Presenters: Tracy Bell, DHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Div. Marty Barnum, CSD of Minnesota Heather Gilbert, CSD of Minnesota

ASL, the Deaf community, law and standards in Minnesota

Deaf Community and Interpreter Needs  American Sign Language – native language for many people who are deaf  The availability of interpreters opens doors for communication access  Deaf people want equal access: Medical appointments Education Legal Entertainment Other services available to the public

Communicating in ASL vs. English  ASL is a visual language with its own grammar/syntax  Preferred language of the deaf community ○ ACTIVITY  English often a second language Auditory and written language Examples of written English by some deaf: ○ I pray not weak or sick that sat it rollercoaster sick and better ○ Where interrupt!!

Interpreter access may be needed:  Medical  Legal  Social Services  Other public accommodations

Certification Standards in Minnesota  Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf  Certification Levels Generalist and Specialist No MN licensure  Code of Professional Conduct

A brief overview

Americans With Disabilities Act Effective: 1992 Title I: Employment Title II: State and Local Government Title III: Public Accommodation

MN Human Rights Act Entities may not discriminate from providing access to any of the protected classes

ADA Law: Legal Words  “auxiliary aids and services”: includes interpreters, TTY’s, VP’s, ALD’s, etc.  “effective communication”: communication as effective as communication with others  “primary consideration”: must honor the deaf person’s choice unless “undue burden” (only applies to ADA Title II)

ADA Law: Legal Words  “Qualified Interpreter”: An interpreter who is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.

Traditional System of Providing Communication For Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind Patients

Interpreting versus Helping  Family and Friends  Co-Workers  Interpreters  Certified Interpreters  Higher Certifications and Standards  Specialized Training

Who is qualified to interpret? (Who is qualified to interpret for medical situations?) Interpreters in Minnesota: 368Certified (Generalist) (Probably over 400) 116High level (CI/CT) 63High level (NAD IV/V) 22Old High level (CSC) 15NEW High level NIC-Advanced 10 NEW High level NIC-Master 7Legal Specialist Certificate 1CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)

MN Interpreters in 2010  19 Minnesota Supreme Court Roster interpreters  Less than 10 legal interpreters living in Greater MN  Hospital settlements have set a new standard of advanced certification  Less than 50 highly qualified available to interpret in Greater MN

Auxiliary Aids  TTY Machine  Paper and Pen  Sign Language Interpreter  Letters, s  Amplification systems

Settlements  Examples of Hospital Settlements Metro (Allina, HealthEast, Fairview, No. Memorial, HCMC) Greater MN (St. Mary’s Duluth)  Standards set by the Settlements Emergency On Call 24/7 High level certification Response time Not using family Provide interpreters for family & companions  Result: MHC

MN Hospital Consortium  November 2005  27 facilities  Guaranteed response for emergencies  Response time: within 1 hour 80% of the time; within 2 hours 90% of the time.  HealthEast  Park Nicollet  Children’s  HCMC  Allina  Fairview

New and innovative methods of providing access

Recent advances in Communication Access  Metro-area Nursing Homes  Urgent Care Facilities  Law Enforcement Agencies in Greater Minnesota  Benton County Jail  Martin County, Nobles County Jail

Using technology to meet the need  , Mobile Devices  VRS  VRI

Mobile forms of communication access

Video Relay Service (2004) *VRS is funded by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) by telephone surcharge. It is a service provided to both hearing and Deaf consumers at no charge when making a telephone call.

ZVRS Video Relay Service Z-OJO and Z-150Video Payphone

VRI: ON-DEMAND INTERPRETING ONLINE (2008) ON-Demand Interpreting Online is an interpreting service streamed through the internet.  Equipment needed: Desk top or laptop computer Webcam Speakerphone Software download

On-Demand Interpreting Online 1) Service in less than 10 minutes! 2) Qualified, Certified, and Trained Interpreters on Call via Video 3) ADA Compliant* 4) HIPAA Compliant

How to get your ODIO Video Interpreter User Answering Service InterpreterUser Video Connection

Limitations to Remote Interpreting Services  Not always best for sensitive situations  Not conducive to some group activities or some medical situations  Not appropriate for sensitive legal settings; i.e. interrogations, court  Remote areas without high speed access  Deaf-Blind Individuals

Resources    MCDHH Deaf Rights in Minnesota website: rights.state.mn.us/home.jsp rights.state.mn.us/home.jsp  Dept of Justice Settlement agreement with Duluth SMDC and Bender: