The use of a hearing-Deaf interpreting team is increasingly a best practice standard in the interpreting field. The combination of a native user of American Sign Language and a highly-qualified hearing interpreter ensures high-quality, effective communication. There are many instances where a Deaf Interpreting Team may be preferred or even essential regardless of the Deaf person's language or educational level. Legal, mental health, and health care situations and situations involving children are prime examples. A Deaf interpreter may also be important when participating in the broadcast of emergency information to the public. 

 

Occasionally, individuals in the Deaf community utilize a unique or limited form of sign language not familiar to the professional sign language interpreter. Deaf children or those with minimum exposure to language require a native language user in order facilitate communication effectively. The Deaf person may be from another country and not fluent in ASL, or the individual may have a physical or mental condition that limits communication range. In these situations, having a Deaf Interpreting Team is absolutely essential.  

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Our highly-qualified staff has both the expertise and the personal knowledge of our community and can help you determine what best serves the Deaf individual. Additionally, we have staff trained to perform language assessments that help establish a person's preferred and best language both expressively and receptively and may identify any cognitive issues as well.