https://inthesetimes.com/article/sign-language-union-busting-private-equity

Hi all,

My name is Cody (some of you may remember me from my previous post), and I have a question about getting interpreting as a speech disabled individual (partial right side vocal cord paralysis due to Cerebral Palsy) does anyone know how I can request either a virtual interpreter or in person interpreter as a hearing but mostly Non-speaking person, I recently did finally get access to a VRS (and just as a refresher, I have CVI which is why other solutions don't work for me, but ASL does, this is different from person to person with CVI, this is just my personal case)

So i was wanting to be an interpreter but i have been reading on Reddit that the field is struggling, Pay is low and its unsustainable , not to mention expensive to get into the field . I have also seen on the news almost 50 percent of interpreters are leaving the profession. What is going on to where all this is happening? Do you all recommend this career for a single person on one income? Why did you as an interpreter leave or decide to stay ? If you have left what do you do instead and at what moment did you realize the field was not suitable and just left together. Also For those in itps , did you stick to your tip or did you leave your program and why?

The division I work in sorenson just slashed hours to zero, for many people regardless of longevity in the division. There was a vague email sent mentioning the possibility of reduced hours, no warning that we’d have nothing at all.

Ironically, as I type this, I’ve received the 8th email asking for last minute help to jump online because they are understaffed.

Management knew the slashes were happening conveniently right before the thanksgiving holiday. Many people are disheartened to have this happen right at the holiday season.

I understand business needs change, but I will not pretend interpreters have been viewed as much more than cogs in a machine. I am wondering if the VRS side is experiencing similar jolting cuts? Some have speculated that this was done to drive people back to VRS.

Hi all,

A kind commenter on another thread I made freaking out about my future suggested I pursue ASL interpreting. If you want more context about my situation you can look at the most recent post in my post history. Long story short, I was accepted into a great program for translating and interpreting Russian, but was discouraged by grads of that program for a few reasons. The biggest one was AI. I'm quickly approaching a crossroads in my life career-wise, and I will have to turn left or right pretty soon. January 15th, 2025, to be exact. I would really like to make this work if I can, but I also don't want to spend 3-4 years studying the language and best practices in interpreting only to come out into a dead job market. Advice would be greatly appreciated.

I am in Southern CA. I have two good interpreting program BA’s in my area. I have been thinking about experiencing living somewhere else for a couple years. I know Gallaudet is an option and I am applying there. Do you guys have any other ideas. I am fed up with LA! lol.

Hey all! Does anyone know if there's been research about ASL interpreters and youth music education? From my anecdotal observations it seems like many of us played instruments growing up (saxophone here). I'd imagine that the hand eye coordination would be transferable to interpreting, but found myself curious about whether there have been any studies on the subject.

Birmingham, Alabama terps….hows the job market? Pay estimates for new interpreters? I’m not certified but will be finishing at GU with a BA degree. I appreciate any info!

How do those of you who fail wait 6 months at a time to take a test again? I don’t know if I feel like waiting another 6 months , driving for 4 hours to take an hour test and spending another couple hundred non refundable .

Hello,

I came across an interesting article the other day and wanted to share. It raises some important issues on VRS companies, specifically Z/P. I found it to be pretty truthful and I'm happy to see someone using a platform to call them out. I encourage you to read it when you have a chance, as it really does impact all of us. It's worrisome when companies that impact the Deaf community are not invested in the people they serve, nor the people who work for them. Feel free to type any thoughts in the comments. Thanks.

https://workdaymagazine.org/wall-street-took-over-a-vital-sign-language-service-and-started-union-busting/

How it normally goes? Do you interpret at the beginning and then leave the room, or do you stay there the whole time? What if the patient has to remove his / her clothes?

My boyfriend uses interpreters for doctor appointments because he’s Deaf , the other day he saw a cardiologist and told me at some point he had to take his shirt off, so that’s actually why this question popped into my head! I wonder if the interpreter (who was a woman btw) was there during that or not. I don’t want to ask him because i had jealousy issues in the past and I don’t want him to think I’m being jealous again , because I’m really not, I’m just curious.

Hi, everyone! I wish I could make this anonymous, but I’ll try to keep this as vague as possible!

I have an intermediate license, and I’ve been working freelance 1.5 years, and I just got a salaried position! I would receive insurance, benefits, and the whole nine yards, but I plan to be on my father’s insurance until I turn 26. The salary is $50,000, and it’s a set salary (meaning if I opt out of insurance, it’s still the same).

Is this a good salary? I know people who have a lower license and less experience than me that are getting paid more. (I understand we do not do this for the money, but a girl is drowning in student debt)

TIA!

Hi everyone! I am an interpreting student, getting pretty close to finishing my schooling and for one of my classes we have to interview a professional interpreter. If you’re interested please let me know, we can do a phone call, zoom call, or even written out in DMs. Thanks!

I’m looking into getting a business credit card. There aren’t a lot of purchases this field has to make but would like to earn some cash back on some of the purchases.

Any recommendations?

For those of you that learned ASL as an adult, what was your path? I have one year where I can focus on this intensively (will continue, of course, after that year but this year could be full immersion). I looked at spending a year at Gallaudet but I cannot find anything that focuses on this for one year. Any suggestions? I will have a bachelors degree (unrelated to ASL) and I have completed a continuing education intermediate certification in ASL through our local university and l have also done some volunteer work with deaf children but my ASL needs A LOT of work. I welcome guidance from this group. I should add that my goal is become an interpreter. TIA.

Anyone familiar with the work culture and vibes at University of Rochester? How do you like it? Just curious I'm possibly relocating

They’re recruiters who are offering Educational VRI Interpreting jobs. Does anyone have experience with them? Are they similar to Soliant, VocoVision, etc.? Are there any similar companies that you have had a good experience with? Thank you!

Hi friends, I have been under a lot of anxiety and stress all month and I cope by picking my cuticles. I know it’s wrong and gross and def not ideal for someone who wants a career where I need my fingers, but I digress🥲. I don’t need anxiety advice. Just looking for durable bandaids that have been tried and true.

I’m a Black woman, so any that are maybe darker skin toned is a huge bonus. Reviews on Amazon don’t mention being enjoyed/preferred by interpreters so 😅

I’m also okay with the answer being “Just take the bandaids off if they aren’t actively bleeding.”

In my city, several of the big agencies are making a switch from freelance to W2. I don't have to pay taxes and I get sick time? Yay! Agencies are negotiating lower hourly rates (b/c they pay more taxes?) Boo! but I don't know what's right and fair. Terps that went from 1099 to W2 for agencies whats your experience?

Does anyone have any resources for LSM? I need mostly conversational right now but I will take anything. Working with a multilingual client and I would like to be able to bridge the gap as much as humanly possible until we can get a Deaf Hispanic team involved.

TLDR: Does anyone have any advice for mentoring other interpreters? Especially those little golden nuggets that have helped you.

I am at a point in my interpreting career where I want to mentor new interpreters and students, but I just feel like I don't know how to do it and it intimidates me. I've had very informal mentors who have given me amazing advice and I would plan to use that, but I never had formal mentoring. I don't plan to charge money for mentoring, I would just like to give back to the interpreting community and I may have more opportunities to mentor at my current job as well. Does anyone have any advice for mentoring other interpreters? Especially those little golden nuggets that have helped you.

Curious, as I always see the same low hourly rates ($30-40/hr) on job postings and yet school districts wonder why the positions are unfilled (aside from a shortage, there is a gap in inflation and pay rates across the board).

I recently accepted a job out of necessity that was offering $38/hr 1099, no benefits and the burden of higher taxes. I found out this agency charges the client $130/hr for this position. I negotiated to $50 which is still under my local rate. I understand the role of agencies, but to make that substantial of a cut is outrageous. $39 hr vs $130?! They also fed me some 'well the client only has x budget" when I initially set my normal hourly rate, which I empathized with, until I got internal info how much the agency is billing for.

What can we do as a profession, without unionization, to bring up our pay rate proportional to the increased cost of living, inflation, and lack of benefits for 1099? It doesn’t help how hush hush RID tries to be about pay rate discussions either. You'd think they'd want interpreters to discuss it more openly so there was an industry standard, which would benefit the Deaf community; less under qualified interpreters undercutting/underbidding experienced seasoned interpreters.

(Yes, I am aware about aslpay but many have complaints still with their website).

While driving, you witness a car accident, so you stop to see if you can help. In the first car, there’s a deaf couple. They say they’re fine, just a few bumps and scratches. You then go to the second car. The driver looks like he’s dead, and the passenger is badly injured. Just then the police and an ambulance arrive and you direct them to the second car first. The police want to get your statement since you witnessed the accident. When the police attempt to talk to the deaf couple, they ask you to interpret for them. You have just given a statement indicating they were driving on the wrong side of the road.

Ethically, what would you do?

I know enough of ASL to be able to talk to most people slowly. I know more PSE grammar but want to learn more vocabulary and ASL grammar to be able to talk with more speed and accuracy.

I am looking for free resources (until I can pay) to be able to gain more receptive skills, grammar, and vocabulary.

Thank you in advance!

Hi there. I am about to start on my journey of becoming an interpreter which I am very excited about. I am curious if anyone has any knowledge/tips/advice on specializing in therapeutic interpreting?

My ultimate dream end goal would to become a therapist for deaf kids and their families.

In my head the gist (I understand there’s steps inbetween) of the route that makes the most sense would be to:

-get my interpreters certification -specialize interpreting in therapy settings -work doing that while I’m still in school to become a therapist

At the very least, I would be getting the chance to work in two fields I love and needed as a young HoH girl myself. But if this isn’t the best route to go or if there is anything I should be aware of I would love any input. Thanks!

Hey all! I just have a couple of questions to ask, thanks in advance!

Is there any value in receiving a CoreCHI certification if the state I work in doesn’t require it?

Is there any value in receiving a BEI - Medical Certificate if my states don’t require that to work medical settings?

Anyone here is a freelance deaf tutor? I wonder which platforms you use to find job opportunities