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Technology helps Oroville interpreter communicate with deaf community - Chico Enterprise Record
She's worked as a sign language interpreter for 23 years. And if she could be granted one wish, it would be that people understand how deaf people communicate.
About 23 years ago, Bobbie Holcraft needed a job. She found a newspaper advertisement for a sign language interpreter, and the employer would train. However, they wanted someone who knew something about signing.
Holcraft checked out a library book, studied for three days, and got the job. She has worked as an American Sign Language, or ASL interpreter ever since, and she would like to make people aware of communication obstacles the hearing impaired face.
"I would like to advocate for more access for the deaf," Holcraft said.
She interprets for Butte County, working in every department, including the Superior Court, Behavioral Health, probation, the jail and other departments, she said.
She also signs for everything from weddings to births to funerals, and she volunteers at local events such as the Butte County Fair.
From her home office in Oroville, Holcraft uses a Video Relay System telephone, which shows both caller and receiver on a video screen with both parties signing.
Holcraft subscribes to Sorenson Video Relay Service, which provides a free 24-hour service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
With the video service, people with hearing disabilities can talk to friends, family or business associates through an ASL interpreter using an Internet connection.
However, the service only works if the receiver has the service, and Holcraft says most public agencies still use the teletyping device that sends a typed message translated from a voice message.
Moreover, Holcraft said, people with hearing disabilities go into public agencies in person to ask the same questions or to take care of the same business everyone else can conduct by telephone.
Another problem arises when hearing people try to communicate with non-hearing people in writing. ASL signing condenses communications, leaving out all unnecessary words, including as, and, an, but, if, or and at.
For example, she said in sign language the person would say, "You, me go to movies tomorrow." So a sign language communicator is sometimes confused by all the extra words.
There's also a misconception about lip reading, she said. Often the deaf person interprets body language, gestures or a look in someone's eye, more than reading lips, she said.
"I've had people say they talked to a deaf person about something, but when I communicated in sign language, the deaf person hadn't understood what the person was trying to say," Holcraft said.
Holcraft wishes every public agency and service provider had available interpreters, as well as a video relay interpreting system.
Recently, Holcraft lost her space in Chico at Behavioral Health offices where she taught sign language. She is looking for a new building in Oroville.
She teaches five 10-week classes from beginning to advanced ASL signing. Holcraft said what began as a way to make a living 23 years ago has become a life path for her, and for her family. Her daughter is also an interpreter, and her son teaches sign language in Sacramento. Her two young grandchildren have also learned sign language.
Deaf people are very warm, caring people, Holcraft said. They bond with each other and become like one large family in a community.
"I was born hearing, but I should have been born deaf," Holcraft said. "I love the deaf culture. I love everything about it."
For more information about ASL classes, call Holcraft at 370-8634. Hearing impaired people can call her at 812-8634 for questions or services, which is the video relay number.
She's worked as a sign language interpreter for 23 years. And if she could be granted one wish, it would be that people understand how deaf people communicate.
About 23 years ago, Bobbie Holcraft needed a job. She found a newspaper advertisement for a sign language interpreter, and the employer would train. However, they wanted someone who knew something about signing.
Holcraft checked out a library book, studied for three days, and got the job. She has worked as an American Sign Language, or ASL interpreter ever since, and she would like to make people aware of communication obstacles the hearing impaired face.
"I would like to advocate for more access for the deaf," Holcraft said.
She interprets for Butte County, working in every department, including the Superior Court, Behavioral Health, probation, the jail and other departments, she said.
She also signs for everything from weddings to births to funerals, and she volunteers at local events such as the Butte County Fair.
From her home office in Oroville, Holcraft uses a Video Relay System telephone, which shows both caller and receiver on a video screen with both parties signing.
Holcraft subscribes to Sorenson Video Relay Service, which provides a free 24-hour service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
With the video service, people with hearing disabilities can talk to friends, family or business associates through an ASL interpreter using an Internet connection.
However, the service only works if the receiver has the service, and Holcraft says most public agencies still use the teletyping device that sends a typed message translated from a voice message.
Moreover, Holcraft said, people with hearing disabilities go into public agencies in person to ask the same questions or to take care of the same business everyone else can conduct by telephone.
Another problem arises when hearing people try to communicate with non-hearing people in writing. ASL signing condenses communications, leaving out all unnecessary words, including as, and, an, but, if, or and at.
For example, she said in sign language the person would say, "You, me go to movies tomorrow." So a sign language communicator is sometimes confused by all the extra words.
There's also a misconception about lip reading, she said. Often the deaf person interprets body language, gestures or a look in someone's eye, more than reading lips, she said.
"I've had people say they talked to a deaf person about something, but when I communicated in sign language, the deaf person hadn't understood what the person was trying to say," Holcraft said.
Holcraft wishes every public agency and service provider had available interpreters, as well as a video relay interpreting system.
Recently, Holcraft lost her space in Chico at Behavioral Health offices where she taught sign language. She is looking for a new building in Oroville.
She teaches five 10-week classes from beginning to advanced ASL signing. Holcraft said what began as a way to make a living 23 years ago has become a life path for her, and for her family. Her daughter is also an interpreter, and her son teaches sign language in Sacramento. Her two young grandchildren have also learned sign language.
Deaf people are very warm, caring people, Holcraft said. They bond with each other and become like one large family in a community.
"I was born hearing, but I should have been born deaf," Holcraft said. "I love the deaf culture. I love everything about it."
For more information about ASL classes, call Holcraft at 370-8634. Hearing impaired people can call her at 812-8634 for questions or services, which is the video relay number.
