The Top 5 Advantages of Remote ASL Interpreter Services

Americans with hearing disabilities depend on ASL interpreters to understand what a person is saying with their mouth. ASL interpreters use signing with their fingers to “speak” to audiences with hearing problems. The signing represents the words of the speaker. That is how hearing-impaired people can understand them. 

 

ASL interpreter services are used in various organizations including law enforcement, courtrooms, doctor’s offices, television networks, and government agencies. With the increased demand for remote-based services, you can now use remote ASL interpreter services rather than in-person ASL interpreter services. 

 

Are remote ASL interpreter services better or worse? Below are the top 5 advantages of remote ASL interpreter services and why you should choose them over in-person interpretation services.  

 

1) Location is Not a Factor 

 

One of the biggest challenges with in-person ASL interpreter services is finding a qualified interpreter within a particular town, city or region. For instance, some of the country’s more rural locations do not have many certified ASL interpreters available. This is a problem when such services are desperately needed. 

 

Remote ASL interpreter services eliminate this problem. They can be utilised in any location with a high-speed internet location and a computer or mobile device. The interpreter connects to everyone through video conferencing software. Then people with hearing disabilities can see them on their digital screens.  

 

2) Accessibility 24/7 

 

Remote ASL interpreter services are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It doesn’t matter if you need an interpreter during the day or at night. There is always a certified interpreter available when you choose to go remote.  

 

In-person ASL interpreters usually work during business hours only. It is much more convenient to rely on a remote ASL interpreter because of their flexibility and fast response time.  

 

You’ll no longer need to concern yourself with time zones either. You could be on the other side of the world and still find a remote interpreter available. 

 

3) Multiple Video Conferencing Platforms Available 

 

Everyone has their personal preferences when it comes to which video conferencing software to use. Remote ASL interpreters use multiple video conferencing software platforms, including Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, and GoToWebinar.  

 

Clients prefer remote interpreters who offer more software options. That way, they can use the software platform most convenient for them rather than being forced to learn how to use an unfamiliar software platform. It also gives the interpreters more opportunities to get hired because of the multiple software options.   

 

4) Multiple Industries Available 

 

Sometimes you might need an industry-specific remote ASL interpreter trained to interpret the terminology of a specific industry. For instance, if you need an interpreter specialising in business, education, insurance, government, healthcare, medical or legal terminology, it is easier to find a remote ASL interpreter with these qualifications. 

 

The average ASL interpreter does not have industry-specific education. But when you hire a certified ASL interpreter service from a reputable company like Languagers.com, you can be sure to get the proper interpretation out to your audience.  

 

5) HIPAA Compliant 

 

All health information interpreted will remain confidential. Certified remote ASL interpreters are HIPAA compliant, which means they will protect your sensitive health information and never disclose it to anyone. If you need to hire a remote ASL interpreter to speak to a doctor or medical specialist, then you will appreciate the confidentiality offered with the interpreter’s services.  

 

Last Words 

 

As you can see, remote ASL interpreter services offer more advantages and convenience to clients. There is no sense in ever hiring an in-person ASL interpreter again unless you don’t have access to technology. In that case, Languagers.com can schedule an in-person interpreter to come to your location and provide face-to-face interpretation services.  

 

Quick interpreter guide for Zoom video conferencing

 

Zoom video conferencing is still a relatively new concept. Most interpreters in the world have worked as in-person interpreters in real-life settings. But due to the growing demand for remote work and home-based offices, many interpreters have to learn how to provide their services through a video conferencing platform like Zoom.  

 

It is not complicated to join or host a Zoom video conference if you’re an interpreter. In fact, the platform features options explicitly designed for interpreters to join and participate in video calls. But you’ll still need to learn the basics of how to operate the platform and make yourself look presentable to the participants on the call. 

 

Below are the top four tips to Zoom video conferencing that Languagers provides. They should help you get started in this effort.  

 

1) Face the Camera 

 

Position your face directly in front of the webcam or digital camera. Do not use a smartphone camera because it will be too shaky and difficult for people to watch you. An interpreter must look presentable to the other participants of the Zoom call. A stabilised camera fixed onto the computer screen or monitor is necessary for this reason.  

 

Sit up straight and look straight into the camera. If you need to look at the video feed of the person speaking, you can do that. But once they stop talking, look at the camera and give the interpretation of what they said.  

 

2) Choose a Solid Colour Background 

 

Do not have a distracting background, especially if you’re ASL interpreter. People will focus on your mouth and hands very carefully. The last thing you’ll want to do is distract them with a strange or unusual background. We recommend you use a solid-coloured background with no patterns or photographs. That way, everyone’s attention will be focused solely on you and not on anything else in your environment.  

 

If you don’t already have a solid-coloured wall in your house or office, you can use the “Change Background” feature in Zoom to customise the background appearance on video. You’ll need to have a digital picture of a solid colour to upload to Zoom and set as your background. You can easily find royalty-free images like this on the internet. Either that or you can open Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop and make the images yourself.  

 

3) Send Your Email Address to the Host 

 

The host of a video conference must invite the interpreter to join. As an interpreter, you must provide your name and email address to the host. They can take this information and use it to add you as an interpreter for the video conference call. You should receive a confirmation in your email about the date and time to join the call.  

 

Log into Zoom on the scheduled date of the call. You should see a popup window indicating which language you’re supposed to interpret. It will show something like “English to German,” or “English to Spanish.” Click the “OK” button to accept and join the call. You really don’t need to do much more than that. The host does most of the setup work.  

 

4) Wear Earbuds 

 

Interpreters should wear earbuds to listen to the audio of the video conference. Do not put the audio on speaker or wear headphones because your microphone might pick up the sound. Then it will be distracting to everyone on the call after each time they speak. Earbuds are like tiny headphones that stick in your ears. They ensure that nothing else can detect the sounds except for you.  

 

Most importantly, earbuds will reduce other distractive sounds in your environment. You’ll be able to primarily focus on the words coming from the participants of the conference call. Then you’ll have the power to give more accurate interpretations without misunderstanding what was said.