American Sign Language (ASL) Frequently Asked Questions

Do’s

• DO Use Visual Attention: Wave your hand, tap gently on the shoulder, or flick the light to gain attention.
• DO Maintain Eye Contact: Eye contact is crucial in ASL and Deaf communication. It shows engagement and respect.
• DO Learn Basic ASL: Even learning simple signs like “hello” and “thank you” demonstrates effort and respect for the culture.
• DO Be Patient with Communication: Allow time for responses and don’t rush the conversation.
• DO Respect Name Signs: Name signs are culturally significant and given within the Deaf community. Use the individual’s name sign and use it when possible during greetings and goodbyes.
• DO Stand in the Line of Sight: Ensure you are visible and in good lighting when communicating.
• DO Use Technology Thoughtfully: Use text or video relay services for communication when needed, and respect the preferred method of communication.
• DO Ask Questions: If you are unsure about something, it is okay to ask respectfully. Deaf individuals appreciate genuine curiosity.
• DO Include Deaf People in Conversations: Make an effort to include them in discussions using interpreters, technology, or ASL.
• DO Respect Deaf Culture’s Unique Identity: Recognize the rich history, traditions, and contributions of the Deaf community.

Don’ts

• DO NOT Assume all Deaf People Can Read Lips: Lipreading is not universal, and it is often challenging even for skilled lip readers.
• DO NOT Shout or Over-Enunciate: Shouting is disrespectful.
• DO NOT Touch Without Consent: While a tap on the shoulder is acceptable for attention, always respect personal space.
• DO NOT Speak and Ask the Interpreter to Stop Signing: The interpreter will continue to interpret all spoken conversations in the room, regardless if it is directed to the Deaf individual.
• DO NOT Turn Away When Signing: Turning away disrupts the visual connection essential for communication.
• DO NOT Assume Deaf People Want to Be “Fixed:” Avoid talking about hearing aids or cochlear implants unless the individual brings it up.
• DO NOT Call ASL “English with Hands:” ASL is a fully developed, independent language with its own grammar and syntax.
• DO NOT Rely on Family Members as Interpreters: Always use a professional interpreter to ensure accurate communication.
• DO NOT Interrupt Conversations: Avoid stepping between people signing, as it’s considered rude.
• DO NOT Assume All Deaf People’s Experiences Are the Same: Respect individual differences and preferences within the Deaf community.

Getting a Deaf person’s attention is about being respectful and mindful of their need for visual or tactile cues. Here are some practical and culturally appropriate ways to do so:

• Wave Your Hands:
  • Use a gentle wave within their field of vision.
  • This is the most common and polite way to get a Deaf person’s attention.

• Tap on the Shoulder:

1. • If you are close enough, a gentle tap on the shoulder is acceptable.
   • Be sure it is light and not starling.

• Flick the Lights:

1. • If you are in a room with light control, flicking the lights on and off briefly is an excellent way to get attention.
   • This is particularly useful in larger gatherings or group settings.

• Ask Someone Nearby:

1. • If none of the above are possible, you can ask someone closer to the Deaf person to help get their attention.

• Use Technology:

1. • If they are not in the same room, send a quick text, use a messaging app, or use a visual notification system if available.

• Essential Tips to Remember:
  • Be Patient: Don’t expect immediate attention; give them time to notice you.
  • Respect Personal Space: Do not grab or pull someone to get their attention, as this can be seen as intrusive or disrespectful.
  • Use Visual Signals: Ensure you are visible and well-lit when getting their attention.

• Speak Clearly and Naturally:
  

1. • Over-enunciation can distort words and make them harder to understand.
   • Shouting changes your lip patterns and can make lipreading more difficult.

• Face the Person Directly:

1. • Stay in their line of sight. Make sure your face is fully visible.
   • Maintaining eye contact helps keep attention and shows that you are engaged.

• Ensure Good Lighting:

1. • Make sure your face is well-lit and avoid backlighting or dim environments.
   • Stay in a place where the light hits your face directly.

