RECENT TRENDS IN COMMUNICATION ACCESS FOR DEAF CONSUMERS

Presenters: Tracy Bell, DHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Div.

Marty Barnum, CSD of Minnesota

Heather Gilbert, CSD of Minnesota

THE BASICS

ASL, the Deaf community, law and standards in Minnesota

Deaf Community and Interpreter Needs American Sign Language – native language

for many people who are deaf The availability of interpreters opens doors

for communication access Deaf people want equal access:

Medical appointmentsEducationLegalEntertainmentOther services available to the public

Communicating in ASL vs. English ASL is a visual language with its own

grammar/syntax Preferred language of the deaf community

○ ACTIVITY

English often a second languageAuditory and written languageExamples of written English by some deaf:

○ I pray not weak or sick that sat it rollercoaster sick and better○ Where interrupt!!

Interpreter access may be needed: Medical

Legal

Social Services

Other public accommodations

Certification Standards in Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certification Levels

Generalist and SpecialistNo MN licensure

Code of Professional Conduct

The Law on communication access for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals

A brief overview

Americans With Disabilities ActEffective: 1992

Title I:

Employment

Title II:

State and Local Government

Title III:

Public Accommodation

ADA Law: Legal Words “auxiliary aids and services”: includes

interpreters, TTY’s, VP’s, ALD’s, etc. “effective communication”:

communication as effective as communication with others

“primary consideration”: must honor the deaf person’s choice unless “undue burden” (only applies to ADA Title II)

ADA Law: Legal Words

“Qualified Interpreter”: An interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.

“WHAT’S WORKED SO FAR”

Traditional System of Providing Communication

For Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Patients

Interpreting versus Helping Family and Friends Co-Workers Interpreters Certified Interpreters Higher Certifications and Standards Specialized Training

Who is qualified to interpret?(Who is qualified to interpret for medical situations?)

Interpreters in Minnesota:

368 Certified (Generalist) (Probably over 400)116 High level (CI/CT)63 High level (NAD IV/V)22 Old High level (CSC)15 NEW High level NIC-Advanced 10 NEW High level NIC-Master7 Legal Specialist Certificate1 CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)

MN Interpreters in 2010

19 Minnesota Supreme Court Roster interpreters

Less than 10 legal interpreters living in Greater MN

Hospital settlements have set a new standard of advanced certification

Less than 50 highly qualified available to interpret in Greater MN

Auxiliary Aids

TTY Machine Paper and Pen Sign Language Interpreter Letters, emails Amplification systems

Settlements Examples of Hospital Settlements

Metro (Allina, HealthEast, Fairview, No. Memorial, HCMC)

Greater MN (St. Mary’s Duluth) Standards set by the Settlements

Emergency On Call 24/7High level certificationResponse timeNot using familyProvide interpreters for family & companions

Result: MHC

MN Hospital Consortium November 2005 27 facilities Guaranteed

response for emergencies

Response time: within 1 hour 80% of the time; within 2 hours 90% of the time.

HealthEast Park Nicollet Children’s HCMC Allina Fairview

RAISING THE BARNew and innovative methods of providing access

Recent advances in Communication Access

Metro-area Nursing Homes Urgent Care Facilities Law Enforcement Agencies in

Greater Minnesota Benton County Jail Martin County, Nobles County Jail

Using technology to meet the need

Email, Mobile Devices VRS VRI

Mobile forms of communication access

Video Relay Service (2004)

*VRS is funded by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) by telephone surcharge. It is a service provided to both hearing and Deaf consumers at no charge when making a telephone call.

ZVRS Video Relay Service

Z-OJO and Z-150 Video Payphone

VRI: ON-DEMAND INTERPRETING ONLINE (2008)

ON-Demand Interpreting Online is an interpreting service streamed through the internet.

Equipment needed:Desk top or laptop computerWebcamSpeakerphoneSoftware download

On-Demand Interpreting Online

1) Service in less than 10 minutes!

2) Qualified, Certified, and Trained Interpreters on Call via Video

3) ADA Compliant*

4) HIPAA Compliant

How to get your ODIO Video Interpreter

User

Answering Service

InterpreterUser

Video Connection

Limitations to Remote Interpreting Services Not always best for sensitive situations

Not conducive to some group activities or some medical situations

Not appropriate for sensitive legal settings; i.e. interrogations, court

Remote areas without high speed access

Deaf-Blind Individuals

Resources www.DHHSD.org

www.C-S-D.org

MCDHH Deaf Rights in Minnesota website: http://www.deaf-rights.state.mn.us/home.jsp

Dept of Justice Settlement agreement with Duluth SMDC and Bender: http://www.ada.gov/duluth.htm

THANK YOU!