VIEWS Fall 2020

VIEWS Volume 4 | Issue 37 | Fall 2020

EDUCATION

FEATURES

LEARNING AND GROWING IN THE PANDEMIC ERA An interview with Tarra Grammenos, Minnesota RID President INTERPRETING @ VIEWS ARCHIVES Research Needs in Interpreting Identified SELF-CARE: We Need Each Other by Breana Cross-Caldwell REFLECTIONS FROM AN OLD HAND by Phil Giambaresi

If you are interested in supporting interpreters who are RID members, please consider making an unrestricted donation here. Donations are fully tax-deductible. The donated funds collected will be dispersed among RID members who are experiencing financial hardship at a later date.

secure.givelively.org/donate/registry-of-interpreters-for-the-deaf/covid-19-certified-interpreter-relief-fund

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

VIEWS IN THIS ISSUE:

Fall

COVER STORIES

Learning and Growing in the Pandemic Era p.24

Governance

A Letter from the Editor / 4 President's Report / 6 Region I Report / 10 Region II Report / 12 Region IV Report / 14 Region V Report / 16

Columns Affiiliate Chapter Corner / 24 Interpreting @ VIEWS Archives / 28 Self Care: We Need Each Other / 32 Reflections from an Old Hand / 36

News EmergencyAccess.info / 20 Discover Interpreting Online / 23 From the Desks at HQ / 27 Newly Certified / 37

2020

Interpreting @ VIEWS Archives 1981: Research Needs in Interpreting Identified p. 28

Self-Care: We Need Each Other p. 32

Reflections from an Old Hand p. 36

To view all articles in ASL, visit our Fall VIEWS playlist on YouTube: www.rid.org/november2020viewsplaylist/ www.rid.org

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A Letter from the Editor I

nterpreting is the act of conveying meaning between people who use signed and/or spoken languages.

We are interpreters. We are an intimate, wrapped-in part of other people’s lives. We are there from birth through death, in the background, in the foreground, in the hospitals, and in the streets. Some of us remember that we had to be the ears for our moms and dads. And for some of us, interpreting came about by chance, or by intention, or we “fell into being an interpreter.” Interpreting became a part of our identity.

RID is about all of us, collectively, as a membership, working together. We are “thinkers” and “doers” who inspire each other to become involved as advocates, according to Dr. Edgar Lowell, an RID co-founder. During a conference in 1980, held in the city of Tucson, Arizona, Lowell encouraged participants to become involved in the political process.

As interpreters, we are a part of the political fabric of our communities. And we are living through a major period of social upheaval.

“On top of the myriad responsibilities we all have we are also expected to take responsibility for our profession,” says President Jonathan Webb, in our Fall 2020 President’s Message. “We are asked to be responsible for how we engage in our practice…the work we have before us is not easy. Yet the reality is that it isn’t going to get any easier. We must simply dig in.”

In this edition of VIEWS, the underlying context is that we do this work because we want to know that we have “positively impacted the world in a way that makes life a bit more comfortable for others,” says Webb. Tarra Grammenos, president of Minnesota RID says, “I love being a part of a team of people

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https://youtu.be/shloOEThbrw who genuinely care about each other and…I serve because I am learning skills I wouldn’t have learned otherwise.”

We are learning together how to be inclusive, how to challenge systemic audism and racism, and how to manage and resist complacency with consciousness and fortitude. We are working together to inspire personal and professional excellence, inform and teach best practices while learning how to manage through this current period of massive systemic change.

But we don’t have to do this alone. We may be “much more comfortable extending a hand or listening ear or eyes to others,” than in accepting support. We have the power to become more intentional about what we believe. To do all of this – externally and internally, we need each other. What can we do together?

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RID BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Jonathan Webb, Ph.D, CI and CT, NIC Advanced president@rid.org Vice President Paul Glaser, MSE, CDI vicepresident@rid.org Secretary Kelly Decker, NIC Advanced secretary@rid.org Treasurer Yakata Nichols, NIC treasurer@rid.org Member at Large LaTanya Jones, M.S.M., NIC memberatlarge@rid.org Deaf Member at Large Branton Stewart, CID, CLIP-R dmal@rid.org Region I Representative Jason Farr, NIC region1rep@rid.org Region II Representative Eliezer Sierra, MS, NIC, BEI Trilingual: Advanced region2rep@rid.org Region III Representative Marva Johnson, NIC region3rep@rid.org Region IV Representative Deborah Martinez, MA, CI and CT, NIC Advanced, SC:L region4rep@rid.org Region V Representative Krystal Sanders, CDI region5rep@rid.org

RID HEADQUARTERS STAFF Chief Operating Officer Elijah Sow esow@rid.org Director of Finance and Operations Jennifer Apple japple@rid.org Finance and Operations Manager Kristyne Reeds kreeds@rid.org RID/CASLI Staff Accountant Tong Rogers trogers@rid.org Operations Specialist Aubrey Moorman amoorman@rid.org Senior Director of Standards and Practices Ryan Butts rbutts@rid.org EPS Administrator Tressela Bateson tbateson@rid.org Professional Development Manager Carol Turner cturner@rid.org Certification Coordinator Ashley Holladay aholladay@rid.org Director of Member Services and Government Affairs Neal Tucker ntucker@rid.org Affiliate Chapter Liaison Dr. Carolyn Ball cball@rid.org Communications Strategist Adam Summers, M.Ed asummers@rid.org Webmaster Jenelle Bloom jbloom@rid.org

www.rid.org

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President’s Report

https://youtu.be/MmrvW-KXVb0

Inclusivity: Our Shared Responsibility Jonathan Webb, Ph.D CI and CT, NIC Advanced President

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n case you don’t read much further, let me get right to the point- we are all 100% responsible 100% of the time. I understand that statement reflects several concepts, including the cultural value of excellence. Excellence is mandatory when we talk about engaging in change and transformation relative to a profession and people’s participation in such.

Audism and racism, if we follow Critical Race Theory, are permanent and pervasive. The first step might be to unpack what permanent and pervasive really means.

The US Constitution was constructed by hearing (and sighted) users of English. These white, literate, formally-educated, land-owning men wrote the document through the lens of 6

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their lived experiences. The structure of the US was then modeled after how these men saw the world. And because systems replicate themselves, this meant that subsequent systems were based on the same frames and ideals held by those men.

We’ve all been raised in these systems. We’ve lived within the context of not only the country that was founded by these men, but in the states, communities, school systems, job markets, professional societies and other systems that replicate those original systems. Fundamentally, we can enter a school, a place of employment, a place designed for social gathering, a medical care facility, or any number of places and see that audism is alive and well.

And it isn’t that there is a conscious intention to perpetuate and promulgate audism. Rather, audism is an unconscious foundational element to these systems.

Likewise, racism is an unconscious foundational element to the systems we live in. Whether

it be a school, a library, an office building or any number of societal constructs, racism will serve as part of the foundational fabric of the system. Again, many of the people functioning in these systems have no desire to guard and uphold features of racism, and yet the systems continue to replicate themselves.

If we consider all this in light of the sign language interpreting profession, there are several discussions requisite to us navigating our larger world and our personal practice with a greater degree of inclusivity. Some of those discussions have to do with our personal level

sciously project those inadequacies on others, abdicating our own growth in favor of highlighting the failings of a system or an individual.

Management and resistance is an altogether different approach. This way of relating to isms requires consciousness and fortitude. It requires grit and longevity.

We understand that while the odds are stacked against us, that we can make movement and positive change. We understand that while we exist within systems that seek to erase us, that we can nevertheless thrive and survive if we remain conscious and are vigilant

racism is an unconscious foundational element of accountability and responsibility within the macro-, meso-, and micro- systems of the profession. In terms of our professional context, we could conceptualize the macro as national RID, the meso as affiliate chapters, and the micro as individual practitioners.

Based on this understanding, one of the primary discussions that must ensue is the difference between eradication and management/ resistance.

Eradicating audism and eradicating racism is fanciful at best and pernicious at worst. If we live in an illusory existence where we posit the idea of eradicating isms, the danger is manifold. What happens when we work on this for years yet see only minimal improvement?

We often give up and stop working on it all together. What happens relative to our expectations? We consistently live in disappointment. What happens to our relationships? As humans we are typically uncomfortable around our own inadequacies, so we often uncon-

in not allowing the negative aspects of the system to overtake us.

I had a personal experience with this in the Fall of 2019. I was invited to an affiliate chapter’s conference and amongst other duties, was asked to provide Power, Privilege, & Oppression training. I happily did so. While there were several incidents of note during this training, one experience very much stays with me a year later. A couple of participants, sitting in the back, wore hoodies and tinted glasses. I didn’t think much of it. Admittedly it was a mildly odd sight as these participants were white women and I was not accustomed to seeing them dressed in that manner. However, this was a gathering of interpreters and I chalked it up to dealing with the repercussions of networking around the bar late in the evening/morning hours.

It was only after the training was complete that other participants conveyed to me who they were and why they were there. Attending in cowardice, they were apparently masking www.rid.org

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their earbuds with their hoods in order to listen to the local game, all while they wore tinted glasses to mask that they were not taking notes on their tablets and attentive to the work, but rather streaming the game.

They successfully exploited the system meant to ensure growth in terms of inclusivity, so that they could sit there comfortably in their unconsciousness and bias while participating in the local game. They earned CMP PPO units based on the ability to feign presence

sion. We are asked to be responsible for how we engage in our practice, ensuring that we are not utilizing practices that further marginalize members of our deaf communities, our colleagues, and the general public. In our personal practice we utilize our hearing and/ or linguistic privilege to make space for those who would otherwise have none. We are asked to be responsible for the profession at our state/local level. We are asked to be cognizant of practices that further the inclusion of

None of us are off the hook in this work. and attention. They minimized the work their colleagues were engaging, some of the very colleagues that would attest to those interpreters’ need to unpack their power and privilege and develop strategies to mitigate against oppressive and marginalizing speech and activity.

I share this story for a singular purpose- to illustrate that we are all responsible. Just as we understand that to team interpret means that regardless of who is actively producing the target language we are all 100% responsible for 100% of the information, we also are all 100% responsible for 100% of inclusivity efforts made in our system we call The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. If “we are RID”, then … we are RID. This means we are responsible for our personal practice, how our profession operates at the state/local level, and the health of our national organization. None of us are off the hook in this work.

This is complex, no doubt. On top of the myriad responsibilities we all have we are also expected to take responsibility for our profes8

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deaf and marginalized peoples. We are asked to make sure that we make space so that a diversity of experiences and perspectives are taken into account. At the national level we are asked to ensure we promote policies and practices that make space for those who have been underrepresented in our profession- to move past exploitation of people in service to a system, into partnering with those very people to facilitate them claiming space and installing needed world frames we otherwise lack.

As I stated, this is complex. The work we have before us is not easy. Yet, the reality is that it isn’t going to get any easier. We must simply dig in. And even then, digging in isn’t going to magically resolve audism and racism; but it will help us become more conscious and proactive.

I commit to remembering more often that I am responsible 100% of the time- regardless of what systems level I am working. I commit to remembering more often that this work takes fortitude, perseverance, and grit. I commit to authentic dialogue with those who are authentically interested in change and growth at various levels. I commit to remembering that

interrogating my personal practice is not enough, but that I must continue to interrogate my participation in systems at the meso and macro levels. I also commit to remembering the joy in this work. I commit to remembering that I want to know I have positively impacted the world in a way that makes life a bit more comfortable for others.

I invite you to reaffirm your commitment as well, and stand as an example to other practitioners, other affiliate chapters, and other professional organizations that we don’t have to settle for the

We must simply dig in. systems that we operate in and that operate in us. Instead, we can determine how we show up at all levels.

While audism, racism, and a host of other isms are both pervasive and often permanent, we can’t discount our personal power as we choose to come together and work a different experience of those systems into an altered reality. This is an opportunity; and in the final analysis whatever we make of these systems is based on our work to take personal responsibility for them.

Finally, thank you. I want to take a moment to express gratitude to all of you who have modeled for me what inclusivity means in the context of our profession. I have been able to witness deep processing, dialogue, introspection, strategic partnership and alliances, and measurable outcomes. Thank you for demonstrating what meaningful growth looks like! As we continue this good work and change ourselves, we naturally change RID. Our personal transformation, then, transforms that which we are- RID.

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What did you think of this article? Send your feedback to the authors/editors by clicking here! www.rid.org/views-Nov2020-articlefeedback/ www.rid.org

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Region I Report:

https://youtu.be/QxMWE3Y5tqA

Jason Farr, Region I Representative Jason Farr, NIC Region I Representative

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he first RID virtual conference, hosted by Region I, was a success with just under 700 attendees from across the country. A total of 5.4 CEUs were made available, but the best part of the conference was having the opportunity to see colleagues - both new and familiar faces. The region conferences are completely volunteer-run, and while there are hundreds of people who were involved in the planning over the past two years, I especially want to thank our co-chairs, Chris Kelley, and Rosa Norberg. Regardless of the challenges the pandemic brought to the planning, Chris’ and Rosa’s commitment and dedication to providing opportunities for interpreters is recognized.

We hoped to join together this year to host 10

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what would have been New York City’s first RID conference. Although we were not able to host the conference in Brooklyn, the New York City (NYC) Metro RID Affiliate Chapter (AC) and Board under President Erika Murray continued the conference virtually. St Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn was chosen as this year’s “RID Cares’’ recipient due to the chapter’s leadership. And of course no conference could be complete without the hard work of the program committee, chaired

by New Jersey (NJRID) past president Audrey Rosenberg.

There are hundreds more who have been involved, but I want to also extend a special thank you to this year’s conference logo artist, JiSeon Lee, and RID headquarters staff, including Carol Turner, Ashley Holladay, and Ryan Butts, as well as the entire Region I Presidents Council, who without their vision and support we would not be here today.

Although we have just wrapped up this year’s

conference, we want to look ahead and begin planning for 2022. If you would like to be involved with the 2022 RID Region I Conference reach out to your local or state Affiliate Chapter. For a map of all Region I ACs, visit the Region I webpage at rid.org/region-i-northeast.

Massachusetts

HI, I’m Shana Gibbs. I am the new President for MassRID, RID Affiliate Chapter in Massachusetts. It is an exciting time to be going through transformation. MassRID is also undergoing a transformation.

We will be shifting away from the traditional hierarchy model of organizational operations to the Sociocractic model (ie. shared and overalapping responsibilities to prevent burden and burnout). We also have a new Secretary, Anna Nolan, and a new Treasurer, Julia Barnes.

We will be transitioning from the “Executive Board” to “Core Team.” That Core Team will then expand with meta-circles.

I look forward to this new chapter for our Affiliate Chapter.

Thank you!

New York City Metro

New York City Metro RID accomplished the following activities in their region.

Sponsored three members to attend the Region I conference: Felice Shays, Jose Gomez & Anita Lochan.

• Donated $200 to St Francis de Sales School for the Deaf for “RID Cares.”

• Donated $100 to New York City Black Deaf Advocates for a Drag Fundraiser, hosted by The ASL Extension.

• Partnered with LaGuardia Community Col-

lege’s (LAGCC) ASL English Interpretation Program (AEIP) to enable students to earn Interpreting hours by voicing at our virtual board meetings.

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) hosted ‘Power Privilege and Oppression’ with Rian Gayle on Aug 16 with a max of 30 registrations and full attendance.

The Mentorship Committee partnered with the Rochester, New York Student Interpreting Association, led by Genesee Valley Region RID President Chris Kelley, to host combined Student Professional Interpreting Network virtual events. These virtual events host both Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Interpreter Training Program students and LAGCC AEIP students.”

Rhode Island

Rhode Island (RIRID) has been busy. Co-president Rosa Norberg served as co-chair of the Region I virtual conference, held in October.

During her time as president, Haley Baccaire, along with RIRID members Lauren Bucklin and Gabriel Boynton, continued to support a mentorship program. The program, “Each One Teach One,” continues to be active and interpreters are being mentored and supported on their journey to certification.

