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OSI on-site interpreting

Thought of as “traditional interpreting” you make a request, our coordination team processes it, and an interpreter arrives at your site at the appointed time.

ASL Request chooses the “best match for the need” interpreter available for the time requested. Each request will be billed as a TWO-hour minimum to defray the cost of travel. You may ask for a specific interpreter either as an ONLY or as an IF AVAILABLE. Occasionally a named interpreter may request a higher rate of compensation; If so, you will be consulted prior to the confirmation. Gender preferences can also be made as ONLY or as IF AVAILABLE. ASL Request has both Certified and Not-Yet Certified interpreters available. If no preference is stated, we reserve the right to send a QUALIFIED but Not Yet Certified Interpreter. Rates will not change. The margins for operation expenses always vary by the cost of our contractors. Our survivability is based on a balance of Staff and Contractors along with Certified and Not Yet Certified. Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Licensure (hyperlink)

NOTE: Maryland now has in place the Maryland Interpreter License Law which will mandate Certification and License in Maryland as of Jan 2025. This will cause an increase in prices and in quality and a decrease in the number of interpreters available at any given time.

VRI Remote Interpreting

Thought of as “virtual interpreting” VIS you make a request, our coordination team processes it, and an interpreter logs on to the designated platform at the appointed time. ASL Request chooses the “best match for the need” interpreter available at the time requested. Each request will be billed as a ONE-hour minimum. You may ask for a specific interpreter either as an ONLY or as an IF AVAILABLE. Occasionally a named interpreter may request a higher rate of compensation; If so, you will be consulted prior to the confirmation. Gender preferences can also be made as ONLY or as IF AVAILABLE. ASL Request has both Certified and Not-Yet Certified interpreters available. If no preference is stated, we reserve the right to send a QUALIFIED but Not Yet Certified Interpreter. Rates will not change. The margins for operation expenses always vary by the cost of our contractors. Our survivability is based on a balance of Staff and Contractor along with Certified and Not Yet Certified. (this should be a hyperlink) Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Licensure (google.com) NOTE: Maryland now has in place the Maryland Interpreter License Law (how it will apply to Virtual Assignments is not clear yet) which will mandate Certification and License in Maryland beginning Jan 2025. Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Licensure (hyperlink)

NOTE: Maryland now has in place the Maryland Interpreter License Law (how it will apply to Virtual Assignments is not clear yet) which will mandate Certification and License in Maryland beginning Jan 2025.

CDI Deaf Interpreting

Thought of as “relay interpreting” you make a request, specifically for a TEAM of interpreters. One member of the team is Deaf and one member of the team is Hearing. The team works together when the Deaf individual may not use standard ASL for a variety of reasons. The reasons may include being born in another country, medical issues such as a stroke or other mental limitations in language processing. If an appropriately skilled hearing interpreter is not available, the Deaf interpreter serves as a needed middle step to ensure accurate interpreting. This service is available for both On Site and Virtual events. Our coordination team processes it, and an interpreter arrives at your site or logged in to the designated platform at the appointed time. ASL Request will help you determine if a CDI is needed for YOUR event. The “best match for the need” interpreters available at the time requested. Each request will be billed per interpreter following the protocol and pricing for On Site or Virtual. You may ask for a specific interpreter either as an ONLY or as an IF AVAILABLE. Occasionally a named interpreter may request a higher rate of compensation; If so, you will be consulted prior to the confirmation. Gender preferences can also be made as ONLY or as IF AVAILABLE. ASL Request has both Certified and Not-Yet Certified interpreters available. If no preference is stated, we reserve the right to send a QUALIFIED but Not Yet Certified Interpreter. Rates charged will be per interpreter. The margins for operation expenses always vary by the cost of our contractors. Our survivability is based on a balance of Staff and Contractors along with Certified and Not Yet Certified. Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Licensure (hyperlink)

NOTE: Maryland now has in place the Maryland Interpreter Law which will mandate CERTIFICATION and License in Maryland as of Jan 2025. At that point, we do expect a price increase based on the interpreter’s demands.

Cued Language

Thought of as “cued speech transliteration” you make a request, our coordination team processes it, and a qualified transliterator arrives at your site at the appointed time. Cued language transliterators provide deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers who have been trained on a specific language facilitation system access to all audible features of spoken English. ASL Request chooses the “best match for the need” transliterators available at the time requested. Each request will be billed as a TWO-hour minimum to defray the cost of travel. You may ask for a specific transliterator either as an ONLY or as an IF AVAILABLE. Occasionally a named transliterator may request a higher rate of compensation; If so, you will be consulted prior to the confirmation. Gender preferences can also be made as ONLY or as IF AVAILABLE. ASL Request has both Certified and Not-Yet Certified cued speech transliterators available. Due to the high demand and the unique communication modality, it is very important that you follow the guidelines of two-week advance notice. If no preference is stated, we reserve the right to send a QUALIFIED but Not Yet Certified Interpreter. Rates will not change. The margins for operation expenses always vary by the cost of our contractors. Our survivability is based on a balance of Staff and Contractor along with Certified and Not Yet Certified. Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Licensure (hyperlink)

Cued Speech Transliterators are not mentioned in the Law, but that could change by the time the committee writes all the regulations.

