A lot of people never really think about the idea of sign-language interpreters until they see them first-hand. It’s simply a concept most of us don’t have to worry about for our own benefit, and thus something that doesn’t naturally come to mind. When you’re putting on an event that involves any sort of speaking or presentation though, the need for an on-stage interpreter is clear. It is both a means of ensuring that everyone in the audience is able to understand what’s happening on stage, and a simple matter of inclusivity. 

5 Reasons Your Event Needs An Interpreter

Looking into the idea a little bit more deeply though, Languagers provides five specific reasons your event should have an ASL interpreter…. 

1 - More People Are Hard of Hearing Than You Guess

It’s easy to fall under the impression that there simply aren’t that many people who suffer from debilitating hearing loss. Perhaps you don’t have a close family member or friend who is hard of hearing; maybe you don’t know anybody with this sort of affliction, save a few people with age-related hearing loss. This may be the case for many of us, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are probably more people who are hard of hearing than you would guess. 

The official numbers on deafness and hearing loss indicate that some 466 million people around the world have “disabling hearing loss.” That’s a fairly sizeable portion of the population, and while a significant number of the people affected are children, the bottom line is that you may be more likely to be holding an event with some hard-of-hearing guests than you realize. If you have several hundred people in a room, it’s not altogether unlikely that someone there is deaf, or close to it. 

2 - Many of These People Are Discriminated Against

Among the many people who suffer from disabling hear loss, it’s also an unfortunate fact that many experience various forms of discrimination, including in professional settings. Information regarding communication services and the deaf indicates that one out of every four deaf people has left a job due to discrimination — and a whopping 70% of deaf people “don’t work or are underemployed.” 

If you’re in a professional situation in which you’re tasked with hosting an event, it’s your responsibility to do what you can to ensure you don’t further these troubling statistics. An interpreter can help you to be more inclusive, and — if the event is work-related — can help any deaf guest to enjoy something closer to an even playing field. 

3 - You Never Know Who You’re Missing

We’ve discussed the need to include deaf individuals for their own benefit, and as a matter of responsibility (and basic decency). But it will also benefit your organization. Simply put, you never know who you might be missing if you hold an event without an interpreter. An attendee who’s hard of hearing may just be the customer, partner, or contact you’ve been hoping to meet — and without an interpreter, he or she might never get your message. 

4 - Communications Are Making a Comeback

Another benefit to you and your organization comes from the fact that good communication is — for lack of a better word — trendy. In an age when so much of our day-to-day activity involves generic messaging, automated functions and the like, consumers have actually come to care quite a lot about how businesses present themselves and communicate. 

This is reflected clearly in the demand we see in related careers. According to statistics for students pursuing a bachelors in communications, more than 17,000 jobs in public relations are expected to be added by 2028, and various advertising and marketing positions are now paying median salaries in the six-figure range. These are all indications that companies are recognizing the value of strong communications these days — and having interpreters at live events is part of all of this. Essentially, by expanding a communication effort to be this inclusive, you’re putting forth the impression that your company is comprehensive and proactive in tis messaging. It’s a good professional image to establish. 

5 - Apps Aren’t There (Yet)

One last reason to include a live interpreter is that the apps for this sort of thing just aren’t quite there yet. We’ve covered the rise of AI-driven interpreter apps, and it’s true that some of them already exist. However they’re far from perfect at this stage — not to mention they’re not particularly well known just yet. 

So, while it’s always tempting to assume these days that people have apps to help them get by, there’s still a need in this space for human interpreters. A trained, live professional conveying an event’s messages in ASL will simply be more valuable to guests than any app. 

 

 

Should an ASL Interpreter You Hire Wear a Mask When Interpreting?

 

As a result of the Coronavirus crisis, seeing an ASLinterpreter sign the daily news has become the new normal for millions of Americans.

Recently, deafinterpreters have also been praised for helping connecting millions of deaf Americans with essential services like telemedicine during the Coronavirus crisis. However, Covid-19 is still raising new challenges for many deaf people.

 

The Covid-19 Mask Debacle No One is Talking About

In several states, wearing masks is now mandatory for millions of Americans. Most people also appreciate doing so as a sensible way to curb Covid-19 transmission rates. However, new mask rules are adversely affecting some people in America's deaf community.

In September, the New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe hopes to once again open classrooms to students. However, reopening plans will likely see students have to face coverings.

For students without a hearing impairment, wearing masks is at best an inconvenience. For deaf students, though, (many of whom are not yet fluent in American Sign Language), wearing masks will impede their ability to learn as easily as they might otherwise.

 

What is the Problem with an ASL Interpreter or Deaf Student Wearing a Mask?

