1. 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,
Researcher: Cullen Dilldine

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

3. 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

4. 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%

5. 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%

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

7. 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.

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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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.”