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www.rid.org

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Region II Report:

https://youtu.be/OzxvZCPddQ4

Eliezer Sierra, Region II Representative Eliezer Sierra, MS, NIC, BEI Trilingual: Advanced Region II Representative

H

ello everyone.

As the new Region II representative, my term is September 1, 2020 through 2023. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, however, I have lived in Florida since 2004. Professionally, I am a trilingual interpreter (Spanish/English/ASL), teach at an Interpreter Education Program, and work as a corporate trainer and leader for a Video Relay Service company.

many AC leaders are doing all they can to both take care of themselves and their loved ones, while fulfilling their duties as board members.

I look forward to supporting AC leadership throughout Region II in their efforts to grow and support their members.

Below you will find the updates for some of the Affiliate Chapters in Region II:

Florida

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Affiliate Chapter (AC) leadership for their hard work and dedication to the organization and to our profession. Thank you for all you do!

Florida (FRID) recognizes the financial impact of COVID-19 on our interpreting community.

Like other Affiliate Chapters, the pandemic has halted progress on some of our goals. The FRID Board is working hard to provide different opportunities to our members. Through August 31, 2020, we offered free membership and membership renewal. As an added benefit for current members, we are also providing a free virtual workshop worth 0.3 CEUs.

We know these are unprecedented times, and

The FRID annual business meeting will be held

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virtually (as will other FRID events). To streamline the annual meeting, we have decided to hold elections for open board positions electronically this year. We are excited for our new officers to start their service on the Board January 1, 2021.

Georgia

Georgia (GaRID) is excited about our state conference collaboration with the Georgia Association of the Deaf (GAD) for 2021. More details will be provided soon!

We want our Board and members to safely meet and still progress during this pandemic, so we continue to use Zoom and various meeting technologies to support virtual meetings. We are always looking for online professional development activities for our members so please, if you state is hosting something, let us know!

Mississippi

Mississippi (MSRID) had our quarterly meeting during which we had a moment of silence for Paula Browning. an RID interpreter that recently passed away.

At the meeting, we voted to have two student representatives from each Interpreter Training program in the state join the board. The board is establishing three committees: the 2021 Conference Planning committee, the Scholarship committee, and the Mentoring committee.

Currently we are working on a winter workshop. Our next meeting will be hosted during mid-December/early January 2020.

North Carolina

North Carolina (NCRID) is working on providing virtual workshops for interpreters. We are collaborating with the North Carolina Association of the Deaf (NCAD) to amend North Carolina Interpreter licensure law to include educational interpreters. Additionally, we are also updating our Affiliate Chapter’s bylaws.

Tennessee

TEnnessee (TRID) hosted a virtual town hall on 10/10/20 to discuss RID’s potential transition from a Member Driven Organization to a Professional Certifying Organization. Our annual business meeting and state conference were held virtually through Zoom on 11/14/20.

TRID hosted two workshops for the state conference. Dr. Angela Scruggs presented a Mental Health Interpreting workshop, and Ms. Marvette St. Clair presented a Power Privilege and Oppression (PPO) workshop. We were thrilled to provide our state conference at no cost for TRID members who attended the annual business meeting! We also welcomed new (and some continuing) representatives from our five state districts at the annual business meeting.

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www.rid.org

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Region IV Report:

https://youtu.be/BSVsGKRdp5g

Deborah Martinez, Region IV Representative Deborah Martinez, MA, CI and CT, NIC Advanced, SC:L Region IV Representative

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reetings from Region IV!

This past summer has been different, to say the least, and depending on where we all are in the region, we are starting to enjoy some cooler weather . These last few months have been a time of adjusting and working with each other to ensure we are able to stay on track and maintain our connection to our members.

We have seen our Affiliate Chapters (AC) run business meetings, state conferences, and town halls online. All sessions were run with great success, and I look forward to seeing what will come of the new use of technology as well.

With that said, we are looking at starting the planning phase for a regional conference in 2022. We missed the 2020 conference, as 14

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did other regions. We are looking forward to strategically planning a great event. We will keep everyone posted on that endeavor.

Below are a few of the AC updates. We hope to have more information coming soon.

Montana

We have had some mid-term board position changes. These changes include bringing on our first Deaf board member in many years.

Turnover at MRID has mostly been related to personal needs, and filling replacement positions has been easier than anticipated.

Our annual board work retreat was successful.

We connected as a group, accomplished a lot, and developed good plans for moving forward.

At our retreat we began our strategic planning process, and voted to explore hosting the 2022 Region IV conference in Montana.

Nebraska neRID decided to postpone our conference.

The decision was made in the interest of all parties involved for safety and preference to presentation.

We hosted our annual business meeting on Friday October 23 at 6:30-8:30 pm.

Nebraska now has a task force in place to work on developing and implementing an apprentice license for interpreters entering the field in an effort to bridge the gap from grad to certification.

The Nebraska Legislature passed LB965, a combined bill which acknowledges ASL as an official language, as well as incorporates meaningful language assessment for Deaf or Hard of Hearing students in the K-12 education system.

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www.rid.org

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Region V Report:

https://youtu.be/BEbCEjLovrA

Krystal Sanders, Region V Representative Krystal Sanders, CDI Region V Representative

H

ello everyone. My name is Krystal Sanders and I am the new Region V Representative.

My term started this past September 1, 2020 and will continue until 2023. To tell you a little about me, I was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas Metro area. I moved to Seattle the summer of 2018. My professional experiences as a CDI includes community interpreting for Kansas/Missouri and here in Seattle. I currently work as a Staff Interpreter for T-Mobile. I am excited to start collaboration with Region V’s Affiliate Chapters leadership teams in their efforts to support their members. We know these are unprecedented times and many AC leaders are doing all they can to take care of themselves and their loved ones, while fulfilling their duties as board members. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize their hard work and dedication to the organization and to our profession. Thank you for all you do!

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You are representing your communities because they trust that you will support them and represent them well.

Below you will find the updates for some of the Affiliate Chapters in Region V that wanted to share what is happening in their chapter:

Alaska

Alaska has been working these past months to get

back to “normal” operations. In September, Alaska RID (AKRID) participated in a virtual Deaf Awareness Week. Along with many other local organizations, AKRID submitted an informational video that was shared across the community and Facebook. Additionally, in a continuation of a partnership with the University of Alaska -Anchorage, AKRID is working to reinstate the NIC testing center operations with COVID-19 precautions. Finally, AKRID is hosting two virtual workshops: “The Impact of Unconscious Bias on Interpreting” on November 14th and “Don’t Be Mad If I Don’t Look: Accommodating the Needs of Hard of Hearing Consumers” on December 12th.

AKRID continues to work toward open forums to ensure that professional and community needs are being met.

Arizona

Arizona has struggled with their membership en-

rollment over the last 10 years. The numbers have waned, but changes are coming in the near future as we revitalize interest in the Arizona community to be involved in their chapter, to support their colleagues and the Deaf Communities they serve.

If you are interested in being a part of revitalizing the Arizona RID (AZRID), please contact Amerigo Berdeski at aberdeski@gmail.com .

Central California

Central California has, despite the unprecedent-

ed times 2020 brought, continued to make great strides. Central California RID (CCRID) navigated an electronic election for our Vice President and Treasurer. Our newly appointed multiethnic, multilingual, multicultural Executive Board is ready to serve the Central Valley Region of California to the best of their abilities.

As 2020 unfolded and lack of access with everchanging news persisted, CCRID has been able to do the following to support our community: • Financially supported the efforts of Latent Interpreting, a startup group of Deaf Interpreters who create videos in ASL to assure linguistic access regarding COVID-19-19, California Wildfires, and other national news at large.

• Select one candidate to receive a full scholarship to participate in the 6th cohort of the Deaf Interpreter Professionals In Training program. This candidate now volunteers their time with Latent Interpreting.

• Successfully launch our first ever virtual Power, Privilege, and Oppresion workshop that allowed for seasoned/working interpreters, recent ITP graduates and current ITP students to dissect the intersectionality of race, sex, gender, and class in our profession and how we can become true allies of the Deaf community. This was done through a long-standing partnership with Fresno State University.

