Identify their external and personal risks of cumulative trauma disorder.

5. Learn the physical and psychological benefits of exercise in managing/preventing pain.

6. Define the common conditions of physical pain presentation seen in sign language interpreters.

7. Learn strategies of how to manage/prevent pain, like exercise, bracing and stress management.

8. Apply low risk behaviors to interpreting practice assignments.

9. Easily follow-thru on exercises learned well beyond their participation in this workshop via use of handouts and small pieces of exercise equipment that will be distributed

Target Audience: All (CDI's, hearing interpreters, novice, experienced, students)

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Spoken English, ASL Interpreting provided

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L

Click here to learn more about Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L!

Description: This seminar will provide an overview of the legal system for practicing and potential court interpreters, including discussion of the roles of court interpreters, positioning of court interpreters, courtroom personnel, pre requisite knowledge and skills for a legal interpreter, working in Deaf/hearing interpreter teams, court code of conduct, roles and protocol for court interpreters.

Note - this workshop has a limited capacity, and attendees must attend all the full track of this workshop (both sessions Friday and both sessions Saturday)

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to articulate the differences between community interpreting and legal interpreting, and the differences between legal interpreting and court interpreting.  Participants will be able to state the three major functions used in court interpreting.  Participants will be able to explain how evidentiary principles such as hearsay and the contemporary objection rule affect interpreters.

Target Audience: certified interpreters interested in court interpreting

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenters: Dr. Lisa Prinzi & Dr. Justin DeMartin

Click here to learn more about Dr. Lisa Prinzi!

Click here to learn more about Dr. Justin DeMartin!

Description: This workshop addresses interpersonal communication and collaboration between interpreters working in K-12 educational environments and school administrators. In particular, this workshop explores interpreters' perspectives on working with administrators in the K-12 setting taken from survey data and focus group interviews. In so doing, this workshop highlights issues interpreters face, such as role confusion and ambiguity. In addition, this workshop examines the administrators' understanding of the educational interpreter role, perspective regarding educational interpreting, and the infusion of educational technology to support deaf students in the mainstream. Finally, by sharing interpreters' and administrators' perspectives and experiences, this workshop aims to share strategies for enhancing interpersonal communication and collaboration between school administrators and interpreters to better support deaf students in the mainstream.

Note - this workshop has a limited capacity.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the role of interpersonal communication and collaboration between interpreters and administration in the workplace.

2. Effectively explain how role confusion, ambiguity, and clarity apply to their workplace.

3. Identify at least two strategies interpreters can use to enhance interpersonal communication and collaboration with administrators.

4. Articulate ways to incorporate educational technology into the workplace to support deaf students.

Target Audience: Deaf and Hearing Interpreters; Deaf Consumers

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Spoken English, ASL Interpreting provided

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L

Click here to learn more about Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L!

Description: This seminar will provide an overview of the legal system for practicing and potential court interpreters, including discussion of the roles of court interpreters, positioning of court interpreters, courtroom personnel, pre requisite knowledge and skills for a legal interpreter, working in Deaf/hearing interpreter teams, court code of conduct, roles and protocol for court interpreters.

Note - this workshop has a limited capacity, and attendees must attend all the full track of this workshop (both sessions Friday and both sessions Saturday)

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to articulate the differences between community interpreting and legal interpreting, and the differences between legal interpreting and court interpreting.  Participants will be able to state the three major functions used in court interpreting.  Participants will be able to explain how evidentiary principles such as hearsay and the contemporary objection rule affect interpreters.

Target Audience: certified interpreters interested in court interpreting

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Vyron Kinson

Click here to learn more about Vyron Kinson!

Description: This workshop teaches participants all about Black ASL all while fostering positive and open dialogue. We'll discuss who uses BASL, when people use BASL, where you may see BASL during your work, and the importance of historically black universities and colleges.

*Note - this content is similar to the workshop ‘BASL WHAT THAT’ presented at the 2022 Virtual conference. New content has been added and the presentation has been updated and revised. Participants who attended BASL WHAT THAT are eligible to attend this presentation and earn CEUs.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Comprehend when, what, why, and how the BASL was created and who was involved

2. Comprehend the “B” handshape signing for Black has restricted for nonblack persons

3. Comprehend the long-time segregation between white and black are still exist

4. Comprehend that the Black Professionals/BIPOC are essential roles in the ASL and interpreting fields.

Target Audience: interpreters, allies, teachers, members of deaf communities

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenters: Dr. S. Jordan Wright and Hayden Orr

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Click here to learn more about Hayden Orr!

