ON-SITE INTERPRETERS FACE EXTINCTION

EXTINCTION

Something has changed.

Legislative laws and technology development of the 90’s caused a ground swell to the sign language interpreter industry and identity, rooted in “onsite era” values.. The interpreting industry now operates under new values, a “virtual presence era”. What

does this shift means for sign language interpreters and the industry? How do we evolve, and what happens if we don’t?

Interpreter Timeline

Created by: Doug Stringham http://doug.stringham.net/uvuasl/3310/ch2_interprettimeline.pdf

Internet Timeline

EVOLUTION OF ON-SITE INTERPRETER ERA

TO VIRTUAL PRESENCE ERAIn

flu

ence

an

d Im

pac

t

1964 1990 2000 2005 2010

Rapid Development and Usage of Technology.

• 1981 IBM PC/Windows

• 1990 Internet Public.

• 1994 Netscape

Enacting Federal Laws

Professional Interpreter Defined

•Rehab Act 1973.

•IDEA 1997.

•ADA 1990

•1964 RID Founded.

•Certification

•Standard Practices

On-Site

Era

Technology Meets Interpreting.

•2002 FCC Sponsors VRS

•VRS Companies Innovate

Virtual

Presence Era

Defining Values and Traps

On-Site. Virtual.

Relational. Artist.

Professional Services Model

Quality = Certified

Specialty Skillsets (Legal, Medical, etc)

Success through reciprocity

Value Negotiation

Transactional.

Production Model

Quality = Qualified

1 Skill Fits All

Success through statistical performance

Non-negotiable rate

Traps.

Outsourced

Digitized

Automated

THE NEXT 50 YEARS – BECOME UNTOUCHABLE

Collaboration with Partners.

Synergy with government, consumer, employer partners creates value to the industry. Does the interpreting industry have direct relationships with State, Deaf organization heads?

Synthesize Leadership.

Identify interpreters with leadership talent infuse them with industry’s legacy and ignite passion in the organization by empowering them with growth objectives.

Create Learning Culture.

Participate in sharing knowledge between boomer interpreters and millennial interpreters. Value experienced mentors and add value to their work.

Leverage Technology.

Use technology to amplify the voice of the interpreter. Organizations that represent interpreters will need to embrace web3.0 realities by seeing themselves as a media and content marketer. As a tool to building unity , identity and relationships. Broadcast cheaply, by organizing a suite of access points..

Protect Value of Certification.

Without certification we have nothing.

ELEVATE BEYOND DIGITAL ERA TRAPS:

OUTSOURCED, DIGITIZED, AUTOMATED