We are currently developing a workshop that will include a multidisciplinary multigenerational panel to highlight the unique relationships between Deaf Professionals and their Designated Interpreter.

As our leadership team continues to meet virtually we look forward to implementing technology and social media engagement to ensure that we are connected in a socially distant period.

Hawai’i

In Hawaii, the board met for an online retreat on

Zoom. It is of immense value for the opportunity for a newly elected board to meet and look at the state of the organization, identify follow-up issues from the previous board, and collaborate on a vision for the coming year. We managed to provide a lot of information in such a short time. Most importantly, we identified ways to move forward together.

Hawaii RID (HRID) President Michael Labadie-Mendes said, “As the newly elected president living on the big island of Hawai’i, where there are only 5 interpreters who are HRID members, I have had little opportunity to get to know the interpreters on other islands. I believe I am the first president to live on an island other than O’ahu, where the majority of our members live. Prior to the pandemic, meetings from O’ahu were broadcast on various forums that often failed to connect other island interpreters. And the cost to go to O’ahu for a meeting was high (roughly $280 for a round-trip flight). With our meetings taking place on Zoom, there is now greater opportunity for all island members to participate.”

The next step for HRID is to get our by-laws and policy & procedures manual (PPM) in sync with the previous boards’ format. And since pandemic restrictions are preventing us from bringing a presenter for an annual workshop, the board has approved spending some funds on online training options that will become a member benefit for the COVID-19-19 era. www.rid.org

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Idaho

Oregon

Slang” on October 3rd. Our presenters were Edna Johnston and Hanna Johnston-Shaw (mother and daughter). We have arranged to provide six virtual mini workshops throughout the year beginning in December. Workshops will be held bimonthly and are worth 0.15 CEUs. They are also free to our members. Check on our pages for more information coming soon.

tivate a sense of community, despite several challenges in the state (such as the pandemic and wildfires). Since so many of us are working remotely as a result of the COVID-19-19 pandemic, we hosted a discussion forum to bring interpreters together and share information about working from home. Technology, Zoom tips, at-home setups and more were all discussed and it was a very fruitful discussion! We also wrapped up a very successful fundraiser to pay BIPOC interpreters who have been volunteering their time interpreting for activist events in the area. We look forward to more events and our Board retreat in the coming months!

Idaho had a workshop via Zoom called “ASL Teen

Nevada

Nevada recently elected new board members: President - Kim Johnson Vice President - Ehren Dei Secretary - Carol Helou Treasurer - Michael Bodak Member-at-large (MAL) MAL North - Kalen Beck MAL South - Abigail Russo

In compliance with the bylaws, they will begin their work in July 2021. Please join us in congratulating and gratitude in taking up the work needed. Congratulations!

Northern California

Northern California RID (NorCRID) hosted their annual conference virtually on November 7 & 8.

We recently used funds raised from our COVID-19-19 fund to support Latent Interpreting in California. This service provides access to the governor’s press conferences about COVID-19-19 and wildfire activity. Anyone wanting to donate to this effort can do so though the California Association for the Deaf.

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Oregon RID (ORID)has been continuing to cul-

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

In Sacramento Valley (SaVRID), the board recently appointed Janina Witteborg as the new Deaf Parented Interpreter (DPI) MAL. The new treasurer recently filed amended tax returns for FY 20182019 and FY 2019-2020 because the previous treasurer filed using the calendar year instead of fiscal year.

We recently hosted a 3-series “White Fragility” virtual workshop, facilitated by Erica WestOyedele, Dr. Octavian Robinson, Ritchie Bryant, and Cheryl Gallon. We are working on hosting more workshops virtually.

This quartner in Southern California, we have seen the wrap-up of legislative bill AB5, with passage of a cleanup bill which includes the desired exemption for many, but not all, interpreters wishing to independently contract with agencies. Additionally, in October we began the first of a series of workshops unpacking inequities existing amongst our own professional communities. We look forward to evolutionary dialogue and actions. Finally, with membership expiring in November, we have established a means to support current members struggling with annual AC dues.

San Diego

The San Diego chapter’s (SDCRID) new board

started July 1st. Almost all positions are now filled with the appointment of our second student representative. Only the Vice President’s chair is vacant. We also have several committees filled, as well as an ad hoc committee that was recently formed in response to a member motion to post our bylaws in ASL. That is due to be completed before the end of this FY. Our board retreat was held at the end of July/ beginning of August. We hosted a town hall meeting in August to discuss the RID transition that unfortunately saw very little attendance.

Our first General Membership meeting was in September. Our treasurer got a head start on our taxes and turned in our federal tax forms early!

We found out we haven’t been filing state forms so we are in the process of setting that up.

We recently hosted a free (no CEUs) roundtable discussion on virtual interpreting that was very well attended and well received by members and non members. We are looking forward to hosting more of these types of discussions, and we are borrowing an idea from another chapter to hold informal meetings. The working title for the next informal meeting is “Tea and Conversation with the SDCRID President.” All events are scheduled to be held virtually until further notice due to state and local restrictions.

with Ritchie Bryant of “For Community By Us” to evaluate WSRID’s organizational structure and practices to help find opportunities for us to become a more inclusive organization. We have been brainstorming fundraising ideas to help support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)/Power, Privilege, and Oppression (PPO) training for our board and membership, as well as participating in various community meetings focused on interrupting racism in our profession and our organizations. Our consultant has also hosted stakeholder meetings to gather input from our community, and we look forward to sharing those findings with our members once the reports are complete.

Many of our plans for fall of 2020 have been paused due to the limitations and impacts of COVID-19, but we are finding ways to offer these training and resources online or to postpone until 2021/2022. We have two virtual webinars slated to take place before the end of 2020, and hope to continue to partner with local and statewide organizations to offer more of those types of opportunities. We know now, more than ever, we need to strengthen our relationships with our members and communities by improving communications.

We are excited to bring in new board members and committee chairs for 2021, and look forward to what the new year will bring.

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Washington

The board is working to plan for our first virtual

Annual Membership Meeting, which will take place on Oct 24th via Zoom. We will be electing a new President, VP, Secretary, and several board members whose terms will begin Jan 2021.

In the past few months we have been working www.rid.org

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

The demand has never been greater! We are hiring on-site, in-person community interpreters and want you to join our skilled and passionate team. Interpreting positions are available in the U.S. and Canada.

Apply today at www.scis.com/careers

INTERPRETING

Connecting Life www.rid.org

Copyright Š 2020 Sorenson Communications, LLC. All rights reserved.

Come be a part of our on-site interpreting team!

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MAKING GOOD INTERPRETERS GREAT Direct feedback in your target language

Great mentors and an efficient screening tool make for better Deaf community allies 22

Learn more GoReact.com/RID

VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

www.rid.org

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https://youtu.be/NCykcPA49QY

Affiliate Chapter Corner

Learning and Growing in the Pandemic Era COLUMN Dr. Carolyn Ball, CI and CT, NIC RID Affiliate Chapter Liaison Carolyn Ball and Minnesota RID President Tara Grammenos discuss current events in the state of Minnesota

C

arolyn Ball: What has been the response to the COVID-19 pandemic? Has your state been receptive to providing Deaf Interpreters at the Emergency Meetings?

Tarra Grammenos: We’ve been very lucky to have our incredibly talented Programs Director, Nic Zapko, be one of the main Deaf Interpreters to interpret for our press conferences.

She’s built up quite a following on social media!

supremacy within our own organization. Those conversations sparked the idea to establish new scholarships specifically for Interpreters of Color.

We decided to sponsor a fundraiser to fund these scholarships and hosted a webinar panel discussion with eighteen Interpreters of Color from Minnesota. We were overwhelmed with the amount of support that came in. MSRID had 300 participants during the webinar and raised $5,000 for the scholarships! I would love to see other chapters do the same, so if you have any questions on how we did it, please reach out!

CB: What else is happening in Minnesota that has impacted the Chapter?

CB: You have been a strong and very involved leader as the AC President. What drives you to serve? Why do you want to serve? What can you tell others about the benefits of serving?