Description: Is the lack of sexual health literacy among American Deaf individuals linked with the unpreparedness of Sign Language interpreters? In this study, we further analyze the high percentage of delayed care and morbidity rates within the American Deaf community as it correlates with the reported inability of Sign Language interpreters to communicate sexual health interlocution effectively. Further, we examine how interpreters report and demonstrate paternalistic attitudes which may subconsciously limit the decision-making schema and autonomy of Deaf clients. We conducted a series of remote focus groups with interpreters who have experience in sexual healthcare interpreting (N=11). The focus groups were conducted entirely in American Sign Language and later transcribed into written English.

We found the theme of unpreparedness for various medical situations to be an overarching phenomenon. We also note that the second theme of horizontal violence is significant in which they would place the onus for a lack of knowledge upon other interpreters or Deaf clients, but rarely themselves or the hearing client (in this situation, often are Healthcare providers). Finally, the third theme of paternalism is salient in that many interpreters would claim that the most prominent issues are the Deaf patients' low health literacy; other interpreters' inability to interpret correctly “for this client” during previous appointments; and a deficit perspective of Deaf patients. Previous research focusing on Deaf healthcare accessibility shows that Deaf people in the United States have significantly lower health literacy than their hearing peers, are less likely to access the healthcare they need, and 7 times more likely to end up in the emergency room as a result of delayed care. This demonstrates that one of the most significant barriers to healthcare access can come from the frustrations of working with unqualified interpreters. The results of this study will help us understand how we can elevate the interpreting field in the United States as a preparatory response to various medical situations, while reducing paternalistic behaviors in Sexual Healthcare literacy.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to identify and articulate the following:

1. Paternalistic behavior

2. Health Literacy Skills

3. Opportunities for professional growth

4. Becoming an active ally

Target Audience: Interpreters/Para's

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Daniel Maffia

Click here to learn more about Daniel Maffia!

Description: This workshop will provide background information on the unfortunate common occurrence of musculoskeletal pain in sign language interpreters. This workshop will be in lecture format along with opportunities to apply what is learned. The learning will be fun and definitely, interactive. In addition participants will learn about current research and best practices to keep you fit until you retire. Sign language interpreters of all physical levels are encouraged to participate.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Cite available research information on how stress can increase the risk of cumulative trauma disorder, on the interpreting settings with the highest occupational health risks and on the rate of incidence of musculoskeletal pain 

2. Explain proper posture and the components of safe upper extremity biomechanics.

3. Understand how posture and biomechanics relates to interpreter-related injuries.

4. Identify their external and personal risks of cumulative trauma disorder.

5. Learn the physical and psychological benefits of exercise in managing/preventing pain.

6. Define the common conditions of physical pain presentation seen in sign language interpreters.

7. Learn strategies of how to manage/prevent pain, like exercise, bracing and stress management.

8. Apply low risk behaviors to interpreting practice assignments.

9. Easily follow-thru on exercises learned well beyond their participation in this workshop via use of handouts and small pieces of exercise equipment that will be distributed

Target Audience: All (CDI's, hearing interpreters, novice, experienced, students)

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Spoken English, ASL Interpreting provided

< Back to main Conference page

Presenters: Dr. Lisa Prinzi & Dr. Justin DeMartin

Click here to learn more about Dr. Lisa Prinzi!

Click here to learn more about Dr. Justin DeMartin!

Description: This workshop addresses interpersonal communication and collaboration between interpreters working in K-12 educational environments and school administrators. In particular, this workshop explores interpreters' perspectives on working with administrators in the K-12 setting taken from survey data and focus group interviews. In so doing, this workshop highlights issues interpreters face, such as role confusion and ambiguity. In addition, this workshop examines the administrators' understanding of the educational interpreter role, perspective regarding educational interpreting, and the infusion of educational technology to support deaf students in the mainstream. Finally, by sharing interpreters' and administrators' perspectives and experiences, this workshop aims to share strategies for enhancing interpersonal communication and collaboration between school administrators and interpreters to better support deaf students in the mainstream.

Note - this workshop has a limited capacity.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the role of interpersonal communication and collaboration between interpreters and administration in the workplace.

2. Effectively explain how role confusion, ambiguity, and clarity apply to their workplace.

3. Identify at least two strategies interpreters can use to enhance interpersonal communication and collaboration with administrators.

4. Articulate ways to incorporate educational technology into the workplace to support deaf students.

Target Audience: Deaf and Hearing Interpreters; Deaf Consumers

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Spoken English, ASL Interpreting provided

< Back to main Conference page

Presenters: Mark Lineberger, NCRID Representative to NCITLB & Beverly Woodel, Chair of NCITLB

Click here to learn more about Mark Lineberger!

Click here to learn more about Beverly Woodel!

Description: Come meet the current members of the NC Interpreter Transliterator Licensing Board. We will provide information on recent activity of the Board and how it applies to current and future licensees. We will then have an open discussion and interaction time to understand how the law and it's associated rules impact a variety of specific situations.

Educational Objectives: Attendees will get to know the membership of the NC Interpreter Transliterator Licensing Board. Attendees will also understand the difference between the licensure law and the rules that operationalize it. Attendees will understand the changes coming to both the law and the rules and how it impacts their work in NC.

Target Audience: Present and future NC interpreters

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Vyron Kinson

Click here to learn more about Vyron Kinson!

Description: This workshop teaches participants all about Black ASL all while fostering positive and open dialogue. We'll discuss who uses BASL, when people use BASL, where you may see BASL during your work, and the importance of historically black universities and colleges.

*Note - this content is similar to the workshop ‘BASL WHAT THAT’ presented at the 2022 Virtual conference. New content has been added and the presentation has been updated and revised. Participants who attended BASL WHAT THAT are eligible to attend this presentation and earn CEUs.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Comprehend when, what, why, and how the BASL was created and who was involved

2. Comprehend the “B” handshape signing for Black has restricted for nonblack persons

3. Comprehend the long-time segregation between white and black are still exist

4. Comprehend that the Black Professionals/BIPOC are essential roles in the ASL and interpreting fields.

Target Audience: interpreters, allies, teachers, members of deaf communities

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Jeni Rodrigues

Click here to learn more about Jeni Rodrigues!

Description: This presentation reports on findings from my doctoral study exploring access to effective communication in U.S. hospitals. Deaf patients report that hospitals provide inconsistent interpreting services and struggle to secure access, despite hospital policies, Joint Commission Standards, and federal legislation mandating “effective” communication. Even when healthcare systems maintain compliance by developing policy, establishing a language access plan, and creating an Interpreter Services (IS) department, barriers persist, and those barriers run deep, far deeper than the number of complaints, lawsuits, or settlement agreements suggest. 

I problematize the term “effective” as an ambiguous discursive construct, providing minimal guidance to hospitals, potentially leading entities to assume they have achieved compliance, contributing to disparities deaf patients report. Even hospitals that provide ASL-English interpreters cannot guarantee whether the interpreters are qualified due to the lack of standardized healthcare training, language assessment, or screening tools.

I will share Deaf patients’ and medical professionals’ perspectives on working with interpreters with advanced language skills and specialized healthcare training, and interpreter reflections on the challenges they experience interacting with healthcare staff who hold faulty assumptions about deafness, signed language, and interpreters. Participants will leave the workshop understanding the issue's complexity while coming away with strategies and tools they can incorporate into their practice to interpret confidently and “effectively” in healthcare settings.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Identify factors that prevent deaf patients from receiving access to effective communication in U.S. hospitals.

2. Investigate barriers Deaf patients face when interacting with healthcare staff through an interpreter. 

3. Determine strategies institutions and individuals can implement to improve access.

4. Evaluate their readiness to interpret in healthcare settings.

Target Audience: Healthcare Interpreters

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L

Click here to learn more about Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L!

Description: This seminar will provide an overview of the legal system for practicing and potential court interpreters, including discussion of the roles of court interpreters, positioning of court interpreters, courtroom personnel, pre requisite knowledge and skills for a legal interpreter, working in Deaf/hearing interpreter teams, court code of conduct, roles and protocol for court interpreters.

Note - this workshop has a limited capacity, and attendees must attend all the full track of this workshop (both sessions Friday and both sessions Saturday)

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to articulate the differences between community interpreting and legal interpreting, and the differences between legal interpreting and court interpreting.  Participants will be able to state the three major functions used in court interpreting.  Participants will be able to explain how evidentiary principles such as hearsay and the contemporary objection rule affect interpreters.

Target Audience: certified interpreters interested in court interpreting

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Description: This presentation will share the results of an investigation into signed language interpreter’s perspectives of working in settings related to sexual health. Studies have shown that the health literacy of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States significantly lags behind that of their hearing peers, which leads to adverse and delayed care (IGS 2003; McKee et al. 2015; Heuttel & Rothstein 2001). Sexual Health access; particularly as it relates to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) when encountered by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC deaf communities is an underserved topic cloaked in taboo beliefs, a dearth of research, and compounded barriers for access of information. The findings of our pilot study have been extrapolated from three focus groups where signed language interpreters working in the United States reflected on their experiences of interpreting in sexually transmitted infection (STI) related medical scenarios. Findings reveal that interpretations vary widely based on factors including inconsistencies of sexual knowledge, professional preparation, academic training, personally held beliefs related to sex, and trust. This investigation leads us to sharply examine what becomes “lost in translation” for deaf and hard of hearing people who receive their health information through signed language interpretation. We aim to spotlight gaps in the healthcare setting that can be remedied for long-term improvement of sexual health access.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Identify at least two sexual health gaps in sign language interpreter training 

2. Understand the concept of “master narrative” as it relates to interpreting in sexual health settings  

3. Articulate at least two current topics that are deemed taboo, stigmatized, or marginalized

4. Create and participate in dialogue around approaches interpreters can take to avoid the widely varied inconsistencies in interpretations in these settings

Target Audience: D/Hearing Interpreters/

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

< Back to main Conference page

Presenters: Heather Foster & Lisa Kennedy

Click here to learn more about Heather Foster!

Click here to learn more about Lisa Kennedy!

Description: This workshop will provide a forum for discussing situations in which interpreters have to use body anchored signs in their interpretation. It is imperative that interpreters feel comfortable using body anchored signs as the dynamics of the interaction between the hearing and Deaf consumers as well as the interpreters can be impacted.  Through instruction and discussion, interpreters will gain a better understanding of the body anchored signs that may be used in assignments related to anatomy, childbirth, and medical procedures.  Skill development activities during the workshop will ensure that participants are able to apply what they have learned.

Educational Objectives:

1. Interpreters will be able to interpret appropriate body anchored signs for anatomy and topics involving signs for childbirth and medical procedures.

2. Interpreters will be able to produce interpretations using the appropriate signs, classifiers, and depiction to convey a message clearly without relying on fingerspelling unfamiliar vocabulary.  

3. Interpreters will be able to identify the settings where body anchored signs may be needed and how to appropriately convey a message using these signs in these various settings. 

4. Interpreters will be able to define their role in these settings, particularly in regards to the sensitive nature of the topics and the importance of their comfort level in these environments and the effect that their comfort level might have on their interpreting performance and the dynamics of the interpreted interaction. 

5. Through a hands-on activity, interpreters will apply what they have learned and will gain greater comfort and facility with this subject matter.

Target Audience: Interpreters

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Vyron Kinson

Click here to learn more about Vyron Kinson!

Description: This workshop teaches participants all about Black ASL all while fostering positive and open dialogue. We'll discuss who uses BASL, when people use BASL, where you may see BASL during your work, and the importance of historically black universities and colleges.

*Note - this content is similar to the workshop ‘BASL WHAT THAT’ presented at the 2022 Virtual conference. New content has been added and the presentation has been updated and revised. Participants who attended BASL WHAT THAT are eligible to attend this presentation and earn CEUs.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Comprehend when, what, why, and how the BASL was created and who was involved

2. Comprehend the “B” handshape signing for Black has restricted for nonblack persons

3. Comprehend the long-time segregation between white and black are still exist

4. Comprehend that the Black Professionals/BIPOC are essential roles in the ASL and interpreting fields.

Target Audience: interpreters, allies, teachers, members of deaf communities

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Description: This presentation will share the results of an investigation into signed language interpreter’s perspectives of working in settings related to sexual health. Studies have shown that the health literacy of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States significantly lags behind that of their hearing peers, which leads to adverse and delayed care (IGS 2003; McKee et al. 2015; Heuttel & Rothstein 2001). Sexual Health access; particularly as it relates to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) when encountered by the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC deaf communities is an underserved topic cloaked in taboo beliefs, a dearth of research, and compounded barriers for access of information. The findings of our pilot study have been extrapolated from three focus groups where signed language interpreters working in the United States reflected on their experiences of interpreting in sexually transmitted infection (STI) related medical scenarios. Findings reveal that interpretations vary widely based on factors including inconsistencies of sexual knowledge, professional preparation, academic training, personally held beliefs related to sex, and trust. This investigation leads us to sharply examine what becomes “lost in translation” for deaf and hard of hearing people who receive their health information through signed language interpretation. We aim to spotlight gaps in the healthcare setting that can be remedied for long-term improvement of sexual health access.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Identify at least two sexual health gaps in sign language interpreter training 

2. Understand the concept of “master narrative” as it relates to interpreting in sexual health settings  

3. Articulate at least two current topics that are deemed taboo, stigmatized, or marginalized

4. Create and participate in dialogue around approaches interpreters can take to avoid the widely varied inconsistencies in interpretations in these settings

Target Audience: D/Hearing Interpreters/

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Lisa M Rose

Click here to learn more about Lisa M Rose!

