Deaf/ Blind Interpreting

Oceanblue7 · 06-06-2009, 11:42 PM

I have no experience in deaf/blind interpreting, I am curious, if it takes two interpreters for each assignment due to the physical nature? What is your time duration of interpreting?

Maybe, some of our deaf/blind members can describe their interpreter experiences.

Thanks

Etoile · 06-07-2009, 12:18 AM

It's funny, I observe so many CDI's and SSP's at Gallaudet with the deafblind people on campus, but I have no idea how that job works. I'll be looking forward to hearing the responses here too!

Oceanblue7 · 06-07-2009, 12:24 AM

I have observed the job as well, wonder too. Most of the interpreters have seen are CDI or deaf person (non certified)doing the interpreting at certain events. I do know hearing people interpret as for deaf/blind . I am curious on the replies too.

dreama · 06-07-2009, 01:09 AM

Usually there is only one interpreter with a deafblind person unless the deafblind person needs a note taker in which case their are two.
Interpreters use a veriety of communication methods including the deafblind manual and hands on sign language.

Oceanblue7 · 06-07-2009, 01:23 AM

What is deafblind manual? Never heard of it.

Etoile · 06-07-2009, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oceanblue7

What is deafblind manual? Never heard of it.

I know that one - the manual alphabet.

And hands-on is usually called tactile ASL in interpreting workshops and stuff.

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etoile

I know that one - the manual alphabet.

And hands-on is usually called tactile ASL in interpreting workshops and stuff.

It's also called tactile sign or hand over hand signing.

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oceanblue7

I have no experience in deaf/blind interpreting, I am curious, if it takes two interpreters for each assignment due to the physical nature? What is your time duration of interpreting?

Maybe, some of our deaf/blind members can describe their interpreter experiences.

Thanks

If a deafblind person needs a tactile interpreter for a long period of time, 2 terps are used. The first terp works for a certain number of minutes before the second terp takes over. (this is called "relief interpreting")

As far as a deafblind person who needs interpreting as well as notetaking, the only time someone can do both is if they are a captionist who also knows sign. My captionist is one of them. She writes notes for me during college lectures, but also signs to me if there is something I cannot hear or do not understand.

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 04:11 AM

Tactile interpreters can also communicate with the deafblind by using a TeleBraille (Braille TTY), Teletouch (a device which has a QWERTY keyboard and a single Braille cell display), Screen Braille Communicator/SBC (similar to the Teletouch), Braille/raised print alphabet card or fingerbraille.

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 04:15 AM

I had a Deaf interpreter when I attended an AADB convention in 1996. The only difficulty I had was that he communicated to me in ASL when I required PSE. I was just starting to learn ASL at the time which is why I needed PSE. I kept signing "English please," but he continued signing in ASL. My original tactile terp was in a rush and forgot to let him know that I used PSE instead of ASL and apologized repeatedly once I told her what happened.

ASLGAL · 06-07-2009, 07:45 AM

In my area it depends upon the length of the time needed if there is a team assigned or just one interpreter.

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 08:18 AM

The availability of tactile terps also depends on your location. We only have 3 tactile terps where I live.

Mrs Bucket · 06-07-2009, 08:55 AM

HearAgain explained important things why I am going to college.

- the ratio of intervenors per client. [2 per client]

Each client is supposed to have 2 intervenors regardless of the appointment. The intervenors are not supposed to go under undue physical stress because tactiling is physically hard on the body after a long day. The client has their duty to make sure he/she does not put too much weight on the intervenor's hands.

It is hard sometimes because there are much older/elderly citizens like male elderly citizens and they will actually "rest" their hands on the intervenors' hands causing a lot of shoulders' stiffness. The intervenors will have to pull the client's thumb to make sure his/her hands does not fall off the intervenor's hands as well while signing.

I speak from personal experience while tactiling and intervening. I've had painful neck/shoulder and back movements while tactiling with older people that have not been taught the proper movements of tactiling.

There are workshops for the intervenors BUT there should be workshops for the clients too as well. Some clients should be made aware that they are not doing their body stance correctly thus causing undue body stress on their intervenors.

I do inform other DBs that they need to adjust their body stress because they cause me pain when tactiling. I won't flower my words because our world is dark and silent so we need to know the truth when others with vision and hearing don't tell us this.

