MIS

Federal Laws Pertaining to Sign Language Interpreters

There are numerous state and federal laws that may apply to providing an interpreter. The most commonly known is the 1990 Americans with Disability Act (ADA). It states that public entities (like a medical office, hospital, legal office, counseling office, and much more) are required to provide ‘effective communication’ for their deaf clients.

This also pertains to companies that have deaf employees – you must provide effective communication for staff meetings, company functions, etc.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a national law that protects qualified individuals from discrimination based on their disability. The nondiscrimination requirements of the law apply to employers and organizations that receive financial assistance from any Federal department or agency, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These organizations and employers include many hospitals, nursing homes, mental health centers and human service programs.

Section 504 forbids organizations and employers from excluding or denying individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services. It defines the rights of individuals with disabilities to participate in, and have access to, program benefits and services.

Training And Norms For Sign Language Interpreters

Watch Dr. Melanie Metzger, chair of Department of Interpretation, on WAMU’s The Kojo Nnamdi Show opens a new window. In the wake of the controversy over the Sign language interpreter at the Nelson Mandela memorial service, Dr. Metzger discusses the profession of Sign Language Interpreting, and how ASL interpreter’s are trained and certified.

  1. All ASL interpreters are licensed by the state of Texas.
  2. Our interpreters always put the ‘deaf’ person first.
  3. We select the perfect interpreter to fit and match the perfect setting.
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Muslim Interpreter Services

Meet ISDHH's official ASL Interpreter Jessica

ISDHH offers Muslim Interpreting Services (MIS) by having licensed professional Sign Language Interpreters. Jessica from Viva Interpreting & Consulting is our official ASL interpreter.
Below are reasons why you need ASL interpreter; courtesy of Viva Interpreting & Consulting.

Why you benefit from an Interpreter

A flyer titled “Do I really need an Interpreter?”
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