Face-to-Face Sign Face-to-Face Sign Language Language InterpretingInterpreting

Susan Wolf-Downes, MSSusan Wolf-Downes, MS

Executive DirectorExecutive Director

Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Inc.Services, Inc.

NDHHS Mission NDHHS Mission StatementStatement

To Empower, Educate and Advocate To Empower, Educate and Advocate for Equal Access and Opportunity for Equal Access and Opportunity

for Deaf and Hard of Hearing for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Citizens of New Hampshire.Citizens of New Hampshire.

We are committed to the provision We are committed to the provision of services in a culturally sensitive of services in a culturally sensitive

environment, that promotes environment, that promotes independence and productivity.independence and productivity.

What is ASL?What is ASL?

American Sign Language (ASL) is a American Sign Language (ASL) is a language with its own grammatical rules, language with its own grammatical rules, sentence structure and cultural nuancessentence structure and cultural nuances

Sign language interpreting makes Sign language interpreting makes communication possible between communication possible between people who are deaf or hard of hearing people who are deaf or hard of hearing and people who can hear.and people who can hear.

Most importantly, it is a visual, three-Most importantly, it is a visual, three-dimensional language.dimensional language.

Live vs. Video Live vs. Video InterpreterInterpreter

Live Interpreter

Video Interpreter

Mobile One location

(room)

Local From another

state Live (3-D) Flat (2-D) Can move to

different positions to protect patient privacy

Limited to one camera angle

Drawbacks of Video Drawbacks of Video InterpretingInterpreting

Often only set up in a few rooms, sick Often only set up in a few rooms, sick patients have to move to new roompatients have to move to new room

Hospital staff don't know how to set up Hospital staff don't know how to set up Technology problems (slow internet, Technology problems (slow internet,

power) deaf patient is left without accesspower) deaf patient is left without access Lack of privacy for personal appointmentsLack of privacy for personal appointments Doesn’t work for patients who are very Doesn’t work for patients who are very

sick, dizzy, can’t sit up, in and out of sick, dizzy, can’t sit up, in and out of consciousnessconsciousness

Oral InterpretingOral Interpreting CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter) Deaf-Blind Interpreting (or Low-Deaf-Blind Interpreting (or Low-

Vision)Vision) Showing models, drawingShowing models, drawing Most Deaf people prefer a live Most Deaf people prefer a live

interpreter, hard to form personal interpreter, hard to form personal connection with a video screenconnection with a video screen

Drawbacks of Video Drawbacks of Video InterpretingInterpreting

When to use a video When to use a video interpreter?interpreter? Video interpreting is often used for Video interpreting is often used for

very remote locations.very remote locations. A video interpreter can be used A video interpreter can be used

until a live interpreter can arrive.until a live interpreter can arrive. Video interpreting should not be a Video interpreting should not be a

substitute for a live interpreter.substitute for a live interpreter. Hospitals need to learn when one Hospitals need to learn when one

is more appropriate than the other.is more appropriate than the other.

How to request an How to request an interpreter?interpreter?

Contact NDHHS Referral Department at 603-224-1850 Contact NDHHS Referral Department at 603-224-1850 ext 250 or referral@ndhhs.org and provide the ext 250 or referral@ndhhs.org and provide the following information:following information:

1. Date and Time1. Date and Time2. On-Site Contact Information 2. On-Site Contact Information 3. Type and Duration of the Assignment3. Type and Duration of the Assignment4. Name(s) of the Deaf people involved4. Name(s) of the Deaf people involved5. Location5. Location6. Billing contact and address6. Billing contact and address

Referral feeReferral fee

We ask for as much advance notice as possible. We ask for as much advance notice as possible. Preferably two weeks or more. We do not accept non-Preferably two weeks or more. We do not accept non-

medical requests with less than 48 hours notice.medical requests with less than 48 hours notice.

What is a profile? What is a profile? Why?Why? NDHHS keeps profiles of all or most of NDHHS keeps profiles of all or most of

the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people that we work with. that we work with.

A profile lists the preferred method of A profile lists the preferred method of communication, preferred interpreters communication, preferred interpreters and interpreters that are not preferred.and interpreters that are not preferred.

Preference is important. Signing styles Preference is important. Signing styles vary, it is important that the deaf vary, it is important that the deaf person feels comfortable with the person feels comfortable with the language style being used.language style being used.

Need Interpreter after Need Interpreter after hours?hours?

Call the EIRS (Emergency Interpreter Referral Service).Call the EIRS (Emergency Interpreter Referral Service).

If you are in need of an interpreter in a Medical, Legal If you are in need of an interpreter in a Medical, Legal or Mental Health emergency during overnights, or Mental Health emergency during overnights,

weekends, or holidays please call:weekends, or holidays please call:

1-800-552-32021-800-552-3202

This number will connect you with a dispatcher at NH This number will connect you with a dispatcher at NH 911. The dispatcher will ask:911. The dispatcher will ask:your nameyour namethe name of the deaf personthe name of the deaf personyour locationyour location

the nature of the emergencythe nature of the emergency

BillingBilling Freelance interpreters working in NH are self-employed, Freelance interpreters working in NH are self-employed,

independent contractors. They set and negotiate their own independent contractors. They set and negotiate their own fees, with the exception of jobs for the State of New fees, with the exception of jobs for the State of New Hampshire where New Hampshire state rates need to be Hampshire where New Hampshire state rates need to be honored.honored.

Bills will include:Bills will include:– A two hour minimumA two hour minimum– Travel time (portal to portal), billed at the interpreter’s hourly rateTravel time (portal to portal), billed at the interpreter’s hourly rate– Mileage, billed at the federal reimbursement mileage rateMileage, billed at the federal reimbursement mileage rate– All tolls incurredAll tolls incurred

The two hour minimum can be inclusive of travel time (i.e., if 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 meeting is 30 minutes and travel is 30 minutes each way, the time that would be billed is the two hour minimum).the time that would be billed is the two hour minimum).

The standard practice cancellation policy in New Hampshire is The standard practice cancellation policy in New Hampshire is 48 hours, regardless of inclement weather. If an appointment 48 hours, regardless of inclement weather. If an appointment gets cancelled with less than 48 hours advance notice, gets cancelled with less than 48 hours advance notice, interpreters will bill the agency for the scheduled time (the interpreters will bill the agency for the scheduled time (the time of the assignment as well as the expected travel time, no time of the assignment as well as the expected travel time, no mileage).mileage).

More InformationMore Information

If you ever have any questions, If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call.please don’t hesitate to call.

Referral Department:Referral Department: Emily GravesEmily Graves Dawn WelshmanDawn Welshman 603-224-1850 ext. 250, 603-224-1850 ext. 250,

referral@ndhhs.orgreferral@ndhhs.org

Or Aimee Stevens (Supervisor)Or Aimee Stevens (Supervisor)

603-224-1850 ext 210, 603-224-1850 ext 210, astevens@ndhhs.orgastevens@ndhhs.org

TerminologyTerminology

No-noNo-no Hearing ImpairedHearing Impaired Deaf and DumbDeaf and Dumb Deaf-MuteDeaf-Mute

YesYes DeafDeaf Hard of HearingHard of Hearing Individual with hearing lossIndividual with hearing loss