If an individual or an agency is in need of interpreting services for American Sign Language (ASL), Signed English transliteration, spoken English, oral, tactile and close vision interpreting for Deaf and Deaf - Blind individuals, or CART services on behalf of hard of hearing and/or late deafened individuals in a wide variety of settings such as medical, legal, mental health, employment, education and recreational situations in Massachusetts, he/she can contact the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) at 617-740-1600 (Voice) or 617-740-1700 (TTY) or Toll-free voice:1- 800- 882-1155 Toll-free TTY: 1- 800- 530- 7570. Although there are fulltime staff interpreters employed by MCDHH, the majority of requests are filled by freelance interpreters. All CART requests are filled by freelance CART Providers.
If you require ASL interpreting services in Rhode Island, services can be requested by contacting the Rhode Island Commission for the Deaf Interpreter Referral Service at 401- 222- 5300 (V) or 401- 222- 5301 (TTY).
There are two referral services in New Hampshire for ASL-English interpreters: the Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) Interpreter Referral Service 1-800- 826- 3700 (TTY/Voice) or 603- 228- 9680 (TTY/Voice) and Northeast Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, Inc (NDHHS)~ Communication Access Service 1- 800- 492- 0407 or 603-224-1850 (V) - or - 1- 866- 634- 4764 or 603-224- 0691 (TTY).
ASL Interpreters and CART providers are professionals and are paid for their services. Several laws (ADA, Section 508 of the Rehab Act, etc) require agencies to make services and programs accessible (in most cases, at no cost to the consumer).
The Role of the Interpreter
- Facilitate communication between hearing and Deaf or hard of hearing people.
- Interpret the message accurately.
- Convey the feelings of the speaker.
- Maintain impartiality and confidentiality.
Simple guidelines for hiring and working with Interpreters
Explanation of National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certification:
The certificates described below are an indication that the interpreter was assessed by a group of professional peers according to a nationally recognized standard of minimum competence. The individual's performance was deemed to meet or exceed this national standard.
NIC (National Interpreter Certification)
Individuals achieving certification at the NIC, NIC Advanced or NIC Master level are all professionally certified interpreters.
CI (Certificate of Interpretation)
Holders of this certificate are recognized as fully certified in Interpretation and have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English in both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign.
CT (Certificate of Transliteration)
Holders of this certificate are recognized as fully certified in Transliteration and have demonstrated the ability to transliterate between English-based sign language and spoken English in both sign-to-voice and voice-to-sign.
CI and CT (Certificate of Interpretation and Certificate of Transliteration)
Holders of both full certificates (as listed above) have demonstrated competence in both interpretation and transliteration and have the same flexibility of job acceptance as holders of the CSC listed below.
CSC (Comprehensive Skills Certificate)
Holders of this full certificate have demonstrated the ability to interpret between American Sign Language and spoken English and to transliterate between spoken English and a English-based sign language. This test is no longer offered.
CLIP (Conditional Legal Interpreting Permit)
Holders of this conditional permit have completed an RID recognized training program designed for interpreters and transliterators who work in legal settings. Generalist certification (CI and CT, or CSC) is required prior to enrollment in the training program. The CLIP test is no longer offered.
SC:L (Specialist Certificate: Legal)
Holders of this specialist certificate have demonstrated specialized knowledge of legal settings and greater familiarity with language used in the legal system. Generalist certification and documented training and experience is required prior to sitting for this exam. This test is currently available.
IC/TC (Interpretation Certificate/Transliteration Certificate)
Holders of this partial certificate demonstrated ability to transliterate between English and a signed code for English and the ability to interpret between American Sign Language and spoken English. This test is equivalent to one step below a CSC. The IC/TC is no longer offered.
CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)
Holders of this certificate are Deaf or hard of hearing themselves and work in tandem with a hearing interpreter. A CDI may be needed when the communication mode of the deaf consumer is so unique that it cannot be adequately accessed by interpreters who are hearing.
In addition to these national certification categories several states offer their own screening certificates which will demonstrate a level of competence satisfactory for accepting work until such time as national certification is achieved.
