Suggestions??
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Heidi Christensen
Apr 21, 2013, 3:05:48 PM4/21/13
to NI...@googlegroups.com
Dear esteemed colleagues,
In light of recent conversations circulating this discussion group, I would like to hear your suggestions on a business my sister and I started recently. We are focusing on finding a way to provide interpreting services in rural area where those services are limited. The problem we are facing in our area is that businesses either won’t request interpreters, or interpreters from nearby cities don’t want to drive that far and then no one is “available” for that assignment so no interpreter shows up, or the Deaf people have experienced both of these instances and don’t even bother requesting interpreters any more or can’t find a remedy for their situation so they “deal” with paper and pencil. However, when we happen to see the Deaf from this area or DO interpret for them these issues come up in conversation and it’s a problem they would like to see resolved but they don’t know how to go about it. SO, we started a business hoping to relieve and improve this particular type of situation for Deaf people in rural areas (not just our own). Have any of you encountered this issue? If so, what effective approaches did you use to solve this matter? The problem we see is you can only tout “ADA” so much because the businesses just don’t care to follow this law, and no one has done anything to make the businesses accountable so I’m sure they are thinking “why do anything?”.
When I say this is a problem, I’m talking about businesses who refuse to get interpreter services and as a result serious misunderstandings in regards to health (which in some cases was a life and death situation) occur. You want to talk about discrimination and oppression? Rural areas (at least those areas around us) are experts at this. Right now we are brainstorming how to remedy this issue and ask for your suggestions?
Thank you!
Heidi C.
Maggie Esquiroz
Apr 21, 2013, 4:01:57 PM4/21/13
to NI...@googlegroups.com
Hi Heidi!
In addition to interpreting, I am also a lawyer (please don't hold that against me LOL). Anyway, I would see if one of the Deaf people who had experienced the refusal to provide access (especially for a health situation!), try to find an attorney who might be willing to write a letter regarding ADA issues, etc. A nearby (large city) Deaf agency (we have GLAD here in L.A.) might have referral attorneys, or even try contacting someone through NAD. I am not sure what state you are in, but whatever state protections (or lack thereof) exist, the ADA is the law of the land and attorneys are subject to the requirement to provide access too! An attorney that regularly handles these types of situations would probably do a sliding scale fee arrangement or would take a matter on a contingency fee. At least I am hoping my colleagues would rise to the occasion.
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Maggie Esquiroz
hodi...@gmail.com
Apr 21, 2013, 4:36:59 PM4/21/13
to NI...@googlegroups.com, NI...@googlegroups.com
Hello!
Thank you Maggie, there are several law suits underway at the moment, but that doesn't seem to phase the general apathy. I mean it almost seems like a coalition of rebel rousers has taken the place of the businesses. Some of this is also happening in the cities not just rurally, but it seems more difficult to reach the rural areas. Often the Deaf people we have talked with don't want to be involved in anything legal (and with my limited legal knowledge I'm not sure what all the options are in that arena) so things are kind of at a stand still. Certainly not ok when communication is being cut off at the knees.
We are in Az and I will definitely look into what resources we have legally, but I'm also wondering if there are any ideas for how to spread awareness (as I'm sure most businesses may just think it's not a big deal instead of knowingly disobeying the law), or another route we can take?
Right now we are planning on informing rural businesses that there ARE services in their area (so they don't have to wait 1-2 hours for an interpreter to show up since there are several certified interpreters who live in these areas and are not being contacted), but I just feel like there's so much more that can be done...just not sure what we can do.
Other thoughts?
Heidi C.
Terri Hayes
Apr 21, 2013, 6:11:04 PM4/21/13
to hodi...@gmail.com, NI...@googlegroups.com
Ha... when it was me - I lived full time in an RV and went to the
places that needed interpreters and stayed only so long as I was
needed... or that was the goal anyway... it doesn't always work out as
well in real life as it does in our hopes... but carrying your house
around with you makes it really easy to get to somewhere else tomorrow
and then again the next day.
here's a brainstorm idea.. wholly and completely unreasonable... but
worth a (F finger throw out on the table)... (I know that has English
somewhere in my head - but for now - that'll do)
If you could find a central point to the areas you are trying to serve
and figure out a way to "place" an interpreter (or team would be
better) there (within say an hour or 2 hour radius to the specific
areas of need)... (implies multiple places out in the rurals...)
If you had a good qualified interpreter or interpreter/educator (Deaf
or hearing) that was willing to be the "guiding terp" - then you could
advertise to the recently graduating class of interpreters
(nationwide) that they can, for a pre established and agreed upon time
- get some good supported experience working if they want to come out
and spend of time --- getting some good supported experience working
(smile) in this or that rural area with a "guiding terp"...
when not working - they'd be doing skill development (both English
and ASL - and local language variants) as well as regular socializing
with the local Deaf community - which would mean you'd have to have
some plans set up to make this an educational venture and have some
plan to involve the Deaf in Edutainment opportunities.
If you offered CEUs (not too hard to create a solid learning plan
around this idea) you could probably get interpreter to come out for a
week or two or a month - for some intensive work (them on their skills
as well as in real job situations) but the result would be a "local"
viable resource for real working jobs...
Because you're offering CEUs and because you'd be targeting terps that
want experience - you would be generous to offer to pay them some
percentage of the money earned (in their name) on the real jobs - but
the interpreters would have to be able to financially support
themselves while there (food - wise)...
board would come with the position (you'd have to figure out where and
how - but an RV in a centralized resort (resort is different from
"trailer park... please keep it classy - and safe! smile)
is usually pretty cheap - +/- $250/mo on a monthly basis (often
utilities included) especially if you're commiting to pay over time...
which could be considered affordable even if the need for an
interpreter is only really needed - when you really need it and
otherwise things are pretty quiet - If you have paying customers -
you should be able to afford that - supplemented as a tax writeoff if
nothing else.
The hard parts would be finding the interpreter (or Deaf
person/interpreter) who is 1) able to provide educational skills
deveopment support to the interpreters coming for CEUs and experience
2) who are willing to make that RV their primary residence in order to
keep the system going -
although - thinking more about it - that "educator" "lead person"
would not have to always be the same person - and you could make THAT
postion an "educational/experiencial opportunity as well... (although
that lead person would have to be experienced with the local area -
know how to get places and know the Deaf people well enough to provide
the introductions with the interpreters coming for work experience.
(and be a good enough interpreter that they can model to the recent
grads coming for experienced.)
This is something I would have done.. (and might still think about
doing - in fact...) its been rolling around upstairs for a while
there's also the "how much is it going to cost" and "where are we
gonna get the money"...
which will take some list-storming... and some planning
but I am thinking that if you got something like this off the ground
as a replicable pilot (hmmm grant money??) - it would not only work -
but may well earn you back some business cashflow...
just thinking
Terri Hayes
places that needed interpreters and stayed only so long as I was
needed... or that was the goal anyway... it doesn't always work out as
well in real life as it does in our hopes... but carrying your house
around with you makes it really easy to get to somewhere else tomorrow
and then again the next day.
here's a brainstorm idea.. wholly and completely unreasonable... but
worth a (F finger throw out on the table)... (I know that has English
somewhere in my head - but for now - that'll do)
If you could find a central point to the areas you are trying to serve
and figure out a way to "place" an interpreter (or team would be
better) there (within say an hour or 2 hour radius to the specific
areas of need)... (implies multiple places out in the rurals...)
If you had a good qualified interpreter or interpreter/educator (Deaf
or hearing) that was willing to be the "guiding terp" - then you could
advertise to the recently graduating class of interpreters
(nationwide) that they can, for a pre established and agreed upon time
- get some good supported experience working if they want to come out
and spend of time --- getting some good supported experience working
(smile) in this or that rural area with a "guiding terp"...
when not working - they'd be doing skill development (both English
and ASL - and local language variants) as well as regular socializing
with the local Deaf community - which would mean you'd have to have
some plans set up to make this an educational venture and have some
plan to involve the Deaf in Edutainment opportunities.
If you offered CEUs (not too hard to create a solid learning plan
around this idea) you could probably get interpreter to come out for a
week or two or a month - for some intensive work (them on their skills
as well as in real job situations) but the result would be a "local"
viable resource for real working jobs...
Because you're offering CEUs and because you'd be targeting terps that
want experience - you would be generous to offer to pay them some
percentage of the money earned (in their name) on the real jobs - but
the interpreters would have to be able to financially support
themselves while there (food - wise)...
board would come with the position (you'd have to figure out where and
how - but an RV in a centralized resort (resort is different from
"trailer park... please keep it classy - and safe! smile)
is usually pretty cheap - +/- $250/mo on a monthly basis (often
utilities included) especially if you're commiting to pay over time...
which could be considered affordable even if the need for an
interpreter is only really needed - when you really need it and
otherwise things are pretty quiet - If you have paying customers -
you should be able to afford that - supplemented as a tax writeoff if
nothing else.
The hard parts would be finding the interpreter (or Deaf
person/interpreter) who is 1) able to provide educational skills
deveopment support to the interpreters coming for CEUs and experience
2) who are willing to make that RV their primary residence in order to
keep the system going -
although - thinking more about it - that "educator" "lead person"
would not have to always be the same person - and you could make THAT
postion an "educational/experiencial opportunity as well... (although
that lead person would have to be experienced with the local area -
know how to get places and know the Deaf people well enough to provide
the introductions with the interpreters coming for work experience.
(and be a good enough interpreter that they can model to the recent
grads coming for experienced.)
This is something I would have done.. (and might still think about
doing - in fact...) its been rolling around upstairs for a while
there's also the "how much is it going to cost" and "where are we
gonna get the money"...
which will take some list-storming... and some planning
but I am thinking that if you got something like this off the ground
as a replicable pilot (hmmm grant money??) - it would not only work -
but may well earn you back some business cashflow...
just thinking
Terri Hayes
Terri Hayes
Apr 21, 2013, 6:19:08 PM4/21/13
to dalp...@gmail.com, NI...@googlegroups.com
Hi Maggie - I think that the problem with the rural terp situation is
only partly that the businesses are not willing to provide
interpreters - they may well be Totally willing... but I suspect the
problem is more that there are no interpreters to provide.
Someone can certainly go through the effort to find a signing or ADA
compliant attorney (although very very few in my experience can/will
afford to work with what "regular" Deaf folk can afford to pay)... oh
how many times I've made that suggestion ... I dont even go there any
more.. there is little to zero help for average Deaf folk coming from
the legal-wise system...
but even if it all works out and you sue and you win and the buiness
gets slapped with a "Bad Business YOU!.. Get an Interpreter for these
Deaf people!"
If there is no interpreter
there is no interpreter.
and that, in my experience - is the simple truth out in the rural
parts of our United States.
I would wonder then - what is the legal recourse when someone is
ordered to provide a service that does not exist?
respectfully
> Maggie Esquiroz
only partly that the businesses are not willing to provide
interpreters - they may well be Totally willing... but I suspect the
problem is more that there are no interpreters to provide.
Someone can certainly go through the effort to find a signing or ADA
compliant attorney (although very very few in my experience can/will
afford to work with what "regular" Deaf folk can afford to pay)... oh
how many times I've made that suggestion ... I dont even go there any
more.. there is little to zero help for average Deaf folk coming from
the legal-wise system...
but even if it all works out and you sue and you win and the buiness
gets slapped with a "Bad Business YOU!.. Get an Interpreter for these
Deaf people!"
If there is no interpreter
there is no interpreter.
and that, in my experience - is the simple truth out in the rural
parts of our United States.
I would wonder then - what is the legal recourse when someone is
ordered to provide a service that does not exist?
respectfully
Terri Hayes
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maggie Esquiroz" <dalp...@gmail.com>
To: NI...@googlegroups.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maggie Esquiroz" <dalp...@gmail.com>
To: NI...@googlegroups.com
Date: Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 4:01 PM
Subject: Re: [NIDG] Suggestions??
> Hi Heidi!
>
> In addition to interpreting, I am also a lawyer (please don't hold that against me LOL). Anyway, I would see if one of the Deaf people who had experienced the refusal to provide access (especially for a health situation!), try to find an attorney who might be willing to write a letter regarding ADA issues, etc. A nearby (large city) Deaf agency (we have GLAD here in L.A.) might have referral attorneys, or even try contacting someone through NAD. I am not sure what state you are in, but whatever state protections (or lack thereof) exist, the ADA is the law of the land and attorneys are subject to the requirement to provide access too! An attorney that regularly handles these types of situations would probably do a sliding scale fee arrangement or would take a matter on a contingency fee. At least I am hoping my colleagues would rise to the occasion.
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM, Heidi Christensen <hodi...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
Subject: Re: [NIDG] Suggestions??
> Hi Heidi!
>
> In addition to interpreting, I am also a lawyer (please don't hold that against me LOL). Anyway, I would see if one of the Deaf people who had experienced the refusal to provide access (especially for a health situation!), try to find an attorney who might be willing to write a letter regarding ADA issues, etc. A nearby (large city) Deaf agency (we have GLAD here in L.A.) might have referral attorneys, or even try contacting someone through NAD. I am not sure what state you are in, but whatever state protections (or lack thereof) exist, the ADA is the law of the land and attorneys are subject to the requirement to provide access too! An attorney that regularly handles these types of situations would probably do a sliding scale fee arrangement or would take a matter on a contingency fee. At least I am hoping my colleagues would rise to the occasion.
