ASL-English Interpreters

The role of the ASL – English interpreter is to facilitate communication from English to ASL and from ASL to English. To ensure equal access for Deaf and hard of hearing students, the ASL – English interpreter will provide interpretation in classroom lectures, tutorials, shop/labs, meetings, presentations, graduation, conferences, student conversations, small/large group interactions and Red River College Polytechnic/Student Association functions.

Role of an American Sign Language – English Interpreter

The purpose of the ASL – English interpreter is to provide interpreting services to Deaf and hard of hearing student/s in the classroom and at RRC Polytech.

• The ASL – English interpreter facilitates communication from English to ASL and ASL to English.
• Everything that is heard will be interpreted or translated including: lectures, videotapes, student questions/comments, presentations, group activities and any other information relating to course content or participant interaction.
• Environmental sounds, such as a knock on the door or a fire alarm, will also be interpreted or translated.
• Everything the Deaf student signs will be spoken in English.
• Staff will wait 15 minutes outside the classroom for the student and then they will notify the Coordinator of Interpreting Service. If the student is late, the interpreter will use the in/out white board to indicate where they can be found. The in/out board is located in D102H and it is the student’s responsibility to check where the interpreter is located. Please see Jill Patterson if the interpreter cannot be found as he/she may have been reassigned to work elsewhere.
• Interpreters work for Red River College Polytechnic and are present to provide service for everyone in the classroom including the students and instructors.
• ASL interpreters may also provide:
  Editing: An interpreter can help with editing of student’s work and will provide editing during tests and exams if it is recommended by the student’s counselor
  Interpreting of written material / information on computers: An interpreter or note taker can interpret/ clarify written information from a text book, hand-outs, computers, CD’s, etc.
• The ASL – English interpreter will be positioned within close proximity of the instructor and/or other visually aided materials.

Code of Ethics

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services staff follow the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada’s Code of Ethics (AVLIC). Some of the guidelines are:

• To keep all information confidential. Information regarding Deaf or hard of hearing student’s and their related courses will be kept in strict confidence.
• When there are two interpreters teaming a class they will share information about the course to provide consistent quality of service.
• Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services staff will not counsel, advise or interject their personal opinions and must remain neutral.
• The interpretation or translation shall be faithful to the message of the source language.

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