Description: Working with Deaf Professionals can be either great or lousy and sometimes without joy or energy; it is a lot like LIFE!

This presentation will provide you with a simple framework to power your LIFE with positive energy. LIFE is not just a word but also an acronym. When implemented it is about the lessons we learn, the character and strength we build, and the ASL interpreter / Deaf Professional we become along the way. Learn It From Experience TODAY!

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Build your schema and understanding of the topics you need to know and the things you must do in order to become or recognize an excellent interpreter while working with Deaf professionals

2. Recognize the dynamics of cross-cultural interaction and the necessity of boundary flexibility as allies of Deaf and Deaf-aligned communities

3. Accommodate the diverse needs of consumers, whether related to cultural needs, disability, bias, or other conditions

4. Apply professional vocabulary and discourse to discuss the work with Deaf Professionals regarding presentations, meetings, interviews and medical settings

Target Audience: ASL Interpreters, ASL Interpreter students, Deaf community member

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Jeni Rodrigues

Click here to learn more about Jeni Rodrigues!

Description: This presentation reports on findings from my doctoral study exploring access to effective communication in U.S. hospitals. Deaf patients report that hospitals provide inconsistent interpreting services and struggle to secure access, despite hospital policies, Joint Commission Standards, and federal legislation mandating “effective” communication. Even when healthcare systems maintain compliance by developing policy, establishing a language access plan, and creating an Interpreter Services (IS) department, barriers persist, and those barriers run deep, far deeper than the number of complaints, lawsuits, or settlement agreements suggest. 

I problematize the term “effective” as an ambiguous discursive construct, providing minimal guidance to hospitals, potentially leading entities to assume they have achieved compliance, contributing to disparities deaf patients report. Even hospitals that provide ASL-English interpreters cannot guarantee whether the interpreters are qualified due to the lack of standardized healthcare training, language assessment, or screening tools.

I will share Deaf patients’ and medical professionals’ perspectives on working with interpreters with advanced language skills and specialized healthcare training, and interpreter reflections on the challenges they experience interacting with healthcare staff who hold faulty assumptions about deafness, signed language, and interpreters. Participants will leave the workshop understanding the issue's complexity while coming away with strategies and tools they can incorporate into their practice to interpret confidently and “effectively” in healthcare settings.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Identify factors that prevent deaf patients from receiving access to effective communication in U.S. hospitals.

2. Investigate barriers Deaf patients face when interacting with healthcare staff through an interpreter. 

3. Determine strategies institutions and individuals can implement to improve access.

4. Evaluate their readiness to interpret in healthcare settings.

Target Audience: Healthcare Interpreters

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L

Click here to learn more about Carla Mathers, Esq. SC:L!

Description: This seminar will provide an overview of the legal system for practicing and potential court interpreters, including discussion of the roles of court interpreters, positioning of court interpreters, courtroom personnel, pre requisite knowledge and skills for a legal interpreter, working in Deaf/hearing interpreter teams, court code of conduct, roles and protocol for court interpreters.

Note - this workshop has a limited capacity, and attendees must attend all the full track of this workshop (both sessions Friday and both sessions Saturday)

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to articulate the differences between community interpreting and legal interpreting, and the differences between legal interpreting and court interpreting.  Participants will be able to state the three major functions used in court interpreting.  Participants will be able to explain how evidentiary principles such as hearsay and the contemporary objection rule affect interpreters.

Target Audience: certified interpreters interested in court interpreting

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: M. Antwan Campbell

Click here to learn more about M. Antwan Campbell!

Description: Affiliate Chapters (AC's) are the actual foundation of RID. With all of the recent discussions about how RID is moving towards being a professional organization what does that entail for AC's? How will AC's change or look if this change happens and why do it now?

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Retell this information to interpreters in the field who do not attend the NCRID conference.

2. Appropriately advocate before the vote to shape RID.

3. Answer questions concerning this when asked by others.

4. Participants will be able to understand and articulate historical issues in the field that have led to these discussed changes.

Target Audience: Interpreters attending NCRID conference

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Vyron Kinson

Click here to learn more about Vyron Kinson!

Description: This workshop teaches participants all about Black ASL all while fostering positive and open dialogue. We'll discuss who uses BASL, when people use BASL, where you may see BASL during your work, and the importance of historically black universities and colleges.

*Note - this content is similar to the workshop ‘BASL WHAT THAT’ presented at the 2022 Virtual conference. New content has been added and the presentation has been updated and revised. Participants who attended BASL WHAT THAT are eligible to attend this presentation and earn CEUs.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Comprehend when, what, why, and how the BASL was created and who was involved

2. Comprehend the “B” handshape signing for Black has restricted for nonblack persons

3. Comprehend the long-time segregation between white and black are still exist

4. Comprehend that the Black Professionals/BIPOC are essential roles in the ASL and interpreting fields.

Target Audience: interpreters, allies, teachers, members of deaf communities

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

< Back to main Conference page

Presenter: Dr. S. Jordan Wright

Click here to learn more about Dr. S. Jordan Wright!

Description: This workshop is a follow-up to NCRID’s 2022 virtual presentation on Bias, Mental Health, Audism, and Anxiety in Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals (BMAD). To date, we have a sample size of 368 individuals (N= 368) who participated in a multi-prong survey. Results indicate that acculturative stress based on hearing status combined with various intersectional identities are consistent with that of minoritized hearing groups. Yet, these results are exacerbated by hearing loss and audism as a predictor of the impact of mental health. This workshop will also explore the challenges reflected in accurate mental health data reporting, since we know from previous studies that D/HH individuals have a staggeringly high prevalence of misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis, both as a byproduct of unqualified access and a lack of access to medical interlocution. These challenges will be incorporated into the development of a new Audism Diagnosis Instrument, based loosely on the Implicit Association Tests developed by Project Implicit at Harvard University. The development of the ADI, along with the calibration of said batteries and the deployment of this instrument should prove useful in assisting clinicians and hearing professionals with a more accurate method of diagnosing common mental health issues in D/HH individuals. Interpreters who are aware of these challenges and instruments that are rampant in health literacy will be better prepared to function as competent professionals in health and pharmaceutical care involving D/HH clients.

Educational Objectives: Participants will be able to:

1. Understand and articulate the concrete effects of audism, it's impact on mental health, and the systems which perpetuate audism 

2. Articulate the salient reasons why D/HH are often misdiagnosed, non-diagnosed, and unable to access mental health care. 

3. Recognize instruments and broaden content knowledge of acculturative stress across minoritized populations in order to improve medical interpreting services

Target Audience: Interpreters

Workshop Style: Active (groups, breakouts, practice, hands-on, etc)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, with English interpretation.

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Presenters: Heather Foster & Lisa Kennedy

Click here to learn more about Heather Foster!

Click here to learn more about Lisa Kennedy!

Description: This workshop will provide a forum for discussing situations in which interpreters have to use body anchored signs in their interpretation. It is imperative that interpreters feel comfortable using body anchored signs as the dynamics of the interaction between the hearing and Deaf consumers as well as the interpreters can be impacted.  Through instruction and discussion, interpreters will gain a better understanding of the body anchored signs that may be used in assignments related to anatomy, childbirth, and medical procedures.  Skill development activities during the workshop will ensure that participants are able to apply what they have learned.

Educational Objectives:

1. Interpreters will be able to interpret appropriate body anchored signs for anatomy and topics involving signs for childbirth and medical procedures.

2. Interpreters will be able to produce interpretations using the appropriate signs, classifiers, and depiction to convey a message clearly without relying on fingerspelling unfamiliar vocabulary.  

3. Interpreters will be able to identify the settings where body anchored signs may be needed and how to appropriately convey a message using these signs in these various settings. 

4. Interpreters will be able to define their role in these settings, particularly in regards to the sensitive nature of the topics and the importance of their comfort level in these environments and the effect that their comfort level might have on their interpreting performance and the dynamics of the interpreted interaction. 

5. Through a hands-on activity, interpreters will apply what they have learned and will gain greater comfort and facility with this subject matter.

Target Audience: Interpreters

Workshop Style: Interactive (some audience participation but mostly lecture)

Language of Presentation: Signed ASL, no voiced interpretation

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