• Use Simple and Clear Language:

1. • Use straightforward words and phrases when possible.
   • If the person doesn’t understand, rephrase your sentence instead of repeating it verbatim.

• Be Mindful of Visual Barriers:

1. • Avoid covering your mouth.
   • Minimize gestures near your face.

• Provide Context:

1. • Start with the topic of the conversation to give the person context for guessing words.
   • Use facial expressions to gestures to help convey meaning.

• Be Patient and Attentive:

1. • Lipreading is challenging and requires effort. Be patient if they need clarification.
   • Gently check if they have understood by asking or observing their response.

• Offer Alternative Communication Methods:

1. • If lipreading isn’t enough, offer to write things down or use a device to type.
   • If you know sign language and the person is familiar with it, use it to enhance communication.

• Reduce Background Noise:

1. • Background noise can make lipreading and concentration harder.

• Ask for Feedback:

1. • If they need help understanding, ask how you can better support their communication needs.

Key Takeaway:

Communicating with lipreaders is about being transparent, patient, and attentive to their needs. Creating an inclusive and supportive environment can enhance understanding and foster positive interaction.

A sign language interpreter acts as a communication bridge between Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing individuals, ensuring everyone has equal access to information. They interpret spoken language into sign language, like ASL, and vice versa, while preserving the message’s tone, intent, and meaning. This enables Deaf individuals to fully participate in conversations, events, and daily interactions across various settings, including education, healthcare, legal proceedings, and workspaces.

Interpreters not only facilitate communication but also support accessibility and cultural understanding. They help bridge the gap between the Deaf and hearing communities by conveying language and cultural nuances. Their work often requires adaptability as they navigate dynamic environments with complex topics, multiple speakers, or emotionally sensitive situations. They may also need specific terminology knowledge in specialized fields like medicine or law to ensure accuracy.

Professionalism and ethics are at the core of an interpreter’s role. They maintain strict confidentiality, remain impartial, and continually develop their skills to meet industry standards. By promoting inclusion and equality, sign language interpreters empower Deaf individuals to engage fully in society and contribute to creating a more accessible and inclusive world.

While knowing sign language is a great starting point, it doesn’t automatically qualify someone as a sign language interpreter. Interpreting requires specialized training to accurately convey meaning, tone, and cultural nuances between two languages. Professional interpreters must also handle complex situations, like medical or legal contexts, often requiring advanced skills and specific terminology. Additionally, interpreters follow strict ethical standards, including confidentiality and impartiality. Certification through programs like the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) ensures they meet professional standards and are fully qualified to provide interpreting services.

Aim to give at least two to three weeks’ notice whenever possible to ensure the best chance of securing interpreting services. Propio can often accommodate last-minute requests and emergencies, but availability may be limited. Early planning and clear communication help ensure smooth arrangements and better outcomes. Early planning and clear communication help ensure smooth arrangements and better outcomes.

• Speak Directly to the person.
• Don’t ask the interpreter to omit anything.
• Do recognize all information discussed is confidential.
• Don’t ask the interpreter to interject personal opinions.
• Provide good lighting, even if auxiliary lighting is necessary.
• Be aware that interpreting is physically and mentally fatiguing to both the interpreter and the client.
• Check for breaks as needed.

A sign language interpreter is a trained professional who facilitates communication between Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing individuals and Hearing individuals. They interpret spoken language into sign languages, such as American Sign Language (ASL), and vice versa, ensuring the message’s meaning, tone, and intent are accurately conveyed. Sign language interpreters work in various settings, including education, healthcare, legal proceedings, workspaces, and community events, providing equal access to information and fostering effective communication. They adhere to a code of ethics, maintain confidentiality, and often have specialized training or certification to ensure high-quality interpreting services.

Having sign language interpreters at your conference ensures that it is accessible and inclusive for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants. Interpreters bridge the communication gap, allowing Deaf attendees to fully engage with presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities. Providing interpreting services demonstrates your commitment to accessibility and compliance with legal requirements, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It also fosters a welcoming environment where all attendees can share ideas, learn, and contribute equally regardless of their hearing ability. Including sign language interpreters enhances the overall experience for everyone by promoting diversity and inclusion at your event.