I usually communicate my preference of ASL beforehand with intervenors. I also personally "screen" intervenors as I admit to being anal about intervenors because I prefer intervenors that know about Deaf Culture, ASL Lingustics/syntaxes because I don't want to miss out on conversations when I use a hearing intervenor that signs in ESL/PSE.

"Train gone by sorry" signed by PSE intervenor is totally different signed by an ASL intervenor. Get this gist? (winks!)

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 09:54 AM

Mrs Bucket,

Excellent point about how physically demanding tactile sign is. After I started learning tactile sign, I experienced a great deal of upper arm and shoulder pain as a result. Even now when I have to use tactile sign (mainly to communicate with DB friends or I am unable to hear in background noise) I still have alot of pain. I also have severe CTS which affects my hands, so basically my entire body aches.

ASLGAL · 06-07-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Maybe, some of our deaf/blind members can describe their interpreter experiences.

I know many of the Deafblind have the same feelings as the Deaf in my area. There are several issues. Some that often come into play are gender preference, age range preference, signing style and form preference, and ,of course, comfort and trust.

Oceanblue7 · 06-07-2009, 01:20 PM

I totally appreciate sharing your experiences and explaining the deaf/ blind interpreting process. I understand, the physical fatigue it can cause on the interpreter didn't realize it can also, affect the client as well.

dogmom · 06-07-2009, 04:28 PM

all for taking time to share/explain

Oceanblue7 · 06-07-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

As far as a deafblind person who needs interpreting as well as notetaking, the only time someone can do both is if they are a captionist who also knows sign. My captionist is one of them. She writes notes for me during college lectures, but also signs to me if there is something I cannot hear or do not understand.

I am confused on the notes, are the notes later transcribed into Braille or just left as written notes?

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oceanblue7

I am confused on the notes, are the notes later transcribed into Braille or just left as written notes?

My captionist has provided notes in one of 2 ways for me. Before I received a BrailleNote (a PDA for the blind), she used to e-mail them. Now that I have the BrailleNote, I give her a memory card which she puts into her laptop and transfers my notes to. The memory card allows me to read her transcript on my BrailleNote. When I'm in class, I also have my BrailleNote connected to her laptop so I can read everything she types in real time.

Hear Again · 06-07-2009, 06:50 PM

Unfortunately, many deafblind people do not have the luxury of choosing who they want to act as their tactile terp given the severe shortage of them in the deafblind community. For example, in my area, there are only 3 terps to work with. The agency who provides terps allows me to choose who I'd like to work with, but this is dependent upon who is available on the day and date I need them. Deaf people have far more choices in regards to the terps they work with due to the fact that tactile interpreting is something many terps are not trained in nor feel comfortable doing.

Oceanblue7 · 06-07-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

My captionist has provided notes in one of 2 ways for me. Before I received a BrailleNote (a PDA for the blind), she used to e-mail them. Now that I have the BrailleNote, I give her a memory card which she puts into her laptop and transfers my notes to. The memory card allows me to read her transcript on my BrailleNote. When I'm in class, I also have my BrailleNote connected to her laptop so I can read everything she types in real time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Unfortunately, many deafblind people do not have the luxury of choosing who they want to act as their tactile terp given the severe shortage of them in the deafblind community. For example, in my area, there are only 3 terps to work with. The agency who provides terps allows me to choose who I'd like to work with, but this is dependent upon who is available on the day and date I need them. Deaf people have far more choices in regards to the terps they work with due to the fact that tactile interpreting is something many terps are not trained in nor feel comfortable doing.

I just now, remembered a long time, I knew a blind man from church. In the early stages of computers, this was like in 1999 or so. He was very thrilled to use internet and computers. Bec there was some kind of program to help him use the internet. I had forgotten that part, so I can see how you use AD and other websites to read text here

I would love to take a workshop for d/b interpreting, you are inspiring me here

I don't mind expanding my horizons in the field of interpreting. I love languages. I also, do Spanish interpreting along with ASL

I wouldn't mind adding more salsa on my plate hehe

Mrs Bucket · 06-07-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Unfortunately, many deafblind people do not have the luxury of choosing who they want to act as their tactile terp given the severe shortage of them in the deafblind community. For example, in my area, there are only 3 terps to work with. The agency who provides terps allows me to choose who I'd like to work with, but this is dependent upon who is available on the day and date I need them. Deaf people have far more choices in regards to the terps they work with due to the fact that tactile interpreting is something many terps are not trained in nor feel comfortable doing.

