Spring 2009 Newsletter
- ADAAA
- Captioning Webcasts
- Low Functioning Deaf
- Hands and Voices
- FAQs from PEPNet.org
- PEPNet.org adds video Testimonials
- National Deaf-Blind Consortium
- PEPNet College Guide online
- Test Equity for Students who are Deaf/HH
- Publishing Credits and Contact Information
- PDF Version of Spring 2009 Newsletter
- Past Newsletter Issues
- Suggest a topic for future issues
FAQs from PEPNet's website
In 2008, PEPNet added a "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)" section to its website, where conversation streams and links to additional resources can be viewed. In each issue of Perspectives, we will highlight a FAQ by printing the question and answer. For a complete list of FAQs, visit www.pepnet.org and click on "Resources."
When do I need to hire a team of interpreters?
There are many factors that influence how long one interpreter can interpret without experiencing a degree of mental and physical fatigue that increases the rate of interpreter errors and the risk of repetitive stress injuries.
According to the Standard Practice Paper published by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) titled Team Interpreting:
"The decision to use a team rather than an individual is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
- length and/or complexity of the assignment,
- unique needs of the persons being served,
- physical and emotional dynamics of the setting,
- avoidance of repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) for interpreters."
Whether to provide a team or not should be considered on a case-by-case basis looking at all of the factors. It is recommended that any class that is longer than one hour be considered for a team although there are some class situations that are longer than one hour that may be handled by one interpreter. A three-hour computer lab class that consists of brief lectures using the remainder of the time on independent computer work may only require one interpreter, whereas a one-hour class, such as Public Speaking, where students routinely give presentations one after another would require two interpreters. This is cost effective, especially when you consider the impact on the retention of skilled interpreters, the quality of the interpreting services, the possibility of repetitive stress injuries, and/or Worker's Compensation claims.
Links to Rochester Institute of Technology's Interpreting for Postsecondary Deaf Students, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Standard Practice Paper Team Interpreting and PEPNet Tipsheets Interpreting, Interpreting and Biomechanics and Hiring a Qualified Interpreter can be found at: