Interpreting Services
Interpreting services are used to facilitate communication between hearing individuals and those who are deaf or hard of hearing in a job interview or on the job. Two main types of services are those that serve people who are manual deaf or hard of hearing and those that serve those who are oral deaf or hard of hearing.
- Manual-Based Interpreting Services
- Oral-Based Interpreting Services
- Communications Access Real-Time Translation
ODEP’s Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides additional interpreter referrals.
- Manual-Based Interpreting Services are utilized by individuals who do not communicate verbally. They are expressed through hand gestures through three main methods:
- American Sign Language (ASL)-is a linguistically complete language with its own set of grammar rules expressed manually and uses facial expression and body language as clarifiers. It is received visually rather than auditorally. It is not a manual form of English.
- Signed Exact English (SEE)-although SEE and ASL share many hand shapes for vocabulary, SEE is a manual translation of spoken English; including signs for transitions and prepositions.
- Tactile Interpretation-is used for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing along with significant vision limitation, in some cases, blindness. The client will place his/her hands over those of the interpreter and "read" the signs (usually ASL). However, due to the additional fatigue caused by the weight of the hand, two interpreters are needed rather than one, with the other providing information to fill in the gaps (notetaking, etc.). Interpreters must go through additional training to interpret for this clientele.
- Oral-Based Interpretation Services are usually utilized by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing who have ranging ability to hear/read lips, as well as speak for themselves in order to facilitate better communication.
- Cued Speech Transliteration-is a sound-based visual communication system that, in English, uses eight hand shapes (consonants) in four different motions (vowels) in different locations. This system, in combination with the natural mouth movements of speech, helps or "cues" the lip-reader who is deaf or hard of hearing to differentiate between sounds or words that otherwise appear the same.
- Oral Interpretation-an oral interpreter will repeat what is said taking care to clearly articulate (and without voice as to not interrupt the speaker) what is being said for the lip-reader who is deaf or hard of hearing. If needed, the interpreter will repeat what the client has said for clarification as they tend to be more attuned to the intricacies of a person who is deaf or hard of hearing's speech than the average listener.
- Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART)
- What is it? CART is the instantaneous translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and Real-Time software. The text appears on a computer monitor or other display. This technology is primarily used by people who have hearing limitations or who are learning English as a second language. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifically recognized CART as an assistive technology which affords "effective communication access." It is very similar to captioning.
- How to use it: A trained stenographer transcribes all spoken information which is then converted into written English on a laptop computer for a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to read. This communication method is optimal for those who are not able to obtain all information auditorally, but do not benefit from American Sign Language. At large presentations, the words typed on the laptop computer can be projected onto a large screen for viewing by not only attendees who are deaf or hard of hearing, but by all the participants.
- When to use it: CART is optimal for presentations, workshops, as well as training courses. It can also be used for one-on-one meetings with those who do not use sign language.
The National Court Reporters Association provides a national CART Provider Directory containing contact information for qualified providers in each state and a CART brochure.
