LC Interpreting Services is now SignNexus!

SignNexus ASL Interpreting Services LC graphic

EMPOWERING PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

SignNexus sets the standard for excellence and efficiency when accommodating the diverse communication and cultural needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.

best-asl-sign-language-interpreting-services-nyc

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING

SignNexus is a distinguished interpreting agency that specializes in American Sign Language, International Sign, and other sign language modalities. On-site and Remote Sign Language Interpreting Services are available to help organizations fulfill their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sign language interpreting services | Inquiry

 

best-realtime-captioning-cart-services-nyc

CART SERVICES

SignNexus offers Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, also known as Realtime Captioning, for live events. Remote Captioning Services are also available to facilitate ADA compliant accessibility for virtual events on any platform.

 

Realtime Captioning CART Services | Inquiry

 

Settings

SignNexus Interpreters and Captioners have extensive experience in a variety of specialized settings.

asl-interpreting-services-deaf-performance-arts-settingsconferences-and-expo-asl-deaf-interpreting-servicestop-film-and-tv-asl-interpreting-services-usaasl-interpreting-agency-services-for-educational-settingsasl-deaf-interpreting-services-for-business-settingslegal-asl-interpreting-services-agency-for-deafmedical-asl-interpreting-services-agencymental-health-interpreting-servicesreligious-interpreting-servicesSTEM-interpreting-servicesvideo-remote-interpreting-servicesBest-remote-captioning-CART-services-agency-NYC

TRUSTED BY COMPANIES AND CLIENTS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

Best ASL Agency Deaf Services NYC | Past Clients & Reviews

Monthly Archives: February 2015

Medical Interpreting

doctor-asl-interpreter-05bPicture yourself at a hospital– maybe you are the patient, or perhaps your child has come down with an illness. The doctors and nurses are attentive, but there’s one problem: they all use a foreign language. Speaking from behind their masks, the medical professionals poke and prod the patient, gesturing at you and expecting answers. Without the ability to accurately describe symptoms or understand diagnoses, receiving medical care is extremely difficult. To help the deaf community get access to the medical care they deserve, specially trained Medical Interpreters should be utilized.

Let’s face it, medical terminology and sterile healthcare settings can be overwhelming enough without a language barrier. When a person’s wellness is on the line, or even a person’s life, there is no room for misunderstanding. According to the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), “individuals whose language is American Sign Language (ASL) or another sign language are often denied access to the health care system because most providers do not provide adequate communication access through qualified interpreters.” That means hundreds of thousands of deaf individuals across this country struggle to receive appropriate medical treatment, simply because they use an American language other than English. This is not what equality looks like– it’s a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it is oppressive.

hospital-asl-interpreter-03bIn a healthcare setting, qualified Medical Interpreters must be provided upon a patient’s request to help ensure effective communication. If a patient, their family members, or companion utilize ASL as their primary form of communication, it is the duty of the healthcare institution to ensure these persons receive the same level of care as non-deaf patients. A doctors office might have some of the best practitioners in the field, but without a qualified Medical Interpreter to facilitate communication, that office does not provide quality services to deaf individuals. Sadly, this discrimination is common in the healthcare industry.

Medical Interpreting: Important Factors

Providing qualified Medical Interpreters is one of the most fundamental ways a healthcare institution can respect the rights of deaf patients. Medical Interpreters possess a specific skill set which enables them to facilitate the delivery of important, possibly life changing medical diagnoses.

Fluency

Qualified Medical Interpreters will be highly proficient in both ASL and English, demonstrating linguistic and cultural competency. They will also be prepared to make accommodations for patients with little fluency in ASL or English, such as immigrants, or people who have developmental disabilities. When a person’s health is in jeopardy, effective communication between the patient and doctor is absolutely critical. Doctors need to know specific symptoms with as much detail as possible. Patients deserve to understand the examinations and tests they undergo, along with any concerns their physician might have. Doctor-patient communication is very particular, and can mean the difference between early diagnosis and overlooking a serious issue.

Medical Terminology

medical-asl-interpreter-01bThe healthcare industry has a culture all it’s own, with a language and lingo most laypeople can’t understand. Qualified Medical Interpreters are intimately familiar with medical terms, and able to communicate these concepts to deaf patients. A Medical Interpreter will arrive to an assignment already prepared to work with a specific patient, having researched their case as appropriate.