TG: Over the summer our community had a very raw and honest conversation about racism in the Interpreting and Deaf communities in Minnesota. The conversation was hard, but very much needed. The dialogue led our board to take a serious look at racism and white

TG: This is my third year as president and I can tell you that my presidency today looks very different than when I started on January 1st, 2018. I love this job. I love this organization. I started volunteering with MRID almost 15 years ago, and always had my eye on being

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

2020 Minnesota RID Board of Directors Top row (left to right) Megan Bolduc, community relations director; Tarra Grammenos, president; Sydney Groven, operations director; Nic Zapko, programs director

Bottom row (left to right) Katelyn Wells, finance director; Michelle Remer, member director; Nicki Mosbeck-Barrett, communications director

president one day. I serve because I’m learning skills I wouldn’t have learned otherwise, such as how to plan conferences and workshops, how to run a business meeting, how to lead a non-profit organization, and work with a large team. These are life skills that I will forever have, thanks to MRID.

representatives, and affiliate chapter presidents is common [due to the nature of volunteering].

It is challenging to learn the role of the state chapter president when consistent resources aren’t always available. The Affiliate Chapter Handbook is a valuable resource, but having more of a “mentor program” for new presidents, I think would be great.

CB: What do you wish you had known before you became president of your chapter?

TG: How much people expect out of us. Yes, we’re volunteers, but often people treat us as though we’re running MRID like a business, and we have paid staff, and plenty of hours [to work for MSRID]. The reality is that every single person on our board and our committees have a full time job, a family, and other commitments.

CB: What do you wish that RID could have provided you to help you along the way? What could we do better?

TG: Turnover of RID board members, regional

CB: How are you handling your annual membership meeting this year amidst the Coronavirus pandemic challenges?

TG: We will be hosting our business meeting and awards ceremony on Zoom! The meeting will look very different than we are used to, but it will be a fun challenge.

CB: What is your favorite part of being the president of the MRID Chapter?

TG: My favorite part of being the president is seeing my board and committee members grow as leaders. It’s so much fun to see them www.rid.org

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take on different roles within the organization, and within the community. I love being a part of a team of people who genuinely care about each other. These people aren’t just my colleagues; we’ve all grown to be good friends.

CB: What is the hardest part of your job?

TG: The hardest part of my job is that there aren’t enough hours in the day. MRID does feel like a full time job at times. Sometimes it gets to be a lot between managing the community needs, the board and committee needs, and my own family, work, friends, and health.

CB: How do you think we can recruit more leaders to serve in RID chapters?

TG: It’s definitely tough to recruit more leaders. I think we could focus on listing all the benefits and life skills we have learned. Maybe

more folks will step up. Even things like website design, graphic design, conference planning: these are skills that people pay a lot of money to learn. Whereas our board and committee members have learned these skills for free with MRID. It’s pretty cool when you think about it that way.

CB: How do you balance, life, work, and being the AC President?

TG: I’m involved in a local survivors of suicide support group (I lost my brother to suicide three years ago), so being with people who truly “get it” really helps me disconnect from the hectic day to day issues that work and MRID bring. I also have an adorable chihuahua who forces me to go on walks around the neighborhood several times a day; although that will soon end when the Minnesota winter shows up!

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

From the Desks at HQ

Digital Membership Cards Did you know RID members have access to a digital copy of their Member ID card?

Members are able to download a digital copy directly from their member portal in just a few short steps!

RID Member Deals!

Have you checked out the exclusive RID member benefit on your profile?

Simply login and click on the teal "member deals" tile on the right side of the page!

Step 1: Login to your member portal Step 2: Click the green button that says:

“Printable Member Card�

The card will immediately download to your computer and/or device and you will now have access to a digital copy of your card.

For an easy-to-navigate diagram, visit: https://rid.org/membership/member-portal-navigation/ If you have any further questions, please be sure to reach out to our Member Services department via email (members@rid.org) for assistance.

Membership Renewal, Extension & Donation Reminders Membership renewal is now available. If you are able, please opt to renew online through your membership portal.

Please remember: You may renew your membership for FY 2021 until December 31, 2020 without penalty.

FINAL CALL: Final call for COVID Relief Donations

www.rid.org

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Interpreting @ VIEWS Archives

1981: Research Needs in Interpreting Identified COLUMN

by VIEWS Editorial Staff

V

IEWS, RID’s digital publication, is dedicated to the interpreting profession, and is about inspiring, or even instigating, thoughtful discussions among practitioners.

This publication represents a rich history of knowledge-sharing in an extremely diverse profession. We value the experiences and expertise of interpreters from every cultural, linguistic, and educational background.

VIEWS seeks to provide information to researchers and stakeholders about these specialty fields and groups in the interpreting profession. We aim to explore the interpreter’s role within this demanding social and political environment by promoting content with complex layers of experience and meaning.

Over the years, VIEWS has published contributions from the field, including research- and 28

VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

peer-based articles and columns, interpreting skill-building and continuing education opportunities, and local, national, and international interpreting news.

VIEWS has also been an avenue to report to membership on matters such as reports on the Certification Program, RID committee and Member Sections news, new publications available from RID Press, and news and highlights from RID Headquarters.

The VIEWS archives begin in 1965 with a “Happy Birthday to Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf” newsletter, listing accomplishments in the year since the founding of the Registry.

Today, RID is continuing to explore transformation and growth within the interpreting profession. VIEWS has likewise been exploring our historical archives to illuminate RID’s leadership and participation in the service of our membership and our communities. We would like to share this report from February 1981.

The original report was written by VIEWS’ Home Office, and is reproduced in its entirety here.

“Interpreter Research: Targets for the Eighties” Conference Report

I

dentification of research priorities in the field of interpreting was the focus of a conference held in Tucson, Arizona during October. Sixty-five participants from across the U.S. outlined research priorities during the four-day conference entitled, “Interpreter Research: Targets for the Eighties.” Participants in the conference included interpreters, interpreter trainers, researchers for many disciplines, representatives of government including Congressional staff members and staff of the Department of Education, consumers of interpreting service and other professionals in the field of deafness. The conference was conducted ty the National Academy of Gallaudet College through a contract with the Office for Handicapped Individuals.

Edward E. Corbett, Jr., Director of the National Academy of Gallaudet College and Vice President of RID opened the conference by explaining the task of the conference is to translate the results of the discussions and deliberations to program ideas and priority listings for interpreting research. These items

will be submitted to the National Institute for Handicapped Research, or to other possible funding sources.

Patricia Forsythe, Staff Director of the Senate Subcommittee for the Handicapped, was optimistic about the future of interpreter training legislation. She provided a brief history of interpreter legislation and an explanation of the new Department of Education.

Dr. Forsyth said that only one completely new program had been funded in the 1980 rehabilitation budget, and that this sole exception was for Interpreter Training Program. Nine hundred thousand dollars was appropriated for 10 awards, and the same amount is budgeted for FY 1981. She stated that the Assistant Secretary for Special Education, Edwin Martin, has indicated those funds will be monitored through his office to ensure that interpreter training will be broad-based rather than focused on one specific area like education or rehabilitation.

Dr. Forsythe discussed the new alli-

October 1980 Tucson, Arizona www.rid.org

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ances that the Department of Education has been able to forge between education and rehabilitation. These hopefully, will bring about new opportunities for handicapped people in education, rehabilitation, and employment areas. Of particular importance will be the increased service potential for handicapped individuals in the young adult age bracket.

Wallace Babinton, Director of the new Information Office of the National Institute for Handicapped Research, affirmed the institute’s commitment to research on interpreting and deafness. He cautioned the conference to focus on a specific area of interpreting research needs, rather than on broader issues in deafness because dealing in broad issues would not be productive.

sciences, with particular emphasis on interpreting research.

He cited three important differences: (1) Natural sciences have more precise measuring systems than behavioral sciences.

(2) Natural sciences have a theoretical base which provides a framework for studying. Interpreting research does not have such a base.

(3) The average person understands the importance of research in natural sciences, but has little or no appreciation for research in interpreting.