You're right HearAgain about choices.

It was just like I went to the Eye Institute a Culturally Deaf person and left as a DeafBlind person.

Gone was my choices and freedom to choose.

I wasn't able to choose from interpreters and had to stick with one intervenor.

This sent me for a down-spiral depression because there isn't services or resources preparing Culturally Deaf people on their journey into DeafBlindhood.

I went through this path with so much mixed emotions and feelings. I felt angry about the choices and my rights to accessibility being robbed.

I was so angry because a lot of people kept forgetting that I was still culturally Deaf first , blind second.

I am very appreciative that HearAgain brought up a lot of points that echoed and still echoes with me & others too as well.

ASLGAL · 06-07-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Unfortunately, many deafblind people do not have the luxury of choosing who they want to act as their tactile terp given the severe shortage of them in the deafblind community.

That is true, and although we are always short or nearly so at functions for SSP and/or Interpreter to client ratio, we are blessed, as both programs at Cincinnati State and Sinclair(Dayton) train their students in all modes whether they are focused of tactile or not. I am not sure about Wright State(also near Dayton) but it seems we usually have versatile Terps and SSPs.

Hear Again · 06-08-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASLGAL

That is true, and although we are always short or nearly so at functions for SSP and/or Interpreter to client ratio, we are blessed, as both programs at Cincinnati State and Sinclair(Dayton) train their students in all modes whether they are focused of tactile or not. I am not sure about Wright State(also near Dayton) but it seems we usually have versatile Terps and SSPs.

The local universities in my area also train students in deafblind interpreting whether they choose to terp for the Deaf or deafblind. The difference though is the experience and comfort level they have doing the latter. I certainly wouldn't want to have a terp who did not feel (no pun intended) comfortable using tactile sign.

Hear Again · 06-08-2009, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs Bucket

You're right HearAgain about choices.

It was just like I went to the Eye Institute a Culturally Deaf person and left as a DeafBlind person.

Gone was my choices and freedom to choose.

I wasn't able to choose from interpreters and had to stick with one intervenor.

This sent me for a down-spiral depression because there isn't services or resources preparing Culturally Deaf people on their journey into DeafBlindhood.

I went through this path with so much mixed emotions and feelings. I felt angry about the choices and my rights to accessibility being robbed.

I was so angry because a lot of people kept forgetting that I was still culturally Deaf first , blind second.

I am very appreciative that HearAgain brought up a lot of points that echoed and still echoes with me & others too as well.

I'm sorry you experienced those emotions Mrs Bucket, but I can definitely relate. I had similar experiences only in my case, people refused to look at me as a deafblind person after I lost my hearing and would instead continue to see me as a totally blind person. This made my adjustment to deafness that much more difficult because if the people around me refused to accept the fact I could no longer hear, how was I supposed to do the same?

Hear Again · 06-08-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oceanblue7

I just now, remembered a long time, I knew a blind man from church. In the early stages of computers, this was like in 1999 or so. He was very thrilled to use internet and computers. Bec there was some kind of program to help him use the internet. I had forgotten that part, so I can see how you use AD and other websites to read text here

I would love to take a workshop for d/b interpreting, you are inspiring me here

I don't mind expanding my horizons in the field of interpreting. I love languages. I also, do Spanish interpreting along with ASL

I wouldn't mind adding more salsa on my plate hehe

Ocean,

If you could take a workshop in DB interpreting, that would be great and I would strongly encourage you to do so given the severe shortage of DB terps and SSPs.

As far as technology is concerned, we've certainly come a long way since I started using computers in 1984!

Oceanblue7 · 06-08-2009, 04:55 PM

Hereagain, I had a surface example where someone placed their hand on mine , asked me to close my eyes, and did feel they signed to me "hi" handshape h and i. I would like to learn more in depth , that way I can feel comfortable enough to use the skill to communicate and start slow til my skills are sufficient.

I will check out some workshops ask around my area. I know there is the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, CA maybe , that would be a good start

Hear Again · 06-08-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oceanblue7

Hereagain, I had a surface example where someone placed their hand on mine , asked me to close my eyes, and did feel they signed to me "hi" handshape h and i. I would like to learn more in depth , that way I can feel comfortable enough to use the skill to communicate and start slow til my skills are sufficient.

