Researcher: Cullen Dilldine Rural Interpreting Services in Colorado Trish Leakey, J.D. Timothy Chevalier, Ed.D. August 14, 2019 State Human Services Applied Research Practicum (SHARP) Fellowship, 2018-2019 Researcher: Cullen Dilldine

Overall RISP Structure Filling rural sign language interpreting requests Providing initial/advanced ASL/English interpreter training Outreach: town hall meetings—RESEARCH!

Research Methods Quantitative Methods Qualitative Methods Town hall surveys– 90 General Community surveys, 22 DHHDB Community surveys U.S. Census Bureau population data RISP service requests– 319 service requests at the time of this report (current total is 677 service requests) Qualitative Methods Town hall transcript analysis– Analyzed 9 town hall transcripts at the time of this report (current total is 12 transcripts) Interpreter training interviews– Conducted and analyzed 5 training interviews

RISP Requests through April 30, 2019 Category of services Total % MEDICAL 279 66% Medical 200 72% Mental health 55 20% Dentist 24 9%   MEETINGS 88 21% Meeting 37 42% Training 16 18% Government-related 13 15% School-related Employment-related 9 10% LEGAL-RELATED 23 5% Law enforcement 3 13% Legal consultation or court-related 20 87% PLATFORM 17 4% Event 53% Presentation 8 47% MISCELLANEOUS 19 Other 90% Stand-by 2 421 101%

Town hall survey findings: Organizations 70% serve DHHDB individuals monthly or more frequently How do they communicate with folks who are DHHDB? Writing Notes 54% Family/Friends 37% Lip Reading 34% Gesture/pointing 32% Certified Sign Language Interpreter, RID 20% Manual spelling 19% Staff VRI Sign Language Interpreter, unsure of certification 17%

Town hall survey findings: DHHDB community Who do folks who are DHHDB prefer to interpret for them?

ASL-users prefer to rely on in-person Placement in a more visually accessible location. Easier to see the doctor and interpreter at the same time while viewing a medical chart or human anatomy model which enables the physician to explain a disease, injury, or illness that affects a specific area of the body. This enhances the patient’s comprehension. Onsite interpreter can filter out noise better. Avoid technical and logistical problems. VRI often times provides non certified interpreters, whereas RISP provides on-site, qualified interpreters.

Town hall interviews: Barriers Town Hall Meetings (n=9) Geography Lack of knowledge Cost

Town hall surveys: Barriers What are the reasons interpreters are not provided? (Barriers) Other on general community survey--- remoteness of consumers, geographic isolation of providers, remote location, and then also dealt with issues of a lack of certified interpreters– there is only one in the community, limited in the valley, etc. Other on the DHHDB community survey: there needed to be more interpreters, there was a need for certification training and more certified interpreters, the deaf community may not know about the services.

Town hall surveys: Solutions What ideas do you have to improve interpreting services? (Strategies) General Community Priority Rank DHHDB Community Interpreting free of charge 1 More interpreter training 2 More training on how to provide access to services 3 Training on how to work with interpreters 4 Having access to one-on-one navigators 5 Other 6

Key Takeaways Certified interpreters are the preference, but are rarely utilized Current communication methods jeopardize effective communication access Particularly in medical and legal settings Barriers preventing access to certified interpreters are threefold: There are rarely enough in the area Knowing how to find them is a challenge Cost can be prohibitive

Requesting RISP Interpreting Services Submit requests: Online through RISP website: www.colorisp.com (click on “Request Form” tab) On paper (see handout—the interpreter request form) via email, fax, or mail Call our office at 720-457-3679 Discuss communication logistics

RISP Coverage Examples of what is covered: What is NOT covered: Medical Student/pre-K to Grade 12 educational interpreting Employment Legal College/university interpreting Community events— Federal programs including school events and meetings for parents Discuss communication logistics Let community know sign language interpreting is available Example: “American Sign Language/English interpreting services are available. It is best to make requests two weeks in advance to better ensure that an interpreter will be available.”