The problem for ASL interpreters, students, and teachers is simple. Contrary to popular belief, American SignLanguage is not made up solely of different hand gestures.

As anyone who has seen an ASL interpreter on television recently will realize, American Sign Language uses a wide variety of different facial expressions to relate proper grammar, meaning, and context. This is a problem, as wearing a face covering can make relating extra meaning impossible.

 

Should an ASL Interpreter You Hire Wear a Mask?

At present, the New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe is still deliberating what reopening in September might look like. However, many businesses across America are now also wondering how wearing masks might affect the way that they too communicate with deaf consumers.

Thankfully, in most professional business contexts, masks will not impede communication between deaf interpreters and deaf members of the public. At Languagers, for example, we already make available on-demand Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services.

 

By utilizing VRI interpreting, you can communicate freely with deaf associates or consumers using an ASL interpreter, who joins meetings via a live video link. In this case, no mask will be required by any party.

 

What About When Hiring an on-site ASL Interpreter?

Because VRI technology eliminates any risk of Covid-19 transmission, we advise businesses to connect with deaf interpreters this way whenever possible. However, it is also still possible to hire a Languager ASL interpreter who can appear in person at your next meeting or event.

 

If on-site ASL interpreting is your only option, we advise following the below safety guidelines:

l  Before an interpreter arrives at your location, discuss your event or meeting details with them. When you do, make sure to let them know of any specific social distancing guidelines.

l  At meetings or during events, keep as large a distance as possible between ASL interpreters and meeting members or event attendees.

l  To avoid any confusion or alarm, let everyone present at a meeting or event know why your ASL interpreter and/or any deaf attendees might not be wearing a mask.

It is also worth remembering that the purpose of masks is to stop the spread of Covid-19 from wearers to others. As it stands, you can rest assured that our team at Languagers will never connect you with an ASL interpreter who we have reason to suspect has Covid-19.

Do you need to hire an ASL interpreter but have questions about safety or what VRI interpreting options are available? If so, feel free to reach out to one of our team directly for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

Sign Language Interpreting Services for Live Events

More businesses in the U.S. are investing in sign language interpreting services for conferences and live events than ever previously. The only question is, should you be following suit?

If you are not hearing-impaired, the idea of investing in sign language interpreting services for live events might seem confusing. However, hiring an interpreter for your next event might just be the best idea you’ve had this year.

An ASL Interpreter Makes Events More Inclusive

In the U.S. approximately 15% to 20% of people will experience hearing loss in their lifetime. What this means for your business is simple.

By not investing in sign language interpreting services for conferences, expos, and other events, you potentially exclude a fifth of attendees from fully participating.

Is a fifth of your audience worth you not talking to?

Hopefully, the answer to this question is a simple no. However, hiring an ASL interpreter when organizing a live event, doesn’t just make events more inclusive.

Hiring an ASL Interpreter Makes Events More Memorable

In May this year, people worldwide became familiar with the tragedy that was the death of Minnesotan George Floyd. However, when George Floyd’s funeral aired on ABC Television on June 9th, it wasn’t just Rev. Al Sharpton’s eulogy that got people talking.

When George Floyd’s funeral aired on ABC, millions of people started taking to social media to praise Houston ASL interpreter Gloria Alix.

As well as just interpreting the formalities of George Floyd’s celebration of life, Gloria Alix wowed audiences worldwide, as she interpreted not just several moving speeches, but also several high-energy musical performances.

This message is simple. — It’s not just people with hearing loss who benefit from ASL interpreters being present at events. When you hire the right interpreter. Events can become more memorable for everyone.

Sign Language Interpreting Services for Concerts & Performances

Are you planning a concert, theater production, or another kind of performance? If so, you might think it strange to even consider hiring an ASL interpreter. However, interpreters like Gloria Alix interpreting at events like concerts is altogether common.

Contrary to what you might think, only 1 in every 1,000 Americans are born with congenital deafness. Many deaf people can, therefore, appreciate live entertainment just as much as anyone else.

Attendees might not be able to hear singers belt out electrifying vocals. However, they can appreciate the atmosphere and energy of events. This is especially true when an ASL interpreter is present, who can interpret song titles, vocals, and performer dialogue.

Are You Planning a Conference, or Live Event?

Whatever kind of event you are planning, hiring an ASL interpreter is a must if you want to make your event as inclusive as possible. Doing so is also easier than you might think.

At Languagers, we work with hundreds of highly qualified ASL interpreters who have experience interpreting at conferences, expos, and live music performances. Simply tell us what kind of event you are planning, and we’ll find the right interpreter for you.