FAQs
See Frequently Asked Questions.
Zoom’s Sign Language Interpreting View
There are still some limitations with Zoom’s Sign Language interpreting view. The biggest disadvantage is that the interpretation will not show up in a recording. The interpreter will also not be able to turn on their mic automatically leaving it up to hearing presenters to open the mic or having a second thread that can access a mic. This may create problems for equal access to communication.
Here is the link to Zoom’s information about the option: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/9513103461005-Enabling-Sign-Language-interpretation-view
Hiring deaf IS interpreters is an investment in international development.
Hiring deaf IS interpreters models international competency to the deaf community, provides jobs, demonstrates human rights, and connects the deaf community across the world. As you hire more deaf people, the community has to build their skills to match the demand in this market. They then feed deaf from developing countries with role models on how to access communication that connects them to the rest of the world. They gain access to funding that lifts them out of the poverty cycle, builds global competence, and supports development efforts.
Deaf people have long been left out of international exchange and conversations because of the high costs of interpreting. Hiring deaf interpreters for your events is one of the lowest cost ways to begin to change that dynamic.
Ironically, most deaf people are already highly skilled in managing two cultures through interpreters, deaf and hearing. With more access and exposure to international opportunities, they may lend us all greater insight on language access and boundaries. Hiring deaf interpreters for your events is one of the lowest cost ways to begin to change that dynamic.
As you work to justify the budget for sign language interpreters, perhaps you might suggest this budgetary line item as an investment in international development as a whole and to the deaf community specifically, rather than only an investment in access generally.
Linguistic Roots of Sign Languages Across the World
Here is a map of the linguistic roots of sign languages across the world: Tegnsprogenes Stamtræ (Text is in Danish with flags.)
Active Signed Languages Across the World
Here is a list of 142 signed languages across the globe. There may be more, including dialects, yet undiscovered.
Signed Languages Across the Globe Signed Languages Across the GlobeBrief History of Signed Languages and Their Spread.
Signed Languages History Signed Languages HistoryHistory of sign language History of sign language
Legally Recognized Signed Languages Around the World
Take a look at this map and list of where signed languages are legally recognized around the world.
Legally Recognized Signed Languages Legally Recognized Signed LanguagesBest Practices for Integrating Live Captioning on Virtual Platforms
Integrating CART/Live Captioning on Virtual Platforms
Captioners can use both the built-in Zoom (or other platform) captioning and a separate livestream link to follow along at their leisure. They also provide meeting transcripts by request. Captioners work in a wide variety of virtual platforms so they likely have worked with your platform before. If you have meeting specific technology requirements, please contact us via our contact form or through email so we can answer your specific questions.Quality Standards for Live Broadcast Captioning
Here are the latest U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Caption Quality Standards:
FCC Captioning Quality Standards FCC Captioning Quality StandardsAm I required to caption my event/programming?
In the United States:
Pertinent ADA Section for Title II entities (state and local governments) and Title III entities (business and nonprofit organizations that serve the public).
ADA Title II and Title III Entities Requirements
ADA Title II and Title III Entities Requirements
FCC Rules Regarding IP-Delivered Video Programming FCC Rules Regarding IP-Delivered Video Programming
FCC Guidelines for Captioning Internet Video Programming FCC Guidelines for Captioning Internet Video Programming
What should I expect from my CART Captioner?
The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has established a CART Consumer Bill of Rights.
NCRA CART Consumer Bill of Rights NCRA CART Consumer Bill of RightsWhat is CART or realtime captioning?
CART stands for Communication Access Realtime Translation
What is it?
Human-generated simultaneous translation of spoken English into readable text. Captioning provides accessibility to audio information for people who are deaf/hard of hearing whose first language is English, as well as English speakers with different native languages. It also benefits individuals with cognitive or motor challenges, as well as those with other communication barriers.How to add closed captioning to a video yourself?
Provide better quality access for your audience by adding closed captioning.
The Problem
The automatic YouTube closed captioning option is almost always incorrect at some point during the video and can be frustrating for audience members who rely on the captioning for access.The Solution
YouTube allows you to add closed captioning.Here are the YouTube instructions for adding closed captioning.
YouTube Instructions YouTube Instructions
We provide the service to create your captioned file to upload. Request services Request Closed Captioned File of Your Video Request Closed Captioned File of Your Video
The law in the United States Regarding Sign Language Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Americans with Disabilities Act
Title II,III (US Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division)
“The ADA requires that title II entities (State and local governments) and title III entities (businesses and nonprofit organizations that serve the public) communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities. The goal is to ensure that communication with people with these disabilities is equally effective as communication with people without disabilities….- Covered entities must provide auxiliary aids and services when needed to communicate effectively with people who have communication disabilities….