Dr. Lowell bluntly stated these problems must be overcome if research in interpreting is to be a viable aid to those of us in deafness. He em-

we must be willing to compromise in order to perpetuate movement towards our goals James Stearns, Assistant Deputy of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS), in the Department of Education, made an appeal for more direct communication from the field of deafness into his office. On behalf of Ed Martin, Assistant Secretary (OSERS), Dr. Stearns praised the participants for their leadership in the deafness field and their collective contributions to the progress that has been made. Dr. Stearns also met with the Directors of the 10 new Interpreter Training Programs while at the conference.

Edgar Lowell, Director of the John Tracy Clinic, and known as the “father” of the RID, addressed some of the problems confronting research in the field of interpreting. He contrasted research in the natural science with research in the behavioral 30

VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

phasized public recognition of the importance of research in deafness and interpreting as a major task that requires “thinkers” and “doers.” He noted that sometimes even people in the deafness field do not appreciate the value of research. Dr Lowell encouraged conference participants to become involved in the political process as advocates. He cautioned that we must be willing to compromise in order to perpetuate movement towards our goals.

The conference participants were divided into three rotation groups of: (1) research on utilization, (2) research on language processing, (3) research on interpreting training.

Dr. Don Moores, Dr. Norm Tully and Dr. Nancy Frishburg served as group leaders for these three sub-groups.

Conference participants attended each

of the three sub groups and raised questions related to research needs in each area.

After three days of open discussions on a wide range of topics, the conference participants were asked to identify priority items and outline possible research proposals in these priority areas.

Several topics discussed during the three days included entrance requirements to training programs, definition of a “good” interpreter, attitudes, communication models, consumer satisfaction, employability and job market, validity and reliability of certification standards, training materials and curriculum, standardization or training, processing of auditory and visual materials in addition to several other topics.

On the final day of the conference the participants were required to identify priority issues and rank these issues. The five areas receiving ranking were: (1) Profile of the competent interpreter relevant to characteristic of sign language and oral interpreters

(5) Curriculum and materials in interpreter training programs to identify the core curriculum required by all interpreter training programs including instructional content and measurement of its effectiveness.

These five priority areas will be transmitted to the Office for Handicapped Individuals, the National Institute for Handicapped Research, other government agencies and other possible sources of funding.

One other recommendation by the conference is the establishment of a center for interpreter research.

Conference participates decided to make this recommendation based on the tremendous need in the field. Currently there is authorization under P.L.. 95-602 for the establishment of twelve interpreter training centers.

Ten of the centers have been funded.

The conference recommended that one of the remaining two authorized centers be designated as a center for interpreting research. Support for this recommendation was given by both staff members of the Congressional representatives and the Department of Education.

(3) Exit and entrance criteria for interpreter trainees to determine what is needed to produce the good interpreter with the least amount of time and money consumed and use of personnel.

Vic Galloway summarized the meeting for participants by identifying the need for cooperative efforts of all involved. He stressed that “interpreting services are now recognized as a legitimate service.” Although we recognize the need for research in the field “we have to be practical… we must address quality issues at the same time and must approach the solution of the issues one at a time or two or three at a time.”

(4) Labor market analysis determining the employability of interpreters in various settings and projection of needs.

Dr. Galloway stressed that the five priorities will lead to a new body of knowledge for researchers and training of interpreters.

(2) Study of the RID evaluation system for the purpose of development of new evaluation materials and training of evaluators.

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Image by: Amanda Adams @closecallstudio

Self Care:

https://youtu.be/nkENku6zpXw

We Need Each Other COLUMN

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”

Breana Cross-Caldwell, BS, CI and CT Portland, Oregon Breana Cross-Caldwell holds her CI and CT from RID, B.S. in Interpretation from Western Oregon University and is a Certified Life Coach. She has led thousands of interpreters in preventing burnout and finding the passion again in their lives through developing habits of self-care. You can find her on Instagram @brighterfocus.

A

s part of my Burnout Proof Bootcamp, I host a monthly support call. Interpreters take this 15-hour self-paced course to improve their self-care, and the live monthly call is offered as a way to connect with each other and to get support in real-time.

Over the years I’ve had hundreds of interpreters through the course, but the support calls are usually small and intimate. You don’t have to show up live on the call to finish the course and get your CEUs - so many don’t. For those who do, the conversations and connections that happen are rich, deep, and transformative.

Yet, showing up to receive support can be one of the hardest things we do.

“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” -Brené Brown (Brown, 2012)

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Think back for yourself: When have you taken the risk of asking for help or receiving support, and in what ways did its effects ripple through your life?

“I’m fine.”

Despite the benefits, interpreters often have a strained relationship with support. I include myself in that statement. Many of us are much more comfortable extending a hand or listening ear or eyes to others, but the moment we need help or could use support we shut it down quickly.

There is a dichotomy here. On one hand we believe, “If others need me, I should be there

when uncovering internal conflict, “The story I’m telling myself is…” (Brown, 2018).

So what justification is at the root of our rejection of support? What is the story we’re telling ourselves?

The stories I hear from interpreters and coaching clients who struggle with asking for help or receiving support sound like: “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

“My needs are a burden on others.”

“My needs don’t matter to others.”

“My needs aren’t as important as others.”

“I can’t count on others to help or support me.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of world I want to live in and take part in creating. for them,” and at the same time, “If I have a need, I better suck it up and figure it out.” In this scenario, we believe one person is worthy of support, while the other is not.

What are the ramifications of holding these conflicting beliefs?

If one of our core values as interpreters is equality, are we upholding equality in our acts of compassion by extending it as readily to ourselves as we do to others? (Breck, 2020).

Zoom In: Exploring the foundation Bringing awareness to the foundations of a thought can help us make more intentional choices about what we believe. Brené Brown teaches a powerful prompt that we can use

“I don’t want others to see me as needy.”

When we zoom in on this overarching belief that, “I shouldn’t seek support for my needs,” we often find a whole web of beliefs, stories, and downright lies that we’ve been holding as evidence for our belief. These justifications quickly crumble in the light of our awareness (Boone, 2018).

Zoom Out: Seeing the web of life Just as we zoomed in on this belief to examine its roots, let’s zoom out. In light of the global pandemics of COVID and systemic racism, I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of world I want to live in and take part in creating.

I imagine living in a society that values all life, www.rid.org

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that values the planet and systems that sustain rather than separate us. A place where our interconnectedness and interdependence are not only acknowledged - that’s the first truth we’re waking up to now - but cherished and valued.

We’re doing jobs that don’t ignite our passion where we feel resentful, dissatisfied, and stuck.

We’re frustrated with our children or worried about our inadequacies as parents.

We’ve lost touch with our creativity and joy.

What is possible in our world: When we allow the intricate web of life to operate to its fullest?

When we hold our connections with and impact on each other as sacred?

When we recognize that we need each other’s varied perspectives, wisdom, and experiences?

When we are willing, able and eager to give

We need each other One of the most painful parts of this picture, is that it’s easy to believe we’re the only one who feels this way. We believe we’re alone, but we’re not. Thousands of interpreters are feeling this way too - and the moment one is willing to reach out and talk about it, there’s

it’s easy to believe we’re the only one who feels this way AND receive support, because we know that we’re each an integral part of this web?

When we are deeply aware of what we lose when we don’t ask for help?

Making our needs known can be really tough.

It requires vulnerability, bravery, and courage (Brown, 2013). But what are we trading when we don’t? What are the implications?

In my coaching practice and self-care workshops with interpreters, I bear witness to the ramifications. Because we are not prioritizing our needs, not taking care of ourselves, not seeking help and receiving support: Our most intimate relationships are failing.

Our bodies are revolting through illness and injury.

We’re exhausted - not sleeping well at night, low on energy all day.

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the possibility for a butterfly effect to unfold.

When interpreters show up for an hour on our support call, they listen to each other’s challenges and they say, “Me too.” “I’ve felt that way too.” “You’re not alone.” The web of connection and interdependence is suddenly illuminated, and we have the strength and courage to face another day and to try again.

These connections run deep and strong, but require us to show up as our whole, authentic, sometimes messy selves. Acknowledging our needs and receiving the support that’s available to us is the first step. Together we can create a world where each life is valued, and where our interdependence and inherent interconnectedness is celebrated and cared for.

