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DSL INFO MEMO 2001-04

August 16, 2001

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living

To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Bureau Directors
BDHH Regional Coordinators
Center for the DeafBlind Persons
County AODA Coordinators
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Long Term Support Coordinators
County Mental Health Coordinators
Department of Corrections Administration
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Administration
Easter Seals
Governor’s Committee for People with Disabilities
Interpreter Service Agencies
Interpreter Training Programs
Job Centers
National Funeral Directors Associations
Section Chiefs
Self Help for Hard of Hearing
State Independent Living Centers
State Independent Living Council
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
Wisconsin Association for the Deaf
Wisconsin Bar Association
Wisconsin Council for Development Disabilities
Wisconsin Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Wisconsin School for the Deaf
Wisconsin Technical College System
Wisconsin Funeral Homes

Re: Wisconsin Interpreter Service Agencies

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifies that individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind have the right to effective communication. Often this means an individual or organization will need to hire a qualified interpreter. Interpreters can be hired through direct contact with a private practice interpreter or by contacting an Interpreter Service Agency. The purpose of this Info Memo is to provide you with basic guidelines for hiring and working with interpreters.

A list of freelance interpreters can be obtained by contacting the local Bureau for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (BDHH) Regional Coordinator. The freelance interpreters provide sign language interpreting for the consumers as needed. A freelance interpreter will establish his or her own rate and hours. A Regional Coordinator in each DSL region will provide information, referral and training to people who are not familiar with the hearing loss issue. The name of the appropriate Regional Coordinator is available on the attachment or can be obtained by calling the BDHH Central Office at (608) 266-3118 V/TTY.

There are four Interpreter Service Agencies in Wisconsin. The attached list provides information on how to contact the Service Agency, their hours of operation and a brief description of the types of interpreting services provided. Any of these agencies can be contacted to hire an interpreter.

When hiring and working with an interpreter, the following points should be considered:

1. The appropriate language accommodation for the deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind individual. Speak to the individual about what kind of interpreting accommodation is most appropriate. Some individuals use American Sign Language (ASL) while others need Oral or Tactile interpretation. The type of language need also differs if a person uses an interpreter who interprets English to ASL versus an interpreter who transliterates English to sign communication. Not all people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind use the same types of communication.
 
2. The length of time for which the interpreter will be working. Most interpreters can interpret for one or two hours by themselves. Longer periods of time, or more complex assignments, may or may not require a team of interpreters. Be sure to tell the freelance interpreter or the Service Agency about the duration of the event to be interpreted.
 
3. Allow at least two weeks lead time to hire an interpreter. Interpreter schedules fill quickly due to the demand for their services.
 
4. Interpreters are paid portal-to-portal. This means they are paid the same hourly rate for travel and interpreting time. Per hour charges for interpreters range from $20.00 to $60.00.
 
5. Interpreters should be scheduled according to the consumer’s request for accommodation. When the interpreter arrives at the assignment, request to see their certification or verification card. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and the National Association for the Deaf (NAD) are national sign language interpreter certifying bodies. The Wisconsin Interpreting Transliterating Assessment (WITA) is a state of Wisconsin verification system. BDHH recommends that all interpreters hired for legal and serious medical and mental health situations are either RID or NAD certified. A description of the different types of national certification and Wisconsin verification is attached.

Interpreters are bound by a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits the disclosure of information from any interpreting assignment. Any breaches of the Code of Ethics should be reported to the certifying or verifying body immediately.

6. When using an interpreter, remember to speak directly to the deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind person, not to the interpreter.
 
7. Additional information can be obtained from the BDHH website at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/sensory.

Please provide this information to consumers and appropriate agency and organization staff. Thank you for sharing this information with agencies working with people with disabilities.

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT:
For information about contacting the ODHH Regional Coordinator near you:
Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(608) 266-5641

Attachments:
ODHH Staff Listings and Wisconsin Interpreter Services Agencies Listings (outdated)
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Certification Levels

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