- For people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or are deaf-blind, this includes providing a qualified notetaker; a qualified sign language interpreter, oral interpreter, cued-speech interpreter, or tactile interpreter; real-time captioning; written materials; or a printed script of a stock speech (such as given on a museum or historic house tour). A “qualified” interpreter means someone who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively (i.e., understanding what the person with the disability is saying) and expressively (i.e., having the skill needed to convey information back to that person) using any necessary specialized vocabulary….”
The National Association of the Deaf provides Resources, Guidelines, and further Explanation.
Resources ResourcesThe International Standards for Providing Sign Language Interpreters for the Deaf
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Article – 9 Access (United Nations: Division for Social Policy and Development Disability)
- To enable persons with disabilities to live independently and participate fully in all aspects of life, States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas….
- States Parties shall also take appropriate measures: e) To provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to buildings and other facilities open to the public;…
The World Federation of the Deaf provides further guidelines and resources for the international deaf community.
Resources ResourcesHow do I manage interpreting and captioning costs?
We work with organizations, institutions, and businesses to reduce costs to reach more deaf and hard of hearing throughout the world.
We offer a Rewards program to help bring down your costs. See this link for details.
We offer financial rewards (bonus discounts) for multiple requests and for hiring more than 3 deaf interpreters in a month. We also referral rewards and additional discounts for large numbers of requests (20 or more) within a month.Rewards Program Details Rewards Program Details
This report highlights the ways that employing people with disabilities and providing them access have far reaching benefits, including financial.
The Guardian reported, “At a parliamentary meeting on the case for disability-inclusive development three years ago, one MP playing devil’s advocate said: “Yes, but isn’t this all too costly?”….
Continue Reading Continue ReadingWhy should I hire a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)?
The Huffington Post published this Frequently Asked Questions quick-start guide to the role of Certified Deaf Interpreters..
“Since the beginning of time, across all civilizations, it has been necessary for people who are deaf to take an active role as advocates. For this historically marginalized group, fighting for their rights (and the rights of others) has always been a matter of survival. There are times when the only person who can really understand a deaf individual is another person who is deaf. This is true when it comes to language skills (since not everyone uses formal American Sign Language), and it is also true when it comes to recognizing and navigating instances of institutional oppression….” -Lydia Callis
Continue Reading Continue ReadingThe Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf provides the standards deaf interpreters must meet.
Standards StandardsWhat is the role of a sign language interpreter?
From the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI)
From the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI)
“The role of the interpreter is to interpret between people who use a signed language and a spoken language and provide complete and accurate information both to Deaf and hearing people. In order to work effectively as an interpreter it is important that the interpreter focus on impartially performing their interpreting work. Interpreters provide interpretation including all of the content, contextual information in order to realize the communication goals of the persons involved in the interaction and improve conditions for productive communication to both sides….”Read Full Context Read Full Context
What is International Sign (IS)?
International Sign Definition
From the World International Sign (IS) is a contact variety of sign language used in a variety of different contexts, particularly at international meetings such as the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) congress, events such as the Deaflympics, in video clips produced by Deaf people and watched by other Deaf people from around the world, and informally when travelling and socialising. It can be seen as a pidgin form of sign language, which is not as conventionalised or complex as natural sign languages and has a limited lexicon. Dr. Robert Adam, WFD Sign Language Expert, April 2014
The European Union of the Deaf provides a more in-depth explanation of International Sign (IS).
EU Explanation EU ExplanationThe World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) lists standards and a list of accredited IS interpreters.
Accredited IS Interpreters Accredited IS InterpretersBest Practices for Virtual Sign Language Interpreting and Captioning
Best Practices for Integrating Sign Language Interpreters and Captioners into Virtual Platforms
Deaf-led Video Tutorial (Interpreted into English).
This video tutorial will show you best practices for live ASL interpretersVideo Tutorial Video Tutorial
Zoom’s Sign Language Interpreting View
There are still some limitations with Zoom’s Sign Language interpreting view. The biggest disadvantage is that the interpretation will not show up in a recording. The interpreter will also not be able to turn on their mic automatically leaving it up to hearing presenters to open the mic or having a second thread that can access a mic. This may create problems for equal access to communication. Here is the link to Zoom’s information about the option: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/9513103461005-Enabling-Sign-Language-interpretation-viewPreparing for Your Event
Our suggestion is to hold a rehearsal of all tech/screen switches, to ensure that what the attendees are viewing is what you intend.Important Notes For Webinars:
Recording: To capture the ASL interpreters into the recording they need to be spotlighted. Pinning is not enough. You can spotlight both the interpreter and the presenter.Switching Interpreters: When the interpreters switch the most professional look we have found is to:
- Have the second interpreter turn on their video
- Change the spotlight from the 1st interpreter to the second interpreter
- Make sure the first interpreter is unspotlighted then turn off their camera
