Interpreting, according to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), is "receiving a message in one language and delivering it in another." Please follow this link for more information on professional sign language interpreting: RID standard practice paper

VLI provides services for the following types of sign language:

• ASL: American Sign Language is a complex visual-gestural language possessing its own grammar and syntax.
• PSE: Pidgin Signed English uses ASL vocabulary in English word order.
• MCE: Manually Coded English systems are designed to represent exact spoken English in a visual form.
• NSS: Non-Standard Signing includes gestures, "home signs", and other idiosyncratic visual communication.
• ISL: International Sign Language is an intercontinental system of standardized signs.

VLI also provides:

• Oral Transliterating: Oral transliterating is designed to meet the needs of an individual who uses speech and speech-reading for communication.
• Low-Vision: Low-vision interpreting is specifically designed to consider the communication needs of a person with low visual acuity.
• Tactile: Tactile interpreting provides hand-on-hand signing and fingerspelling to individuals who have little or no vision.

VLI accepts the following national certifications from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID):

• National Interpreter Certification (NIC)
• National Interpreter Certification - Advanced
• National Interpreter Certification - Master
• Certificate of Interpreting (CI)
• Certificate of Transliteration (CT)
• Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)
• Master Comprehensive Skills Certificate (MCSC)
• Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC)

VLI accepts the following national certifications from the National Association of the Deaf (NAD):

• National Association of the Deaf - Level V (NADV)
• National Association of the Deaf - Level IV (NADIV)

VLI accept the following national certification from the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC):

• Certificate of Interpretation (COI)

VLI does not accept any state interpreter certifications. For more information about interpreter certification, please visit the following links:

• http://rid.org/nts2.html
• http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=869953
• http://www.avlic.ca/Evaluations.htm

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the national membership organization of sign language interpreters. RID certifies interpreters through its National Testing System, provides professional development opportunities through its Certification Maintenance Program, and promotes professional standards through its Code of Ethics and its Ethical Practices System. For more information about RID, please click on the following link: http://www.rid.org/about.html

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is a non-profit advocacy organization for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The NAD advocates in a broad spectrum of areas including, but not limited to: accessibility, education, employment, health care, mental health, rehabilitation, technology, telecommunications, and transportation. The NAD also maintained an interpreter certification program, which is now administered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). For more information of the NAD, please click on the following link: http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=99564

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation's foremost consumer organization representing people with hearing loss. The HLAA mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy, and support. Each year HLAA holds a Walk4Hearing to eradicate the stigma of using hearing devices, increase awareness of hearing loss as a health issue among the general public and raise funds for programs and services to support peole with hearing loss and their families on a local and national level. HLAA has 14 state organizations, 200 local chapters and a national office. For more information about the work HLAA does go to www.hearingloss.org

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is the instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and realtime software. The text appears on a computer monitor or other display. For more information on CART, please click on the following link: CART marketing brochure

The types of CART services which VLI provides are:

• On-Site: On-site CART brings the realtime writer to your location. On- site service provides maximum flexibility in meeting locations. Participants view the translation via laptop computer or projected image.
• Remote: Remote CART brings streaming text to any location with a phone line, computer, and an Internet connection. Our realtime writers attend via conference call, translate the spoken English into text, and transmit it to the user's computer over the Internet in less than 3 seconds.
• Overhead: Overhead CART is designed to provide communication access for large groups. This service is frequently used at conferences and special events to project text onto large screens or monitors placed throughout the room.
• Speaker Image: Speaker image captioning, similar to captioning on television, projects text on the same screen as the image of the speaker. This service is normally used for large group meetings and may be displayed on a large screen or monitors.

VLI accepts the following certifications from the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA):

• Certified CART Provider (CCP)
• Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR)
• Certified Broadcast Captioner (CBC)
• Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)
• Registered Merit Reporter (RMR)

For more information on CART certifications, please click on the following link: http://ncraonline.org/Testing/Certification/

The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is the professional membership organization for professionals who convert spoken word to text, including CART writers, captioners, and court reporters. The NCRA certifies CART writers, promotes professional development through its Continuing Education program, and promotes professional standards through it Code of Professional Ethics. For more information on the NCRA, please click on the following link: http://ncraonline.org/AboutNCRA/

Absolutely. The national certification programs for sign language interpreters and CART writers provide a uniform standard of competency. Interpreters or CART writers who have attained national certification have shown they have at least the minimum level of skills, as determined by their respective professional organizations, to provide services.

Interpreters and CART writers must also participate in certification maintenance or continuing education programs to maintain their certifications, which provides an opportunity for on-going professional development.

Nationally certified interpreters and CART writers must also adhere to codes of professional ethics which provide standards of professional conduct and confidentiality, and which provide a mechanism for customers to file complaints against practitioners who do not maintain those standards.

It should be kept in mind that national certification is the minimum requirement for practitioners who work for VLI. Every practitioner must also pass a rigorous quality assurance screening in order to ensure that they have the skills, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity to provide the very best services available. That being said, national certification is a standard that few of our competitors insist upon.

The difference is in who is setting the standard. A sign language interpreter or CART writer who is nationally certified has been tested using a uniform, standardized assessment system which has been created and which is administered by national professional organizations. The standard for labeling an interpreter "qualified" is solely at the discretion of the labeler.

That, of course, is not to say that every non-certified interpreter or writer is not qualified or able to provide great services. However, national certification ensures a minimum standard of competency. Minimums aren't really our thing at VLI, though, which is why, in addition to requiring national certification, we also insist that every practitioner pass a quality assurance screening.

It depends on the length of time that services are needed and the types of services that are provided. One of VLI's customer service representatives can help you determine how many interpreters will be required for your request. A good rule of thumb is that two interpreters are generally required for an assignment lasting longer than an hour-and-a-half. Two interpreters may be required for shorter assignments where the interpreting needs are more intensive, however.

It depends on the length of time that services are needed and the types of services that are provided. One of VLI's customer service representatives can help you determine how many writers will be required for your request. A good rule of thumb is that two writers are generally required for an assignment lasting longer than three hours. Two writers may be required for shorter assignments where the needs are more intensive, however.

Here is a basic checklist:

• Date
• Start time
• End time
• Location, with specifics about security procedures, directions, parking, and room numbers/locations
• Type of service needed (e.g. sign language interpreting and/or CART)
• Language preferences of consumer(s) (e.g. ASL, PSE, written English, etc.)
• Name(s) of consumer(s)
• Type of event (e.g. one-on-one meeting, staff meeting, conference, social event, etc.)
• Number of participants at event
• Nature of consumer participation (e.g. attendee, presenter, etc.)
• Billing information

Other information may be required in order to accommodate your request for services. A VLI customer service representative can help to ensure that all pertinent information is gathered for your request.

Unfortunately, no. VLI is not an advocacy organization, nor are we able to offer legal advice. There are many organizations that specialize in such activities, however. For starters, you can try the following link: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm