 ID: DSHS Logo next to text: ASL Interpreter Shortage Workgroup. Subgroup Weekly Updates. Image: a BIPOC Woman is signing "weekly." Tap to watch in ASL
VIDEO LINK
The Washington Signed, ProTactile, and Trilingual Interpreter Workgroup met on February 5 to review decisions made during the Solutions Summit and make plans for the rest of the month. The group discussed next steps, such as gathering information, finalizing recommended solutions and making sure diverse and marginalized communities’ perspectives are prioritized in the legislative report. The workgroup will finish their work by the end of February 2025.
Survey and Community Input
A community survey is open until February 14, 2025. Please share the survey widely to help people provide their experiences, recommendations and proposed solutions for the legislative action report. The survey link is here:
The DeafBlind Service Center (https://www.seattledbsc.org/) has offered to provide DeafBlind people the ability to complete the survey. Contact DBSC if you need Deaf Interpreter or Communication Facilitator support for the survey.
Developing the Legislative Report
The legislative report aims to guide future advocacy and provide a roadmap for legislators and community members to collaborate in developing effective, short and long-term solutions to the interpreter shortage.
The report will include workgroup recommendations and insights from workgroup meetings, focus group interviews, and information from the survey. The report will suggest proposed actions for legislators to consider. Legislative report development will begin in March and the final report will be submitted to the legislature in June. The English language report will be posted for public review in July; the ASL translation will be posted shortly afterwards.
ODHH will train Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing coalition members, interpreters and community members on how to work with legislators to implement the report's proposed legislative, policy, community-based and organizational solutions. The trainings will take place starting in summer through winter 2025.
Representation and Language
The Department of Social and Health Services is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. ODHH will ensure the legislative report prioritizes the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities and interpreting professionals appropriately. Recommendations will prioritize marginalized communities and align with state goals.
Legislative Priorities and Recommendations
The legislative report will detail specific challenges and proposed recommendations and actions to help meet these challenges. The issues include:
- The limited availability of sign language interpreters and the various challenges to becoming an interpreter.
- Recommendations to develop training programs to help more prospective sign language interpreters enter the field.
- Recommendations for more education and internship opportunities for future sign language interpreters.
- Action plans to support community advocacy for better policies and support.
Next Steps
The weekly ASL video series will continue to keep the community updated on the workgroup’s progress. The next workgroup meeting is on February 19, 2025. Topics will include:
- Preliminary report summaries.
- Preparation for final recommendations.
- Final work to be completed.
Workgroup Reports
The group focused on several areas:
- Strategies for distributing a survey and generating outreach ideas.
- Support for a Seattle-based Interpreter Training Program due to its proximity to the DeafBlind community.
- The need for expanded professional development on legal issues, and opportunities to build upon existing training for educational interpreters.
- A need for further research into ODHH’s Qualified Deaf Interpreters program, including system improvements and additional training for Deaf Interpreters.
- The importance of engaging Trilingual and ProTactile Interpreters in training efforts.
- Rural Interpreting Professional Development and Support
The workgroup also explored creative ideas in all areas, like a "traveling interpreter" program, like traveling nurses. They also looked at successful programs, such as the Colorado Rural Interpreter Skills Enhancement Project and the Improving Rural Interpreter Skills Project.
SURVEY CLOSES February 14, 2025
The community survey is open until February 14, 2025. Please share the survey widely to help people provide their experiences, recommendations and proposed solutions for the legislative action report. The survey link is here:
Accessibility: We are dedicated to ensuring equitable and inclusive access. Our meetings and events are available in ASL, spoken English, and with captioning. Additionally, other signed and spoken languages are offered. For more information or specific requests, please contact us at [email protected].
ODHH requests community feedback regarding alternatives for “stakeholders” terminology. Fill out a short two-question survey.
Who We Are: The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) provides programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State.
What We Do: ODHH operates under the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and is entrusted with fulfilling its legislative mandate outlined in RCW 43.20A.725. ODHH’s work includes:
Advocacy: ODHH advocates for the rights, interests, and needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled. The Office works to eliminate communication barriers and promote equal opportunities in various service areas, including training, consultation, contract management, information and referrals, and resources to promote communication equity.
Coordination: ODHH is a centralized resource. The Office collaborates with governmental, business, and community stakeholders to develop and implement policies, programs, and initiatives that address and ensure that state services and resources are accessible and inclusive to all Washingtonians.
Contact Us!
800-422-7930 Voice
425-461-3603 Videophone
[email protected]
|