Tactile Intepreting

Thought of as “hand over hand interpreting” used with individuals who are Deaf and Blind. As Always, you make a request and our coordination team will complete the process. An interpreter with specialized training and skill will arrive at your site at the appointed time. ASL Request chooses the “best match for the need” interpreter available at the time requested. Each request will be billed as a TWO-hour minimum at a slightly higher rate to defray the cost of travel and the specialized training. You may ask for a specific interpreter either as an ONLY or as an IF AVAILABLE. Occasionally a named interpreter may request a higher rate of compensation; If so, you will be consulted prior to the confirmation. Gender preferences and hand dominance can also be made as ONLY or as IF AVAILABLE. ASL Request has both Certified and Not-Yet Certified interpreters available. If no preference is stated, we reserve the right to send a QUALIFIED but Not Yet Certified Interpreter. Rates will not change. The margins for operation expenses always vary by the cost of our contractors. Our survivability is based on a balance of Staff and Contractor along with Certified and Not Yet Certified. Maryland Sign Language Interpreter Licensure (hyperlink)

NOTE: Maryland now has in place the Maryland Interpreter Law which will mandate CERTIFICATION and License in Maryland as of Jan 2025. This will cause an increase in prices and in quality and a decrease in the number of interpreters available at any given time.

Our Rates and Policies

Why are the Rates Lower than the Competition? Because our focus is on a limited geographic area allowing for an increased number of appointments per day. A state-of-the-art scheduling system and a sizeable number of contractors who can “pick a job” off the announcement board, allows the office to run with minimal management. QuickBooks interfacing with our scheduling system means no need for bookkeeper.

How will I get Billed? Typically, the paying party is the business entity. If you are the paying entity (usually the requester of services) you will receive an invoice via email following the assignment. Payment is due Upon Receipt. You can pay via credit card online, third party app, bank transfer, hard check.

Why do I have to Pay for Cancellations? When you make a request, the interpreter reserves a block of time for the appointment. During this reserved time, he or she is unable to confirm any other appointments as they are already booked. If there is a cancellation less than 48 hours before the appointment begins, there is not enough time for the interpreter to schedule the now available block of time.

Interpreting

What is Interpreting? “Interpreting is the transfer of one spoken or signed language to another. Interpreters work in a wide range or different settings – from international conferences and business meetings to courts and doctors’ surgeries.” What is interpreting? – National Network for Interpreting

Where would I go to get started? Since a college degree is required in most states to work, one should start in high school by taking sign classes, which will be introductions with chapters on Deaf Culture, Language, Jobs, etc. ASL Request recommends that before you even consider the profession, study this widely recommended text “So You Want To Be an Interpreter” Humphrey and Alcorn. So You Want To Be An Interpreter? Fourth Edition — H & H Publishing (hhpublishingonline.com)

What Qualifications do Interpreters have? Qualified interpreters must have near native language competency, complete a college degree, obtain national certification through a testing process, and meet continuing education requirements as well as membership in the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). In many states a working interpreter must also have a license to practice interpreting. This is much like a license in any other professional field. Maryland recently passed a state license law which requires interpreters to be Nationally Certified by RID or The BEI. Dues to RID must be current, CEU requirements for each certification must be current. There is a fee for the state license and a review process in the likely event of a complaint involving skills or behavior.

What are the “dangers” of working as an interpreter? Many Interpreters are not able to work long hours or even for that many years due to the high number of incidents of repetitive motion injury. Since interpreters tend to work as independent contractors, though more and more they opt for staff employment for stability, insurance (of all kinds), paid holidays, retirement money. Since the early 1990s interpreters have demanded to be hired in teams of 2 or more to prolong their career.

RID - The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

What is RID? www.rid.org
Founded in 1964, it is a member driven, professional organization focused on “Serving equally our members, the profession, and the public by promoting and advocating for qualified and effective interpreters in all spaces where intersectional diverse Deaf lives are impacted.” RID 2023

How does RID help interpreters?
RID maintains a searchable database of Interpreters, Agencies, Workshops, Presenters, State Laws etc. To put it simply, they are the resource clearing house for interpreters and the “sales” force when an individual seeks to hire an interpreter. The organization also tracks Continuing Education Credits, Membership, Certification, Dues and Complaints both technical and ethical. There is a committee called Ethical Practice Standards which is the investigatory body and ultimately the judge and jury in applying the standards of the Code of Professional Conduct against the complaint filed. They also decide what consequences the interpreter will face and set a timeline to complete the tasks, if any.

