Interpreting Services

A Deaf Interpreter (CDI/DI) is a specialist who provides interpreting, translation, and transliteration services in American Sign Language and other visual and tactual communication forms used by individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and Deaf-Blind. Deaf Interpreters work most often in tandem with hearing interpreters. Like other professionals, these DI’s, have interpreting training. Additional specialty training equips them to be best suited for interpreting situations with complex language demands and dynamics.

• Medical center, hospital and doctor's appointments
• Workshops/Conferences
• Business meetings, job interviews, job trainings, etc.
• Public and private school K-12 related meetings, parent/teacher conferences, Open Houses, student events, awards ceremonies etc.
• Post-secondary courses, meetings etc. 
• Deaf community events
• State and local agency events
• Family and social gatherings

You can initiate a request for ASL or Deaf interpreters by filling out our online form.

Service is subject to the availability of appropriate providers.

The more advance notice we have, the better we can assess your needs and provide the appropriate interpreters for your specific request.  Fourteen (14) business days is preferred.

Terms and Conditions must be agreed upon before placing your request for interpreting.

Paying for the service is the responsibility of the entity requesting the service in accordance with the American With Disabilities Act (ADA). 

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, such as: jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Our agency focuses on communication access between Deaf and hearing consumers.  Communication accommodations vary depending on the Deaf individual’s needs.

References:
Massachusetts Section 92A
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

Tax Credits: To assist businesses with complying with the ADA, Section 44 of the IRS Code allows a tax credit for small businesses and Section 190 of the IRS Code allows a tax deduction for all businesses.

• Name, telephone number and organization(if applicable) of the requester
• Date(s) 
• Start and End Time - A two-hour minimum charge for each interpreter is required
• Location Address - including specifics necessary for finding the location (i.e., the name and number of the building, clinic, floor, room, etc.)
• Purpose: Business meeting, medical appointment, workshop, lecture, etc.   
• Name and telephone numbers of the “on-site contact person”.  Often requesters are not at the event/meeting
• If you are new to requesting services, you will also be required to provide billing information

If your request is canceled less than 48 business hours prior to the scheduled time, you will be charged for the amount of time requested on your interpreting request.  This is also applicable if you reschedule with less than 48 business hours notice. 

You can cancel or reschedule by sending an email to isupport@tlcdeaf.org

When an interpreter arrives at an assignment and the D/deaf client is absent, the entity responsible for payment will be charged for the requested time of service.

To support the best communication, it is best when interpreters have the opportunity to prepare well  in advance. With these materials, they are better able to provide the best interpretation possible. It is easier and more convenient for all parties involved when our interpreters know exactly what to expect from the appointment.  

To ​assure the highest quality communication, assignments exceeding one hour may require a team of two or more interpreters. Our schedulers are trained to understand the nature of each request and the necessity for a team is addressed on a case by case basis.

We reserve the right to send Tandem Interpreters (Team of Deaf and Hearing Interpreters) to new client assignment(s) for language assessment to identify if needed for Deaf Interpreting, required for any assignment for a child under the age of 18 to provide full language support and accessibility, or requested by the consumer.