Wither RID?

[Margaret Cobb]

Hi Laurie et al,

 

Not to be too pessimistic but I find that the answer to Laurie's question in the subject line may be answered, in part, by the recent e-News regarding the upcoming elections for Officers for RID.  I cannot remember a time since I joined in 1978 when there were so many positions with no nominees.  It is true that most of our elections are uncontested but this many positions with NO nominees????   Maybe my memory is failing.  I see this as a very ominous sign for the immediate future of RID.

 

I do have some thoughts re: the substance of Laurie's comments and want to take more time to think them through.  It is a view that I have struggled with over the years as I'm sure many of us have.  

 

To be continued.....

 

Margaret Cobb, CA

 

Margaret R. Cobb, CSC, SC:L
Court Sr. ASL Interpreter
Interpreting Services Unit
Ventura County Superior Court
800 So. Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
805-662-6689 (Office)
805-662-6712 (FAX)
>>> <NI...@googlegroups.com> 4/23/2013 4:57 AM >>>

  Today's Topic Summary

Group: http://groups.google.com/group/NIDG/topics

• Whither RID? [1 Update]
• Digest for NI...@googlegroups.com - 10 Messages in 2 Topics [1 Update]

 Whither RID?

Laurie Meyer <lmnhinte...@gmail.com> Apr 22 08:28PM -0700  

I am no great fan of RID.
 
- I enthusiastically participated in those early meetings for establishing
AAEI (Association of ASL/English Interpreters.I think), and count myself
among those who wonder how long it would take to recover if another
organization follows the rapid demise of AAEI. The caliber and competence
of the people who tried the last time were among the best and brightest in
our field.
 
- I have tried, like so many others who have tried longer, and perhaps more
creatively, to work within RID to create an organization that I could feel
good about. I gave up.
 
-I fight fiercely (and not always successfully) to create a local chapter
that has values that support me and my colleagues in learning to be allies.

 
Like so many of us, I hold my nose and pay my dues.
 
It's not without thought (and some concern about the backlash here) that I
worry about abandoning RID. I have no illusions. Recreating RID in the
context of 2013-thinking is not for the feint of heart.
 
Yet, Alec Naiman's words from Allies '95 are a constant reminder. "Don't",
he said, "make bad interpreters our problem." He enjoined us, "This is
your profession. When you assume some interpreters can't get better, you
leave us stuck with them." In short, when we don't float all boats, Deaf
people, particularly less powerful Deaf people, are profoundly impacted.
 
As we look at the ever increasing '9 to 5ing' of our profession, the voices
that delight those who read this site and Street Leverage go completely
unheard by nearly 15,000 members of RID. That's a lot of interpreters.
 
So I offer for consideration: Is anyone truly untrainable? Is it privilege
to give up on them? Could we consider a powerful, sustained and organized
effort to re-create our national organization as one that recognizes that
Deaf-heart is not an optional way of doing our work? Can we afford to wait
until they are "ready"? Could we reframe our perspective to assume that
many, if not most, are neither indifferent nor ill-willed, but rather
haven't been exposed to this information in a way that makes sense to them?
 
Two quotes that inform this discussion:
 
- " When you are figthing with a guerrilla, you don't stop fighting when
you are tired. You stop fighting when the guerilla is tired."
 
- Thanks to an amazing Deaf woman nearby, I remember this too, "The
problem is that there are so many guerrillas and so few of us (Deaf
people)."
 
A band of Ally-guerrillas. Has a nice ring to it.
 

 
Laurie Meyer


 

 Digest for NI...@googlegroups.com - 10 Messages in 2 Topics

"Cagan-Teuber, Janice (MCD)" <janice.ca...@state.ma.us> Apr 22 11:59AM -0400  

This is to Heidi, regarding the AZ issue of businesses in rural areas refusing to provide interpreters. You said that there are several lawsuits to attempt to correct this. Any of those lawsuits through the state's Attorney General's Office? Or the Office of Civil Rights?
 
Try those.
Janice
 
 
 
Janice L. Cagan-Teuber, M.Ed., Certified ASL/English Interpreter
MCDHH Interpreter Screening & Evaluation Coordinator
600 Washington Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02111-1704
 
Phone: 617-740-1600
Fax: 617-740-1880
VP: 617-326-7546
 
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including any attachments, contains information which may be confidential or privileged. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and destroy all electronic and hard copies of the communication, including attachments.
Think before you print!
 
