Kat Vickers here.
Working on Interpreting Consolidated’s November newsletter…focusing on Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) and Deaf Interpreters (DIs). Where to start is always the toughest part…I began by reflecting on 2025, and all of my experiences leading up to this point in my interpreting career and life.
At the beginning of 2025, I was one of several people to be involved with the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) workgroup to discuss the shortage of sign language interpreters in Washington State. Looking back at those meetings, I realize how inclusive and accessible ODHH made each online meeting: for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and hearing individuals. The workgroup was several months, accumulating in legislation to be submitted to the state. The meetings were always in American Sign Language, ASL; several available for the general public to join.
Let me explain what I mean by accessible online meetings:
- ODHH provided Certified Hearing Interpreters, to interpret from ASL to English.
- ODHH provided Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs), to interpret from ASL to ASL. The CDIs had a black background, and were always displayed next to the other person signing. The black background allowed consistency for folks who are DeafBlind or LowVision. *(see below for more).
- ODHH provided Pro-Tactile interpreters to those who were DeafBlind or LowVision. These interpreters were in-person with their client.
- ODHH limited the number of people on the screen. Primarily one person adding comments or leading the discussion and the CDI.
- ODHH limited the use of the chat feature.
- ODHH provided Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART): an ongoing transcript, with the option to change the background color as well as the font color and the font size.
- ODHH required each participant to describe their appearance/background before continuing with their comments, allowing those who are DeafBlind or LowVision access to that information that sighted folks can easily gather.
- ODHH sent out the powerpoint slides before the meeting.
Wednesday, November 5th I popped online for RID’s Special Membership Meeting…it was a wild ride. If you missed it, November 19 is the next one: several motions to be discussed/voted on and a continued learning adventure for all involved.
It was after the RID meeting that I recognized and deeply appreciated the effort by ODHH to ensure these meetings are accessible for all people. Those workgroup meetings required around eight to twelve interpreters.
Often, people not involved in the interpreting profession (even those who are) do not see the benefit of utilizing CDIs/DIs. I was guilty of that too. I hope we are all able to reflect on our experiences a bit and recognize the privileges we possess.
*From the Deaf Interpreter Institute and the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers (NCIEC):
“A Deaf Interpreter is a specialist who provides interpreting, translation, and transliteration services in American Sign Language and other visual and tactual communication forms used by individuals who are Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and Deaf-Blind.
As a Deaf person, the Deaf Interpreter starts with a distinct set of formative linguistic, cultural, and life experiences that enables nuanced comprehension and interaction in a wide range of visual language and communication forms influenced by region, culture, age, literacy, education, class, and physical, cognitive, and mental health.
These experiences coupled with professional training give the Deaf interpreter the ability to effect successful communication across all types of interpreted interactions, both routine and high risk. NCIEC studies indicate that in many situations, use of a Deaf Interpreter enables a level of linguistic and cultural bridging that is often not possible when hearing ASL-English interpreters work alone.
Currently, Deaf Interpreters work most often in tandem with hearing interpreters. The Deaf-Hearing interpreter team ensures that the spoken language message reaches the Deaf consumer in a language or communication form that he or she can understand, and that the Deaf consumer’s message is conveyed successfully in the spoken language.”
Heading into 2026, I feel the signing community is energized to improve. I can feel it in my local Longview/Kelso community, across the state of Washington, and throughout RID and NAD. I hope we continue working together, respecting everyone’s needs and taking the time to understand our privileges…sighted, hearing, and white to name a few for me.
Interested in studying to become a CDI? Check out Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) Certificate in Deaf Interpreting: https://www.rit.edu/ntid/aslie/cidi.
Job opportunities for CDIs/DIs in Canada: https://www.apsea.ca/.