I will check out some workshops ask around my area. I know there is the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, CA maybe , that would be a good start

You may want to contact the American Association of the Deaf-Blind (AADB) or Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). They may know of several deafblind workshops you can attend. Gallaudet may as well.

AlleyCat · 06-08-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

My captionist has provided notes in one of 2 ways for me. Before I received a BrailleNote (a PDA for the blind), she used to e-mail them. Now that I have the BrailleNote, I give her a memory card which she puts into her laptop and transfers my notes to. The memory card allows me to read her transcript on my BrailleNote. When I'm in class, I also have my BrailleNote connected to her laptop so I can read everything she types in real time.

Out of curiousity, I thought I'd read in other threads that you can hear nearly perfectly with your CIs. Can I ask what is the purpose behind reading the BrailleNotes?

Hear Again · 06-08-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlleyCat

Out of curiousity, I thought I'd read in other threads that you can hear nearly perfectly with your CIs. Can I ask what is the purpose behind reading the BrailleNotes?

I cannot hear from a distance which is why I use realtime captioning along with the BrailleNote.

I tried using my Comtek FM system during lecture, but my professors would always forget to repeat student questions and comments. It was frustrating having to remind them every 10 minutes to repeat what was said in class, so I gave up.

Furthermore, what I hear in a sound booth is not indicative of what I hear in real life.

Remember too that I am totally blind and cannot lipread like you can.

06-06-2009, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Oceanblue7 Patriots Rock! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: She Walks by faith not by sight Posts: 6,693 Blog Entries: 26	Deaf/ Blind Interpreting I have no experience in deaf/blind interpreting, I am curious, if it takes two interpreters for each assignment due to the physical nature? What is your time duration of interpreting? Maybe, some of our deaf/blind members can describe their interpreter experiences. Thanks __________________ Ps.103:12 He washes our sins away into the ocean Brady's back "We have unfinished business to take care of" Randy Moss,#81, WR

06-07-2009, 12:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Etoile legally married :) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,091	It's funny, I observe so many CDI's and SSP's at Gallaudet with the deafblind people on campus, but I have no idea how that job works. I'll be looking forward to hearing the responses here too! __________________ "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." -Gandhi

06-07-2009, 12:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Oceanblue7 Patriots Rock! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: She Walks by faith not by sight Posts: 6,693 Blog Entries: 26	I have observed the job as well, wonder too. Most of the interpreters have seen are CDI or deaf person (non certified)doing the interpreting at certain events. I do know hearing people interpret as for deaf/blind . I am curious on the replies too. __________________ Ps.103:12 He washes our sins away into the ocean Brady's back "We have unfinished business to take care of" Randy Moss,#81, WR

06-07-2009, 01:09 AM	#4 (permalink)
dreama deafblind vegan Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,018	Usually there is only one interpreter with a deafblind person unless the deafblind person needs a note taker in which case their are two. Interpreters use a veriety of communication methods including the deafblind manual and hands on sign language. __________________ I speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. http://www.fightfoca.com/

06-07-2009, 01:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Oceanblue7 Patriots Rock! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: She Walks by faith not by sight Posts: 6,693 Blog Entries: 26	What is deafblind manual? Never heard of it. __________________ Ps.103:12 He washes our sins away into the ocean Brady's back "We have unfinished business to take care of" Randy Moss,#81, WR

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06-07-2009, 04:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,073 Blog Entries: 6	Tactile interpreters can also communicate with the deafblind by using a TeleBraille (Braille TTY), Teletouch (a device which has a QWERTY keyboard and a single Braille cell display), Screen Braille Communicator/SBC (similar to the Teletouch), Braille/raised print alphabet card or fingerbraille. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

06-07-2009, 04:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,073 Blog Entries: 6	I had a Deaf interpreter when I attended an AADB convention in 1996. The only difficulty I had was that he communicated to me in ASL when I required PSE. I was just starting to learn ASL at the time which is why I needed PSE. I kept signing "English please," but he continued signing in ASL. My original tactile terp was in a rush and forgot to let him know that I used PSE instead of ASL and apologized repeatedly once I told her what happened. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

06-07-2009, 07:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
ASLGAL Here's Your Sign ;-D Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 708	In my area it depends upon the length of the time needed if there is a team assigned or just one interpreter. __________________ "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" ~ Edmund Burke~ "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser" ~ Socrates ~

06-07-2009, 08:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,073 Blog Entries: 6	The availability of tactile terps also depends on your location. We only have 3 tactile terps where I live. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

06-07-2009, 08:55 AM	#13 (permalink)
Mrs Bucket has retired from AllDeaf. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,348	HearAgain explained important things why I am going to college. - the ratio of intervenors per client. [2 per client] Each client is supposed to have 2 intervenors regardless of the appointment. The intervenors are not supposed to go under undue physical stress because tactiling is physically hard on the body after a long day. The client has their duty to make sure he/she does not put too much weight on the intervenor's hands. It is hard sometimes because there are much older/elderly citizens like male elderly citizens and they will actually "rest" their hands on the intervenors' hands causing a lot of shoulders' stiffness. The intervenors will have to pull the client's thumb to make sure his/her hands does not fall off the intervenor's hands as well while signing. I speak from personal experience while tactiling and intervening. I've had painful neck/shoulder and back movements while tactiling with older people that have not been taught the proper movements of tactiling. There are workshops for the intervenors BUT there should be workshops for the clients too as well. Some clients should be made aware that they are not doing their body stance correctly thus causing undue body stress on their intervenors. I do inform other DBs that they need to adjust their body stress because they cause me pain when tactiling. I won't flower my words because our world is dark and silent so we need to know the truth when others with vision and hearing don't tell us this. I usually communicate my preference of ASL beforehand with intervenors. I also personally "screen" intervenors as I admit to being anal about intervenors because I prefer intervenors that know about Deaf Culture, ASL Lingustics/syntaxes because I don't want to miss out on conversations when I use a hearing intervenor that signs in ESL/PSE. "Train gone by sorry" signed by PSE intervenor is totally different signed by an ASL intervenor. Get this gist? (winks!) __________________ My new nieces/nephews are arriving soon!

06-07-2009, 09:54 AM	#14 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,073 Blog Entries: 6	Mrs Bucket, Excellent point about how physically demanding tactile sign is. After I started learning tactile sign, I experienced a great deal of upper arm and shoulder pain as a result. Even now when I have to use tactile sign (mainly to communicate with DB friends or I am unable to hear in background noise) I still have alot of pain. I also have severe CTS which affects my hands, so basically my entire body aches. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

06-07-2009, 01:20 PM	#16 (permalink)
Oceanblue7 Patriots Rock! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: She Walks by faith not by sight Posts: 6,693 Blog Entries: 26	I totally appreciate sharing your experiences and explaining the deaf/ blind interpreting process. I understand, the physical fatigue it can cause on the interpreter didn't realize it can also, affect the client as well. __________________ Ps.103:12 He washes our sins away into the ocean Brady's back "We have unfinished business to take care of" Randy Moss,#81, WR

06-07-2009, 04:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
dogmom Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,467	all for taking time to share/explain <big smiley>

06-07-2009, 06:50 PM	#20 (permalink)
Hear Again Each day is a gift. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,073 Blog Entries: 6	Unfortunately, many deafblind people do not have the luxury of choosing who they want to act as their tactile terp given the severe shortage of them in the deafblind community. For example, in my area, there are only 3 terps to work with. The agency who provides terps allows me to choose who I'd like to work with, but this is dependent upon who is available on the day and date I need them. Deaf people have far more choices in regards to the terps they work with due to the fact that tactile interpreting is something many terps are not trained in nor feel comfortable doing. __________________ Left ear - Nucleus 24 Contour Advance with Freedom BTE (Implanted: 12/22/04 \| Activated: 1/18/05) Right ear - Nucleus Freedom (Implanted: 2/1/06 \| Activated: 3/1/06) Deafblind/Postlingual

06-08-2009, 04:55 PM	#27 (permalink)
Oceanblue7 Patriots Rock! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: She Walks by faith not by sight Posts: 6,693 Blog Entries: 26	Hereagain, I had a surface example where someone placed their hand on mine , asked me to close my eyes, and did feel they signed to me "hi" handshape h and i. I would like to learn more in depth , that way I can feel comfortable enough to use the skill to communicate and start slow til my skills are sufficient. I will check out some workshops ask around my area. I know there is the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, CA maybe , that would be a good start __________________ Ps.103:12 He washes our sins away into the ocean Brady's back "We have unfinished business to take care of" Randy Moss,#81, WR

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