From: NI...@googlegroups.com [mailto:NI...@googlegroups.com]
Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 8:17 AM
To: Digest Recipients
Subject: [NIDG] Digest for NI...@googlegroups.com - 10 Messages in 2 Topics
 
Today's Topic Summary
 
Group: http://groups.google.com/group/NIDG/topics
§ Suggestions?? [6 Updates]
§ Gathering time/space at StreetLeverage Live! in Atlanta [4 Updates]
Suggestions??<http://groups.google.com/group/NIDG/t/622fd1e5ae9f46fb>
Heidi Christensen <hodi...@gmail.com> Apr 21 12:05PM -0700
 
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 <dalp...@gmail.com> Apr 21 01:01PM -0700
 
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.
 
 
 
--
*Maggie Esquiroz*
 
 
hodi...@gmail.com Apr 21 01:36PM -0700
 
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 <asl...@gmail.com> Apr 21 06:11PM -0400
 
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
 
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heidi Christensen" <hodi...@gmail.com>
To: NI...@googlegroups.com
Date: Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Subject: [NIDG] Suggestions??
 
 
 
Terri Hayes <asl...@gmail.com> Apr 21 06:19PM -0400
 
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
Terri Hayes
 
----- 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??
 
 
 
hodi...@gmail.com Apr 21 06:54PM -0700
 
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.
 
 
 
 
Gathering time/space at StreetLeverage Live! in Atlanta<http://groups.google.com/group/NIDG/t/597bf6e4e44f90c8>
"Chumley, Andi" <achu...@med.umich.edu> Apr 21 05:21PM
 
I would love to participate!
 
On Apr 20, 2013, at 10:54 AM, "Stephanie Feyne" <stef...@gmail.com<mailto:stef...@gmail.com>> wrote:
 
Brandon Arthur made us an offer.
 
He said if those of us who are attending StreetLeverage Live! in Atlanta (April 26-28) wish to get together to discuss issues he will make event space available during the lunch hours on Saturday and Sunday.
 
 
If that is what people want let us please confirm with each other first,
then we can confirm with Brandon at
 
<goog_424107957>
bra...@streetleverage.com<mailto:bra...@streetleverage.com>
 
 
so he can make plans for it.
 
Here is the website for info and registration.
http://www.streetleverage.com/live/
 
Stephanie
 
 
On Sat, Apr 13, 2013 at 6:39 PM, Dan Parvaz <dpa...@gmail.com<mailto:dpa...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Who-all is coming to StreetLeverage Live? Surely we can carve out a little time to have this discussion, uh, live.
 
 
On Sat, Apr 13, 2013 at 5:46 PM, Austin Kocher <acko...@gmail.com<mailto:acko...@gmail.com>> wrote:
I'm trying to think about how to respect the volume of your response. Your enthusiasm leaves me in a rather submissive state - something like the feeling after the end of a fireworks finale. I'm not sure I have much to say. Maybe I'm just not well-equipped to decide who counts as Deaf and who doesn't.
 
Sincerely,
 
Austin
 
 
 
 
On Sat, Apr 13, 2013 at 3:39 PM, Terri Hayes <asl...@gmail.com<mailto:asl...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Hi. - put an addendum to the subject line to give this a different
focus than the simultaneously occuring considerations of the MAL
frustations.
 
I'm back.
I just took a nice drive - about 3 hours worth - to try to figure out
how to clarify some of the things I wanted to say.. It all gets all
confusing - because there are so many confounding factors to
consider...
but - because I do so enjoy a good discussion - I'm gonna have a go
please argue - nothing like a good argument (that being friendly but
firm disagreement to which neither side will (or need to) yield - the
banter helps clarify just exactly what one really thinks.
 
and so - fair warning - this might meader - because I'm hoping to
point out some of the many confounding factors that, it seems to me,
you are (at least in part) conveniently overlooking. (smile)
 
>>>Since we are having honest discussion, i have to share something that has become increasingly problematic. It concerns the imaginary differences between Deaf and hearing,
 
please note - that above is what I'm thinking about
 
>>and the fellow graduate students and professors who I'm working with who are Deaf, hearing and otherwise are getting exhausted with this, too. I think even though it's an important strategy at times to point out meaningful differences, we have come

 

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