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 12:05 PM, Heidi Christensen <hodi...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dear esteemed colleagues,
>
>
>
> In light of recent conversations circulating this discussion group, I would like to hear your suggestions on a business my sister and I started recently. We are focusing on finding a way to provide interpreting services in rural area where those services are limited. The problem we are facing in our area is that businesses either won’t request interpreters, or interpreters from nearby cities don’t want to drive that far and then no one is “available” for that assignment so no interpreter shows up, or the Deaf people have experienced both of these instances and don’t even bother requesting interpreters any more or can’t find a remedy for their situation so they “deal” with paper and pencil. However, when we happen to see the Deaf from this area or DO interpret for them these issues come up in conversation and it’s a problem they would like to see resolved but they don’t know how to go about it. SO, we started a business hoping to relieve and improve this particular type of situation for Deaf people in rural areas (not just our own). Have any of you encountered this issue? If so, what effective approaches did you use to solve this matter? The problem we see is you can only tout “ADA” so much because the businesses just don’t care to follow this law, and no one has done anything to make the businesses accountable so I’m sure they are thinking “why do anything?”.
>
> When I say this is a problem, I’m talking about businesses who refuse to get interpreter services and as a result serious misunderstandings in regards to health (which in some cases was a life and death situation) occur. You want to talk about discrimination and oppression? Rural areas (at least those areas around us) are experts at this. Right now we are brainstorming how to remedy this issue and ask for your suggestions?
>
>
> Thank you!
>
> Heidi C.
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "National Interpreter Discussion Group" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to NIDG+uns...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to NI...@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/NIDG?hl=en.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
>
>
> In light of recent conversations circulating this discussion group, I would like to hear your suggestions on a business my sister and I started recently. We are focusing on finding a way to provide interpreting services in rural area where those services are limited. The problem we are facing in our area is that businesses either won’t request interpreters, or interpreters from nearby cities don’t want to drive that far and then no one is “available” for that assignment so no interpreter shows up, or the Deaf people have experienced both of these instances and don’t even bother requesting interpreters any more or can’t find a remedy for their situation so they “deal” with paper and pencil. However, when we happen to see the Deaf from this area or DO interpret for them these issues come up in conversation and it’s a problem they would like to see resolved but they don’t know how to go about it. SO, we started a business hoping to relieve and improve this particular type of situation for Deaf people in rural areas (not just our own). Have any of you encountered this issue? If so, what effective approaches did you use to solve this matter? The problem we see is you can only tout “ADA” so much because the businesses just don’t care to follow this law, and no one has done anything to make the businesses accountable so I’m sure they are thinking “why do anything?”.
>
> When I say this is a problem, I’m talking about businesses who refuse to get interpreter services and as a result serious misunderstandings in regards to health (which in some cases was a life and death situation) occur. You want to talk about discrimination and oppression? Rural areas (at least those areas around us) are experts at this. Right now we are brainstorming how to remedy this issue and ask for your suggestions?
>
>
> Thank you!
>
> Heidi C.
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "National Interpreter Discussion Group" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to NIDG+uns...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to NI...@googlegroups.com.
> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/NIDG?hl=en.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>
>
>
>
>
> Maggie Esquiroz
hodi...@gmail.com
Apr 21, 2013, 9:54:24 PM4/21/13
to NI...@googlegroups.com
Yes Terri, most definitely. Our area tends more to the legal part of just refusing to provide interpreters even when there are certified interpreters who live nearby...which is why we are more going for the approach of supplying awareness for now and looking at other options for this area.
According to the ADA the businesses are required to provide "reasonable accommodations" so I'm assuming that would mean VRI or, in some cases, pencil and paper or something to that effect if there just aren't interpreters who are nearby...but again, I'm just assuming.
There are many rural areas which really just do not have access to interpreters. We have looked at grant money (and have contacts that would be willing to help us write a grant proposal) so that is definitely an option. I like your idea of bringing the terps to the place and providing incentives to be there. That might be doable in some of the more rural parts of the nation...food for thought. Thank you!
I wonder then what would entice an interpreter to take up a position in the middle of no where? Certainly they couldn't be someone with a family. I'm a mother of a 2 year old with another one due in June and personally I would never consider it, but maybe others would with the right motivation...
Thoughts?
Heidi C.
According to the ADA the businesses are required to provide "reasonable accommodations" so I'm assuming that would mean VRI or, in some cases, pencil and paper or something to that effect if there just aren't interpreters who are nearby...but again, I'm just assuming.
There are many rural areas which really just do not have access to interpreters. We have looked at grant money (and have contacts that would be willing to help us write a grant proposal) so that is definitely an option. I like your idea of bringing the terps to the place and providing incentives to be there. That might be doable in some of the more rural parts of the nation...food for thought. Thank you!
I wonder then what would entice an interpreter to take up a position in the middle of no where? Certainly they couldn't be someone with a family. I'm a mother of a 2 year old with another one due in June and personally I would never consider it, but maybe others would with the right motivation...
Thoughts?
Heidi C.
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