By Kat Vickers, NIC
August 2024
As a freelance American Sign Language-English Interpreter, one word I find floating in my mind before, during, and after an assignment is “accountability”. What does that really mean to me? Accountability to the D/deaf clients, the interpreting profession, our peers and hiring entities: where does it start?
Before accepting an assignment, I run through a quick list of mental questions. Here are a few examples:
- What is the topic of the assignment? Are my ASL and interpreting skills up to par for this assignment?
- Do I have a little flexibility in my schedule, before and after the assignment, to meet with the clients in advance to discuss the needs or debrief after?
- What is the D/deaf client’s language preference?
- How many other participants are involved? Would two interpreters be beneficial?
I wonder if other interpreters have the same mental checklist before accepting assignments. I find this fundamental aspect lacking in some colleagues with whom I have worked.
What about the agencies, VRS companies, and all hiring entities? Who is holding them accountable for good business practices within our interpreting profession?
- Are they hiring interpreters with certification or hiring the less expensive, sometimes meaning less qualified, interpreters?
- What is the impact on the clients, deaf and hearing?
- What is the impact on the team interpreters? Is one interpreter carrying a heavier load while interpreting?
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, RID, is our national association that oversees the ethical and professional conduct of interpreters. It provides a pathway for feedback and complaints about individual interpreters. If entities are hiring interpreters who are not members of RID, how are they being held accountable?
With the world’s focus shifting to ASL, the Deaf Community, and sign language interpreters, accountability in the interpreting profession and particularly hiring entities is essential. An accountable, collective unit of competent interpreters with standards and policies will ultimately determine the future of our profession. What are we doing to elevate our profession?
Download RID’S Code of Professional Conduct here: https://rid.org/programs/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct/.