Familiar with Technology & Procedures

Specially trained Medical Interpreters must be flexible, ready to adapt to a less than ideal interpreting environment. This might mean interpreting during a eye exams, dental surgeries, X-Rays, MRIs, or other procedures which limit visibility for the patient. Medical Interpreters have a general understanding of these procedures and how they impact communication ability, and will be prepared to provide additional services as needed. A qualified Medical Interpreter knows where to stand and how to avoid disrupting medical professionals as they work.

Cross-Cultural Awareness

medical-asl-interpreter-02bThose who work in the healthcare industry are part of a unique medical culture that has it’s own structure, value, and language. For example, there is a big difference between medical culture– where doctors average only minutes of face time with each patient, and deaf culture– where simple goodbyes often last half an hour. Because of their familiarity with both medical culture and deaf culture, Medical Interpreters are able to adjust their technique and provide special accommodations as needed. The ability to speak on the level of all parties helps effectively bridge the communication gap. Effective cultural mediation can lead to more accurate diagnoses, better healthcare outcomes, and help form positive relationships between patients and healthcare practitioners.

Ethical Boundaries

Medical Interpreters play a very influential role in the healthcare of deaf individuals, so it is critical to know their own limitations. These interpreters must be self aware; prepared to turn down an assignment if they are not absolutely qualified for the job or if an ethical conflict arises. Medical Interpreters value the role of Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDIs) in healthcare settings, and understand how to work as a team with CDIs to facilitate effective communication. Specialized Medical Interpreters recognize the autonomy of deaf people from all walks of life, and endeavor to provide communication access without influencing the healthcare decisions of these individuals. Medical Interpreters adhere to strict confidentiality and privacy terms, in line with both the NAD/RID code of conduct and HIPPA guidelines.

Advocacy

medical-asl-interpreter-10Oppression can be subtle and even unintentional, so one role of the Medical Interpreter is to help protect the rights of deaf patients at a time when they might be unable to do so themselves. Medical Interpreters are able to provide deaf individuals additional support and explanations, and can help practitioners understand the unique needs of their deaf patients. A qualified Medical Interpreter will advocate on behalf of the deaf consumer as necessary: for example explaining to nurses that arm restraints should not be utilized when a patient’s primary language is ASL, or that doctors should speak to the patient directly (not the interpreter). Medical Interpreters are familiar with laws that mandate healthcare, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act, and endeavor to preserve the rights of deaf Americans under these laws.

Technology

As technology becomes more integrated into our healthcare systems, it is important for Medical Interpreters to understand how these advancements impact the treatment of deaf patients. It is crucial that interpreters are able to explain the limitations of devices like Video Relay Interpreters (VRI) to healthcare professionals. There is a misconception that VRI will replace live interpreters; in truth, VRI is a “better than nothing” solution that quickly enables urgent communication. Medical Interpreters are able to describe the benefits and drawbacks of communication technologies, and should encourage institutions to educate themselves about these devices and systems.

Continuous Professional Development

medical-asl-interpreter-04bThe healthcare field is constantly evolving, so Medical Interpreters must be ready to adapt. New machines, new procedures, and new terminology appear each day. Medical Interpreters are expected to engage in continuous professional development to ensure their skill set matches the current medical landscape. It is expected that Medical Interpreters will work to address in any gaps in knowledge through research, mentorship, workshops, seminars, and conferences related to the healthcare and interpreting fields.

Deaf patients looking for medical assistance, from routine checkups to emergency services, must go above and beyond to seek out institutions with reputations for providing communication access, or fight the battle to receive the accommodations they are entitled to. This discrimination is unacceptable in our modern day. To ensure your institution provides equal access to patients of all abilities, be sure to maintain a list of qualified Medical Interpreters.

SignNexus is proud to provide high quality medical interpreting services for deaf/HoH, deaf-blind, deaf close-vision, or late-deafened consumers. We emphasize both patient and provider satisfaction!

Request services

 

References:

 

Let’s See More #DeafTalent in Hollywood

deaftalent-hashtag-twitter-01Over the past couple weeks, the #DeafTalent movement spread like wildfire across social media. Using this hashtag, members of the Deaf community publicly spoke out against the cultural appropriation of deafness in movies and TV. With so many talented deaf/HoH performer working to catch their big break in Hollywood, it is inexcusable that hearing actors and actresses continue being cast for these roles. Deaf parts belong to deaf performers– people who understand the experience of hearing loss and can accurately portray deaf characters. Just as blackface is not an acceptable way to depict a black character, having a non-deaf actor pretend to be deaf is irresponsible, unethical, and offensive.

deaftalent-hashtag-deaf-movie-roles-02The #DeafTalent hashtag began making waves after a NY Daily News interview with Catalina Sandino Moreno raised red flags in the Deaf community. Moreno, a hearing actress, was cast to play a deaf woman in the leading role of her new film Medeas. But in the NYDN interview, it became clear that Moreno has had very little exposure to deafness or Deaf culture. After watching the trailer for the film and then learning that a deaf actress had even advised Moreno not to play the character, many deaf actors used the internet to express their frustration. Academy Award winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin weighed in on the Medeas controversy in a series of tweets which pointed out the cultural insensitivity of the filmmakers. She particularly addressed their use of the term “deaf mute,” which many in the deaf community regard as outdated and oppressive.

The community rallied to let it be known that hearing actors taking on deaf roles is simply not appropriate. As talented deaf individuals struggle to find work in Hollywood, due to a lack of roles, it is problematic that the few available deaf parts are being given to non-deaf performers.

Deaf artists and allies began using #DeafTalent to point out the cultural disconnect in our mainstream media, to highlight those who have succeeded against the odds, the and to help promote the many talented deaf people who are seeking work in the film and TV industry. Actress Amber Zion created a grapic demanding Hollywood to “Stop allowing hearing actors playing deaf characters.” This meme was widely reposted across social media, raising awareness about the #DeafTalent campaign. Filmmaker Jules Dameron, who recently released a Disney-approved ASL version of “Let it Go” from Frozen, used her Tumblr page to track the #DeafTalent movement as it grew. This two-part post amplifies the voice of the Deaf community by providing a comprehensive #DeafTalent timeline with videos and links.

deaftalent-hashtag-deaf-movie-roles-04Switched at Birth actor Nyle DiMarco posted a video on YouTube in which he says he is “disappointed and insulted” by the choice to cast hearing actors in deaf roles. “We deaf people, including People of Color, transgendered, and disabled people all have true experiences,” DiMarco explains. “We all are talented people! But they keep on casting actors other than us. Our roles have been stolen. They keep stealing our opportunities.”

The issues surrounding the #DeafTalent campaign have been simmering for decades, and they deserve mainstream attention. Many members of the Deaf community have done a great job dissecting the problems that exist in Hollywood, and proposing ethical solutions. There are some very intelligent and talented deaf individuals attempt to educate the media about portrayals of deaf/HoH in film and TV.

Thomsen Young wrote an excellent piece on The Silent Grapevinedeaftalent-im-mad-deaf-movie-roles-05 that explains why #DeafTalent matters. Young concludes that this movement goes beyond Hollywood, it is a demand for opportunities in all areas of life. Deaf YouTuber Rogan Shannon posted an impassioned video titled I’M MAD where he elaborates on why non-deaf actors in hearing roles is a cultural problem. Another deaf YouTuber, Rikki Poytner tells Hollywood she “has a bone to pick” with them in her video. Poytner’s straightforward take on the #DeafTalent campaign is both entertaining and educational!

Meanwhile, proving the value of #DeafTalent, deaf actress Treshelle Edmond performed a beautiful ASL rendition of the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. The Deaf West production of Tony Award winning musical “Spring Awakening” wowed audiences, selling out and receiving critical acclaim from both deaf and hearing audiences. If Hollywood can’t deaftalent-hashtag-deaf-movie-roles-07find capable #DeafTalent, it’s because they aren’t really looking for it. While deaf performers compete with hearing actors to fill deaf roles, it’s becoming clear that general audiences crave true diversity. But when will the film and TV industry wake up?

