Life Long Learning

Deaf In Healthcare Summit  for Interpreters Pre-Conference (April 2022)

A total of .6 CEUs will be offered during the pre-conference for the 2022 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters. A new addition to the summit, this pre-conference will provide interpreters with the skills, knowledge and resources to support Deaf and hard of hearing medical professionals in clinical settings.

Deaf In Healthcare Summit  for Interpreters (April 2022)

Sessions range from hands-on workshops to panel discussions focused on providing interpreters with insight, solutions and best practices to position Deaf and hard of hearing clients for success in healthcare settings! 1.5 CEU's.

Cultural Competence by Sign Enhancers

This first course, in a series on Cultural Competence, is a reflection of work done by Belinda McCleese and Jonathan Webb in the summer of 2017. You will be introduced to a self-assessment inventory on cultural competence and cultural humility. Following the self-assessment you will find two open source videos that you will watch and perform some associated assignments and assessments. You will then watch three videos produced by Sign Enhancers and complete associated assessments and assignments. Finally, you will produce a reflective piece that summarizes your learning, experiences, and next steps.

At the conclusion of this training, learners will be able to:

1) Explain what cultural competency means to you personally, in terms of information presented in the course.
2) Self-evaluate your current demonstration of cultural competency, especially in terms of cultural humility.
3) Conceptualize and explain one measurable behavior or activity you will incorporate to demonstrate cultural humility and cultural competence.

Intersectionality in Behavioral Health

Cultural competencies are essential when interpreting between people of varying cultures. It is important to recognize how cultural differences impact the interpreting needs. This web-shop was designed with Najma Johnson. It provides an overview of structures of oppression and privilege using the theory of kyriarchy. It also discusses intersectionality in the Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing communities.

This web-shop:

• Defines structures of oppression and privilege.

• Uses case studies to illustrate how a person’s lived experience can impact how they interact with mental health systems.

• Provides tools to help interpreters develop cultural competencies.

The Deaf Blind Way

The DeafBlind and Sighted communities both experience some kind of awkward and uneasy feeling in working together, not sure which and what the best communication method is. This workshop is a perfect opportunity to have a quick preview of the most appropriate communication approach in the community. This workshop will also discuss the ProTactile movement that has changed the DeafBlind community. The workshop will include individual and group activities that would help.

Interpreting in Court: An Introduction

This workshop gave interpreters an overview of the basic protocols, strategies and knowledge necessary to enter the courtroom. Lecture focused on a few topics including, but not limited to, structure of the federal and state court, lawyer’s perspective on working with interpreters, deaf-hearing team, and introducing the players in the court room. The goal was for interpreters to leave with a fundamental grasp of interpreter role and responsibilities in legal and court settings.

Religious Interpreting

This workshop gave tools for

-Interpreting in Various Religious Settings
-Building Rapport with Church Staff
-Interpreting in Deaf Churches
-Hearing Churches with Deaf Ministries

AB5

“AB-5 is a California bill intended to protect independent contractors working for "gig" agencies, like Uber, Lyft, food delivery companies, etc. The problem is that AB-5 would also impact independent contractors working for interpreting agencies, meaning freelance interpreters and CART captioners. Southern California Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (SCRID) is leading the discussion on how we should amend OR revise AB-5 to include protections and exemptions for interpreters and captioners. Join us for an open dialogue on how the signing and CART communities should move forward.”

How to Take the EIPA

This workshop detailed what the EIPA (Educational Interpreters Performance Exam) exam looks like and introduced strategies to take the exam for a higher chance of passing.

Is ASL Too White?

Presented by professors of color at Gallaudet University, this webinar critically examined the Eurocentric foundations of ASL as well as its contrasting values of BASL.

Preparing for Mental Health Assignments: Confidence in Uncertain Setting

Mental health diagnoses can present unique challenges to the interpreting process. This workshop will discuss several common mental health diagnoses, the challenges that may arise associated with the illness, and strategies grounded in ethical decision-making processes for more favorable outcomes. The presenter will share specific interpreting approaches for working from ASL to English during these stress-filled situations. The session will include hands-on activities and case study discussions in small groups

Deaf Queer Awareness

Presenter Kellie Martin shares her experience as a Deaf queer artist as well as educates about polyamory within the Deaf community.

Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses Conference (August 2022)

Deaf and hard of hearing healthcare professionals, students, advocates, and allies will gather together to educate themselves on the best practices and resources to expand healthcare workforce diversity and improve patient care.

The 3 day event will take place at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and will feature educational presentations, keynote speakers, networking, booths provided by our sponsors, and more! The theme will be "Utilizing Technological Tools and Resources in Setting of a Pandemic for Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Medical Professionals/Trainees." 

Self Analysis: Space & Concept Equivalency  by Sign Enhancers

This course offers new and seasoned interpreters the opportunity to take a critical look at how space is used within an interpretation when working from spoken English to ASL. Participants will work off of a brief spoken English sample and provide a cold interpretation. This cold interpretation will then be used by the participant to analyze their work. Additionally, participants will analyze sample interpretations and conduct a comparative analysis. This work will then culminate in participants reinterpreting the original sample with the goal of incorporating as much appropriate space as possible with a final analysis of their cold and finished interpretations. This course is intended for hearing interpreters, and in particular, those for whom ASL is not their first language. While this is the intended audience, all ASL interpreters are encouraged to deliberately examine their use of space and this course may provide support in doing such.

Student Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to...

1) Analyze an interpretation for use of space.
2) Incorporate appropriate use of space in an interpretation.

The Legal System from an Interpreter’s Perspective

Objectives:

-Understand legal terminology in ASL and English

-Compare the differences between criminal and civil court

-Understand the role of the interpreter at arrest, Miranda warning, booking, first appearance, arraignment, discovery, pre trial hearing, deposition, and trial.

Sorenson Connections

Provides support and resources to local interpreters new to the VRS setting.

Through structured skill activities focused on specific linguistic features and the interpreting process, individuals are provided tools and opportunity to work toward their continued growth. Participants are connected with their local VRS call center and with each other to create communities of learning with the aim of improved services for deaf people to create a holistic approach for individuals preparing to enter the field of interpreting.

Interpreting “R” Rated Content

Interpreters working in every setting will encounter consumers who use profanity and/or talk about issues that are sensitive in nature.  Due to the nature of the language and the emotions these topics often evoke, interpreters must consider their impact on the interpreted interaction.  Participants will learn issues that impact interpreting this type of content, ethical considerations and factors that affect faithful interpreting in these situations. Warning! This workshop may contain explicit language and frank discussions on a variety of sensitive and controversial topics.

Educational Objectives:

-Participants will be able to identify subjects that illicit an emotional reaction from interpreters.

-Participants will be able to identify and describe the factors that affect the use of profanity by consumers.

-Participants will be able to define the context factors that interpreters must consider when interpreting profanity and sensitive content.

-Participants will be able to describe possible approaches to sensitive material when presented in sample scenarios.

Social Justice. Of, For, By the People

Presented by a panel of diverse Deaf guest speakers in partnership with the Deaf Studies department of CSUN, this conference was an opportunity for a formal discussion on Social Justice in the Deaf community as well as a showcase for the research conducted during DSA’s trip to Cape Town South Africa.

Teaming with a CDI

This web-shop:

• Identifies why we should advocate for CDI/CHI teams

• Suggests language for requesting a team

• Offers suggestions for pre/during/post discussions

• Provides role plays that illustrate the pre/post discussion plans

• Suggests further training and resources

Deaf Refugees

This workshop will focus on Deaf refugees’ human rights upon arriving on US soil, their physical and mental health, and stories of experiences they have had. The US is experiencing an increase in this population and they are coming to a land that thrives on freedom of speech, women’s rights, job opportunities, and much more. How does this affect the Deaf and Interpreting community? What protocols should you be aware of in order to ensure effective communication? This workshop will help expand awareness and improve working relationships with our clients and colleagues alike.

Workshop participants will learn how to effectively mediate interactions when working with Deaf Refugees in a variety of settings. The presentation will provide factual, procedural and metacognitive knowledge. Participants will demonstrate how to consciously approach refugees from a cultural-linguistic framework. Tools for analysis of a refugees’ awareness of their basic human rights in the US will be provided. Participants will learn how to apply knowledge gained to the work setting, one key application of which will be advance preparation.