Sign Language

What is Sign Language? www.youtube sign language lessons

Dictionary noun - A system of communication using visual gestures and signs, as used by deaf people. American Sign Language is a unique language with specific rules of grammar. There are hundreds of unique signed languages in the World. Like any other language interpretation from language A to language B there are not 1:1 correlations but rather an equivalent message in each language.

William C. Stokoe Jr. – changed the course of American Sign Language history. Before Stokoe, ASL was not seen as a real language. It was seen as meaningless gestures or pantomime and because of this, ASL wasn’t even considered for use in the education of deaf children–a type of education they so greatly need. And not only did Stokoe prove that ASL was a language at that time, his books also proved that Deaf culture is a real culture! Stokoe truly played a major part in the history of sign language. Start ASL .

Cued Speech

What is Cued Speech ? cued language - - Video Search Results (yahoo.com)

Cued Speech is a visual system of communication used with and among deaf or hard of hearing people. It is a phonemic-based system which makes traditionally spoken languages accessible by using a small number of hand shapes, know as cues (representing consonants), in different locations near the mouth (representing vowels) to convey spoken language in a visual formal. Wikipedia

ADA Law

What is the ADA law and when was it passed? Americans with Disabilities Act became a law in 1990 and it mandates that private companies provide interpreters and other supports based on the individuals need. The goal of the law is to provide equal access to all goods and services regardless of disability.

Why do we need to Pay for Interpreters? Please see the question and response related to qualifications of an interpreter. Most Interpreters work full time based (full time for interpreters is 25hrs per week) on the demands, carry professional liability insurance and pay for their own travel expenses as well invoicing costs and services including legal and tax professionals.

Why Must we provide Interpreters for our Deaf Patients? The Americans with Disabilities Act, specifically Title III related to communication access states that any private business, for profit or not for profit enterprises are treated equally under this law. All entities must provide qualified interpreters to their Deaf and hard of hearing customers, patients and employees.

The Deaf patient should bring a family member to Interpret for them, shouldn’t they? Just as patients should not be related to their doctors due to a risk of conflict of interest, lack of patient privacy and impartiality, the interpreter should not be a family member of the patient. In very rare situations we may find a situation so unique that a family member or close friend might be relied on to support the professional Interpreter. One such case would be a family member who is deaf and blind and completely unaware of formal sign language who has relied on family created signs which are termed “home signs”. They may use their voice to speak the language they used in their home country and we would work to find a spoken language interpreter to work as part of the team. It would be impossible to find an interpreter with knowledge of the signs used by the family. There are CDIs which might be called to assist in the process as well. Please see the notes about CDIs in the services we offer.

Deaf Culture

What is Deaf Culture? Deaf culture is the set of social beliefs, behaviors, art, literary traditions, history, values, and shared institutions of communities that are influenced by deafness and which use sign languages as the main means of communication. Wikipedia

Deaf culture in the United States tends to be collectivist rather than individualist; culturally Deaf people value the group. Culturally Deaf people have rules of etiquette for getting attention, walking through signed conversations, leave-taking, and otherwise politely negotiating a signing environment. (American Academy of Pediatrics) Deaf culture meets all five sociological criteria (language, values, traditions, norms and identity) for defining a culture. (Padden, 1980)

News From The Director's Desk

Full Post Here

8/8/23 8/8/23 We welcome Mr. Gordon Watkins as the new webmaster ! His ideas and work have brought new excitement to our future. Please see his profile in the Meet the team section.

8/8/23
ASL Request is working on a new tab called “Just for our Heros, The Interpreters” This will have resources for you, the independent contractor to get you started. You will find tax forms, contractor agreements, registration forms, workshops we endorse, videos about using the ScheduleInterpreter System.

8/6/23
As a vendor for the state of Maryland court system and other office of the state, we have launched a mentorship program, more details to follow! So far, we have 6 interpreters who have signed up. Many more have expressed interest.

8/1/23
Even though we survived COVID, work is still sluggish. We welcome any referrals you have. We will pay you a 2% commission on any work you refer for 10 years. It all adds up. If the entity is your personal client, you will remain the preferred interpreter. If the entity is a business-to-business referral, your company will get $200.00 worth of service for free once the new company has requested and paid for $500.00 worth or service.

• $300 invoice money back to you (interpreter): $6.00 x 12 months: $72.00
• 3 clients ? $216.00 for the year if equal to example above
• 1 University invoice might be $10,000.00 / month. $200.00/month 8 Months a year $1,600.00 per year (4 years of college $6,400.00)

NAD

National Association of the Deaf

RID

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

PCRID

Potomac’s Chapter of RID

National Deaf News

National Deaf News

Deaf Legal News

Deaf Legal News