As I watch my deaf nieces become beautiful talented young women, I know we must fight for all children to grow up in a world of possibility. The #DeafTalent campaign is about more than just deaf actors in Hollywood, it is about creating opportunities in work and in life. It is about empowerment and deaf self-advocacy. It is about breaking down the cultural attitudes that serve as barriers, keeping skilled and capable deaf individuals from pursuing their dreams. #DeafTalent is about providing opportunities for deaf people, and preserving their right to be successful.

Hiring and Supporting Deaf Employees

hiring-deaf-employees-01bApplying for jobs can be exciting and nerve-wracking. You revise your resume until it is in top form, hoping your professional skills are strong enough about to be considered for the position. When a company contacts you to schedule a formal interview, gushing about how well qualified you are, they suggest that the job is essentially yours. It seems like everything is going great, right up until you inform the hiring manager that you are deaf and will need a sign language interpreter for the interview. “Oh, we will have to get back to you about that,” they say. But they almost never do.

It is well known in the Deaf community that a persons’ best chance of being considered for a job to bring their own interpreter for the interview– even though the ADA legally requires hiring entities to cover this cost. Sadly, instead of organizations accommodating the needs of a diverse workforce, deaf individuals have to accommodate for discriminatory hiring practices. And if they do get hired, after paying for their own interpreter, deaf individuals often continue to encounter both overt and subtle workplace discrimination.

hiring-deaf-employees-02bDeaf people have to constantly push back against a society that was not designed for them to succeed. As an interpreter and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), it can be hard to witness the structural injustice faced by my deaf colleagues and family members on a daily basis. I was recently on an assignment where the deaf consumer shared with me their frustration that the only times they were ever provided an interpreter was when it was absolutely necessary to moving forward on a project. This deaf individual works for a federal agency– an organization with plenty of funding to properly support their employees– yet has to work harder than any of their coworkers just to participate in the workplace.

Almost everyone has been in a work situation, at one time or another, where you were not provided the appropriate resources for the job. When you don’t have the tools you need, it can be difficult or even impossible to complete a task. This is discouraging and, if this pattern continues over a period of time, employees begin to feel disengaged from the organization. Employees perform best and are able to excel when they feel supported. The needs of deaf employees are a little different, and can vary from one situation to the next, but accommodations are generally not hard to make. Forming a positive relationship with deaf employees starts, just like any relationship, with a sense of respect.

hiring-deaf-employees-03bRespect comes from understanding, from communicating, and from making a person feel appreciated. Before you even interview a deaf job candidate, do a little research on deaf communication and Deaf culture. We live in the age of the internet, where there is a wealth of information available; it only takes a short amount of time to give yourself a basic education. Nobody expects you to be a scholar on deafness– simply that you look beyond the stereotypes and approach the topic with an open mind. Learn that the deaf experience is different for everyone, about the different methods deaf individuals use to navigate the hearing world , and how to provide accommodations for equal access in the workplace.

Besides possessing the general skills required for the job, deaf employees can bring a unique perspective to your organization. Unfortunately, if deaf people do not feel like they are truly part of the team, they are unlikely to open up and contribute. If deaf employees are not able to participate equally in training seminars, team building exercises, meetings, or day-to-day office activities, they will probably not feel connected to the success of the organization. The best way to include deaf individuals in the workplace is to simply ask them what accommodations would make them most comfortable in each situation. Accommodations might range from from creating closed captioned training videos, to implementing Video Relay Service, to acquiring sign language interpreters. Reasonable accommodations will vary from person to person, but they are generally neither inconvenient nor cost prohibitive to provide. In the end, the entire organization benefits when they can get the most out of their employees.

hiring-deaf-employees-04bIn our current shifting social climate, organizations of all sizes are looking for ways to create workplace diversity. Diversity initiatives might be good intentioned, but many times they are poorly implemented, leaving these minority employees to sink or swim. Supporting deaf staff on an ongoing basis is like providing hardware and software updates, it is like making sure the break room has coffee– it is a crucial part of creating a healthy and functional working environment. It is simple, and the right thing to do.

Hiring and Supporting Deaf Employees

LC Interpreting Services (now known as SignNexus) is pleased to offer sign language interpreting services and cultural competency training for businesses and organizations. Provide your deaf employees with the professional support they need; and learn how to truly benefit from having deaf employees join the team.