Propio is one of the largest sign language interpreting agencies in the southeast United States. We work with the specific theme of your conference (e.g., technical, medical, educational) as well as your audience to ensure the best match among its top-notch interpreters. You will also have a Conference Coordinator to work with you from the beginning at no additional cost (excluding on-site coordination). Propio covers emergencies 24/7 for last minute requests in Central Florida.

Yes. Propio is a leader in providing trilingual interpreting services. You will need a trilingual interpreter in the following scenarios:

• The spoken language of your conference is English and you have a Deaf/Hard of Hearing attendee whose first and second languages are ASL and Spanish.
• The spoken language of your conference is Spanish and you have a Deaf/Hard of Hearing attendee.
• You have a presenter who uses ASL and your audience speaks Spanish.

Propio has highly qualified trilingual interpreters to cover your event.

No. Propio coordinates sign language interpreters for conferences nationwide. We offer the same quality services as for local conferences in both the coordination process and the interpreting itself. At least one month’s advance booking is required for conferences outside of Central Florida.

Working over 100 conferences per year, Propio’s interpreters are current in both skills and topics. Propio only assigns well qualified interpreters to conferences. You can rest assured that the interpreters covering your event are highly skilled and follow the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct. This guarantees not only quality, but also confidentiality.

All conference events that have Deaf participants should be fully accessible. At times this means being interpreted. Conference activities that should be accessible include and are not limited to:

• Registration
• Workshops
• Opening and Closing Sessions
• Seminars
• Major Presentations
• Award Presentations
• Plenary Sessions
• General Programs
• Banquets / Receptions / Luncheons

Sign language interpreters should be placed in a well-lit area in the line of sight between the Deaf/Hard of Hearing attendees and the presenters. All conferences and meetings have different sized rooms and vary in the number of attendees. Propio’s professional interpreters, along with your Deaf/Hard of Hearing attendees, can assist you with specific placement on-site so that your attendees have full access to the information.

The number of sign language interpreters you need depends on the length, complexity, and nature of the event or assignment:

• Short Assignments (Less than 1 Hour): Typically, one interpreter is sufficient for shorter, straightforward assignments.
• Long Assignments (1 Hour or More): You will need at least two interpreters. Interpreters work as a team to prevent fatigue and maintain accuracy, usually alternating every 20-3o minutes.
• Complex or Fast-Paced Events: Two interpreters are recommended regardless of the duration for events with dense or technical content, such as conferences or legal proceedings.
• Multiple Locations or Breakout Sessions: You will need interpreters for each session or breakout group.
• Deaf/Blind Participants: You may need additional interpreters trained in tactile interpreting.

A team of sign language interpreters is needed to ensure communication accuracy, effectiveness, and sustainability during extended or complex assignments. Interpreting is a mentally and physically demanding task that requires intense concentration, rapid processing of information, and precise delivery in two or more languages. To maintain quality, interpreters typically work in 20- to 30-minute intervals, alternating between interpreting and resting. This rotation helps prevent mental fatigue and ensures the interpretation remains clear and accurate throughout the event.

Paying for sign language interpreters typically falls on the party hosting the event, providing the service, or facilitating communication. Here is a breakdown of common scenarios:

• Business and Service Providers: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), businesses, healthcare providers, and other service organizations must provide and pay for interpreters to ensure effective communication for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.
• Employers: Employers are responsible for covering the cost of interpreters as a reasonable accommodation for Deaf employees under the ADA, ensuring equal access to meetings, training, and workplace communication.
• Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities must provide interpreters for Deaf students or parents during classes, meetings, and events, as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Event Organizers: Conference organizers, event planners, and public forums typically cover interpreter costs to make their events accessible and inclusive for Deaf attendees.
• Government Services: Federal, state, and local government agencies must provide and pay for interpreters for public services, programs, or events under the ADA and other accessibility laws.
• Individual (Rare Cases): In some private or informal situations, individuals might choose to hire and pay for interpreters themselves, though this is less common and often optional.