“Because true belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to

the world, our sense of belonging can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”

-Brené Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead Reflection What people, spaces, activities, or organizations are a part of your support system?

When, in the last month, have you passed up an opportunity to receive support that was offered to you?

What was the story you were telling yourself?

When you have received support in the past and accepted it, what effect did it have on your life or your situation? In the coming month, what’s one way that you will ask for or let yourself receive support?

Resources Boone, Matt. (2018, March). Gently Challenging Your Thinking Traps. Lyra Health Blog. https://www.lyrahealth.com/blog/gently-challenging-your-thinking-traps/ Breck, Colin. (2020). Understanding Our Core Values: An Exercise for Individuals and Teams.

Colin Breck blog. https://blog.colinbreck.com/understanding-our-core-values-an-exercise-for-individuals-and-teams/ Brown, Brené. (2012). Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. New York: Avery.

Brown, Brené. (2013). The Power of Vulnerability - Brené Brown. TED Talk. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=JjNtWRBdXws Brown, Brené. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

London, England: Vermilion.

Ktejik, Mish. (2016). Interpretation of Brené Brown The Power of Vulnerability. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKNMBiMhBlI

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https://youtu.be/EaYmuRix3OE

Reflections from an Old Hand

The Story Goes On COLUMN

“If you’re deaf, why do you have ears?”

“I

f you’re deaf, why do you have ears?”

Phil Giambaresi Former CSD, LCSW (Retired) California I was born in 1950 to parents who have been Deaf since their birth. I have a younger brother who is also a hearing child. The influence from my mother's deaf family and my interest in being the family interpreter led to a career of being a certified interpreter. I received a BA in Psychology. At the age of 34, I earned my Master's in Social Work, specializing in mental health of the Deaf.

After living in NYC for over 30 years, I moved to California and am now retired.

That was my young little brother’s question to our mom long ago. She was washing dishes while he tugged at her dress, looked up to her and asked his innocent question. Mom smiled and said, “Well, God made me like this, and if I didn’t have ears people would stare at me.”

Her answer was made as simply as she could say it, and my brother nodded and walked away. He came back to her a few minutes later and said, “So your ears are broken? That’s OK. You can always use your ears for earrings.”

The theme of this Fall 2020 issue of VIEWS is “Education.” Growing up with deaf parents was certainly an education.

It was the 1950’s and the times were very different. As two little hearing boys with deaf parents, there was a feeling that our parents

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were different from other parents.

I was the oldest child and I took it very seriously that I had to be the ears for my mom and dad. My sign language as a child was awkward.

And I exaggerated my mouth, making movements without any sounds. I realized that my parents were unable to hear me so why would I bother to use my voice? (It wasn’t until I was an adult that I learned to voice and sign, using PSE.) Mom was able to use her speech to talk with her sons and just do gestures with us, as I have shared in previous columns. We didn’t really know about terms like “Pidgin Signed English” (PSE) and I was quite young, and cannot even

“voice” for him with any hearing people he had encountered when he didn’t want to write.

Mom came from a deaf Polish/German family.

Her three sisters, parents and extended family were deaf. Their dad (my grandpa) was more “hard of hearing”. He used hearing aids and functioned in the “hearing world,” and was accepted as a hearing person. Grandpa did not like his daughters to use sign language because he wanted them to speak. I am sure that he often couldn’t understand or follow the sign language that his daughters used so rapidly.

They went to Wisconsin State School for the Deaf.

Mom was the eldest daughter, and worshiped her father in many ways. Her dad would ges-

I was the oldest child and I took it very seriously that I had to be the ears for my mom and dad. remember the use of the term “ASL.” People were just deaf, and each of them was unique in their communication styles. Some used their voices, some made sounds, and there were some who didn’t use their voices at all. My folks’ closest friends were deaf, and I’d be fascinated by watching them all sign away!

Dad was more of an ASL-user from a hearing Italian family that didn’t sign, and he made verbal noises that were not always intelligible.

Mom’s speech was generally understood by most hearing people, when they were relaxed and open-minded. Some hearing people just didn’t get it and they would freeze when they heard her voice. So Mom knew she had to rely on her son to interpret for her. Dad was often difficult to understand. He was not adept at using English words comfortably; he had to write his “broken English” on notes. He often carried a pad of paper and was always with a pen. I’d

ture and speak and sing to her when she was a child. She could feel the vibrations of his speech on his chest when she touched him.

Later, she practiced trying to make her voice “come out” and somehow managed to make sounds. She was so excited to feel her own voice making those vibrations in her own chest. When she was little, she finally “got it” and ran to her dad to tell him so. “I can talk!” she said. Her sisters eventually did the same, and although they varied in their abilities to speak, they knew they had to use their voices around their father, who would get upset if they didn’t talk.

Mom’s mother, my grandma, was totally deaf and raised on a farm with little formal schooling. I remember her as a warm personality with a booming low voice, and although she could not hear herself, she was frequently vocal.

She was also very funny and made my brother www.rid.org

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and me laugh a lot. And she was a great cook.

Grandpa was more serious, and a hard worker.

He painted houses in Milwaukee to support his family. When he got older and lost most of his hearing, he couldn’t rely on hearing aids any more and most of his hearing friends would not have the patience to keep repeating or taking the trouble to write down what they said.

He became more isolated, and later confessed to his daughters, saying, “Papa was wrong. You are smart to use signs and your speech.”

Growing up with deaf relatives and friends and deaf gatherings was a wonderful opportunity.

My “reflections” with my family history are my opportunity to share more stories in my “deaf education”. I would volunteer myself to interpret for several deaf people in my life.

Interpreting for them made me feel like I was doing something useful, and pleasing my folks.

I was quite bonded to my parents, whereas my little brother was more into the hearing world

(though he retained the same sensitivity and understanding of deafness). I remember that I would be observing the deaf culture and language, and also that I would have a separate life in hearing school where many of my peers did not know I came from a deaf family.

Eventually, my abilities in sign language and deaf culture led me to working in college settings as an interpreter. It was wonderful to meet other interpreters who happened to have deaf parents. We shared an understanding of our similarities and differences!

The story goes on. And I appreciate being able to share it with you, the reader. Comments?

Contact me at pgiambaresi@aol.com.

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Journal of Interpretation Volume 28 Hosted by University of North Florida (UNF) https://Digitalcommons.unf.edu/joi/vol28/iss1/

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

COMPLETE YOUR BACHELOR’S DEGREE ONLINE IN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING! NEED TO MEET THE NIC EXAM REQUIREMENTS?

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Job Announcements

Visit rid.org/listings to search open interpreting and Deaf community job listings in your area!

Advertising

Contact advertising@rid.org to post your listings with us today!

FY 2019 Certification Reinstatements and Revocations Below please find a link to a page on our website that lists individuals whose certifications have been revoked due to non-compliance with the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP).

The Certification Maintenance Program requirements are as follows: 1. Maintain current RID membership by paying annual RID Certified Member dues 2. Meet the CMP CEU requirements • 8.0 Total CEUs with at least 6.0 in PS CEUs (up to 2.0 GS CEUs may be applied toward the requirement) • SC:L’s only: 2.0 of the 6.0 PS CEUs must be in legal interpreting topics • SC:PA’s only: 2.0 of the 6.0 PS CEUs must be in performing arts topics 3. Follow the RID Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) If an individual appears on the list, it means that their consumers may no longer be protected by the Ethical Practices System, should an issue arise. This list is available on the RID website and can be accessed by the community at large. The published list is a “live” list, meaning that it will be updated as needed if a certification is reinstated or revoked.

• To view the revocation list, please visit the link HERE Should you lose certification due to failure to comply with CEU requirements or failure to pay membership dues, you may submit a reinstatement request.

• The reinstatement form and policies are outlined HERE

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

National Interpreter Certification Certification awarded between 08/06/2020 - 11/15/2020 REGION I - NORTHEAST • • • • • • •

Omar Bonnet Julie Donnelly Jenna Mary Kish Jacek Brandon C. Kazen-Maddox Rachel Marie Green Jordan Staley Mabel Najarro

REGION IV - CENTRAL • • • • • • • •

Corrine Bree Pollock Elijah Ayers Elizabeth Werren Mona Adele Jamell Christine Patricia Truitt Erica Lynn Rust Holli Beth Norling Esther Lemley

REGION III - MIDWEST REGION II - SOUTHEAST • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

April Smith Matthew Alexander Rosario Matthew Pouncey Michael Christopher Sinclair William Thomas Lovik Alyssa Perez Joshua McDonald Sonya Perez Veronica Ashley Forte Ashley Pigliavento Jacob Aaron Mendoza Jason D. Fischer Jeffery Bowden Sara D. Ryan Shameka Garrick Brandi Leigh Marsh Danette Steelman-Bridges Jacob Larkin Jeffrey Reid Barnes Jessica Marie Hollifield Kathryn Rene Oviatt Kimberly A. Ruiz Rachel Lovette Lindsay Anne Young Elizabeth Owolabi Heather C. Goodson Katherine H. Malady Shelly Thiss

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Fotini Wickman Racheal Griffin Mary Chrisman Spenser Lynne Johnson Justin A. Oberfrank Alyxandra Nicole McMahon Jason Paul Nygren Hawkins Kymberlee Cook Melissa Katie Christensen Stephanie Anne Stroik Bethany Marie DeFelice Danette Theriault Hannah Marie Kaster Rachel Lynn Strine Sara Elizabeth Meadows Ashley Stokely Catherine G. Ledden Elizabeth Blake Kelsey Tolar

REGION V - PACIFIC • • • • • • • • • •

Apollonia Marie Moriarty Beth Leeanne Anderton Laura B. Dunham Nora Joy Rodriguez Hannah Ruth Westfall Sarah Therese Armstrong Corinne Nicole Johnston Chad Boyd Godfrey Jack A. Gullick Carly Lonergan

RID Conference Motion C89.15

“Results of the Ethical Practices System shall be published in the VIEWS including the nature of the grievance and action taken by RID. The names of individuals filing the grievance shall remain confidential. Vindicated individuals will be given the opportunity to have their names published, even in cases of a less serious nature.”

No EPS violations reported for this issue of VIEWS www.rid.org

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VIEWS

Vision VIEWS, RID’s digital publication, is dedicated to the interpreting profession. As a part of RID’s strategic goals, we focus on providing interpreters with the educational tools they need to excel at their profession. VIEWS is about inspiring, or even instigating, thoughtful discussions among practitioners. With the establishment of the VIEWS Board of Editors, the featured content in this publication is peer-reviewed and standardized according to our bilingual review process.

VIEWS is on the leading edge of bilingual publications for English and ASL. In this way, VIEWS helps to bridge the gap between interpreters and clients and facilitate equality of language. This publication represents a rich history of knowledge-sharing in an extremely diverse profession. As an organization, we value the experiences and expertise of interpreters from every cultural, linguistic, and educational background. VIEWS seeks to provide information to researchers and stakeholders about these specialty fields and groups in the interpreting profession. We aim to explore the interpreter’s role within this demanding social and political environment by promoting content with complex layers of experience and meaning.

While we publish updates on our website and social media platforms, unique information from the following areas can only be found in VIEWS: • Both research- and peer-based articles/columns • Interpreting skill-building and continuing education opportunities • Local, national, and international interpreting news • Reports on the Certification Program • RID committee and Member Sections news • New publications available from RID Press • News and highlights from RID Headquarters

Submissions VIEWS publishes articles on matters of interest and concern to the membership. Submissions that are essentially interpersonal exchanges, editorials or statements of opinion are not appropriate as articles and may remain unpublished, run as a letter to the editor or as a position paper. Submissions that are simply the description of programs and services in the community with no discussion may also be redirected to a more archival platform on the website. Articles should be 1,800 words or fewer. Unsigned articles will not be published. Please contact the editor of VIEWS if you 42

VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4

require more space. RID reserves the right to limit the quantity and frequency of articles published in VIEWS written by a single author(s). Receipt by RID of a submission does not guarantee its publication. RID reserves the right to edit, excerpt or refuse to publish any submission. Publication of an advertisement does not constitute RID’s endorsement or approval of the advertiser, nor does RID guarantee the accuracy of information given in an advertisement.

Advertising specifications can be found at www.rid. org, or by contacting the editor. All editorial, advertising, submission and permission inquiries should be directed to (703) 838-0030, (703) 838-0454 fax, or publications@rid.org.

Copyright VIEWS is published quarterly by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the opinion of RID. The author(s), not RID, is responsible for the content of submissions published in VIEWS. Statement of Ownership VIEWS (ISSN 0277-1088) is published quarterly by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. Periodical postage paid in Stone Mountain, GA and other mailing offices by The Sauers Group, Inc. Materials may not be reproduced or reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact views@rid.org for permission inquiries and requests.

VIEWS electronic subscription is a membership benefit and is covered in the cost of RID membership dues.

Single issues of print VIEWS are available to members or nonmembers for $9.00 Board of Editors Michael B. Ballard, ABD Kelly Brakenhoff, NIC Royce Carpenter, MA, NIC Master Jami Macdonald, Associate Member Amy Parsons, Associate Member Adam Summers, M. Ed.

© 2020 Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. All rights reserved.

RID

MISSION The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf strives to advocate for best practices in interpreting, professional development for practitioners and for the highest standards in the provision of interpreting services for diverse users of languages that are signed or spoken.

VISION By honoring its past and innovating for the future, RID envisions a world where: Its members recognize and support the linguistic rights of all Deaf people as human rights, equal to those of users of spoken languages; Deaf people and their values are vital to and visible in every aspect of RID; Interpreted interaction between individuals who use signed and spoken languages are as viable as direct communication; The interpreting profession is formally recognized and is advanced by rigorous professional development, standards of conduct, and credentials.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) understands the necessity of multicultural awareness and sensitivity.

Therefore, as an organization, we are committed to diversity both within the organization and within the profession of sign language interpreting.

Our commitment to diversity reflects and stems from our

understanding of present and future needs of both our organization and the profession.

We recognize that in order to provide the best service as the national certifying body among signed and spoken language interpreters, we must draw from the widest variety of society with regards to diversity in order to provide support, equality of treatment, and respect among interpreters within the RID organization.

Therefore, RID defines diversity as differences which are appreciated, sought, and shaped in the form of the following categories: gender identity or expression, racial identity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, deaf or hard of hearing status, disability status, age, geographic locale (rural vs. urban), sign language interpreting experience, certification status and level, and language bases (e.g. those who are native to or have acquired ASL and English, those who utilize a signed system, among those using spoken or signed languages) within both the profession of sign language interpreting and the RID organization.

To that end, we strive for diversity in every area of RID and its Headquarters. We know that the differences that exist among people represent a 21st century population and provide for innumerable resources within the sign language interpreting field.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. 333 Commerce Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 838-0030 V • (571)-257-3957 VP • (703) 838-0454 Fax • www.rid.org

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation click images to enlarge

www.rid.org

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COMING SOON FROM RID PRESS!

RID Press is proud to announce a new book on team interpreting by Jack Hoza to be released in early 2021!

This new volume • replaces the previous volume: Team Interpreting as Collaboration and Interdependence • includes all of the chapters from that volume, which have been greatly updated and expanded • presents information that goes well beyond the topics of the first volume and includes six new chapters, with two-thirds of this new volume being made up of new material • is updated with new research, including the author’s new interview study with Deaf interpreter-hearing interpreter teams and teams of two hearing interpreters.

The presented research • provides valuable information on the following types of teams: Deaf interpreter-hearing interpreter teams; teams of hearing interpreters; teams of Deaf interpreters; and experienced interpreter-novice interpreter teams • presents additional insight into how these teams can do their best work and “team interpret in the zone” • proposes a new team interpreting framework, which represents a return to a community approach to interpreting, which has been in existence within the Deaf community long before the advent of professional interpreters • provides a new vision for team interpreting based on current research, best practices of the field, and the contributions of Deaf community members and scholars.

Click here for a video in ASL by the author: https://youtu.be/VoDGhiP7VR4

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VIEWS Issue 37 • Volume 4