Uncertified sign language interpreters sent to critical situations

Lawsuit: Interpreters couldn't communicate

If any couple is used to overcoming obstacles, it's Nikki and Kris Runge.

"I was deaf since birth, growing up," said Nikki Runge.

She and her husband had always wanted children, and after five years of trying to get pregnant, they decided to go through fertility treatments last year.

The doctor's office brought in a "sign language interpreter" for Nikki, and that is when she felt the real obstacles began.

"First time I've experienced anybody like this -- worst interpreter ever," she said.

The Runges soon realized that the interpreter wasn't saying what Nikki was, in part, because Kris isn't deaf.

"I had to step in two or three times," said Kris Runge. "And this is an emotional process for me, too, and I've been trying to be involved and it's very hard to at the same time be the interpreter."

Over a few meetings, the problems escalated, the Runges said, until finally during a group therapy session, the interpreter simply stopped talking and left.

They weren't the only ones struggling to be heard.

"Unfortunately, I had a bad experience as well," said Avi Haimowitz, who is also deaf.

She was in a critical meeting with Jefferson County Human Services when she said she realized the hired interpreter was misinterpreting.

"I would ask, 'Is this what you said?' No. This is what she is saying," said Haimowitz.

It turns out, in both cases they said the interpreters were sent by the same translation service, A&A Languages, based out of a Centennial home.

The owner has repeatedly refused our requests for comment, and when we went to the house, the person answering the door said he would be in touch.

"I don't want that camera filming anything, OK?" that person said.

An attorney for A&A Languages said the company denies violating the Colorado Consumer Protection Act but would not comment for the story, citing pending litigation.

Amy Robertson, an attorney with the Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center in Denver is now representing the Runges and Haimowitz in a lawsuit against A&A Languages, claiming the company is breaking the law sending interpreters who don't have the certification required under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.

"This provision is extremely clear," said Robertson.

Why would a company hire uncertified interpreters?

"I believe, just to be blunt, because it's cheaper," said Robertson.

Robertson said A&A had contracts with Denver Health, Jefferson County Social Services and Adams County, records show, charging significantly less than sign-language only agencies.

"Unfortunately, I'm not surprised," said Jennifer Pfau with the Colorado Association for the Deaf. "This has been going on for a long time."

She said it is a potentially dangerous issue, comparing uncertified interpreters to unlicensed doctors or lawyers who haven't passed the bar and suggests setting up licensure boards for the state.

Several states do require licensing for sign language interpreters, but Colorado does not.

In the meantime, the Runges said they will fight the legal battle.

Overcoming obstacles is nothing new to them.

"We are now announcing my pregnancy!" said Nikki Runge with a smile.

After everything they have been through, they said the end result will be worth it.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/mon...uage-interpreters-sent-to-critical-situations

I'm sorry that they had bad experiences but:

"Over a few meetings, the problems escalated, the Runges said, until finally during a group therapy session, the interpreter simply stopped talking and left."

They should have complained about the unqualified terp before scheduling their next meeting, and insisted that they get a better one.

Reba said:

I'm sorry that they had bad experiences but:

"Over a few meetings, the problems escalated, the Runges said, until finally during a group therapy session, the interpreter simply stopped talking and left."

They should have complained about the unqualified terp before scheduling their next meeting, and insisted that they get a better one.

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I agree with you but I think some people just like to complain and not do anything to fix the problem . I am not saying they're wrong to be upset
but I see so many people at my condo complain and never do anything about it. It's easier to complain than take action.

I, for 1...did complain...the terp that was sent for my ENT appt., was an older lady. She was trying to tell me what the doctor was saying and would get "lost" in the process....she did tell me the doctor said that I had a tumor in my ear....(actually, he did not say this!)...I was upset, of course, and cried...to find the reason "why" she said this was because she could not spell the disease I had. There was no tumor in my ear....

So the next time I needed a terp for my ENT appt., I asked for one that was proficient with medical terminology.

Later on, I heard that the owner of the Agency herself, was not certified..and she terped many times, even for me....Even her own son did the same....She lost her license, but she still terps and so does her son.

All in all, I've had good and bad interpretors and yes, I do appreciate them.

OMG ! How horrible to say you had a tumor in your ear b/c she could not spell the disease you had . I know you will speak up for yourself but there are some people that don't , they could be too timid to speak up or just not sure what to do. I am always speaking up for myself and did for my clients too . I think most people here know how to speak up for their self .

I am wondering if they did say something about the unqualified interpreter the first time but then just kept getting unqualified interpreters and they grew worse. It's not clear to me if it was the SAME interpreter at all of their meetings or they were just giving the 'benefit of a doubt' seeing as medical terminology can be challenging for anyone even hearing foreign language interpreters.

Either way I don't think they're complaining 'just to complain and not do anything'. They did take action, though not immediately.

DeafDucky said:

I am wondering if they did say something about the unqualified interpreter the first time but then just kept getting unqualified interpreters and they grew worse. It's not clear to me if it was the SAME interpreter at all of their meetings or they were just giving the 'benefit of a doubt' seeing as medical terminology can be challenging for anyone even hearing foreign language interpreters.

Either way I don't think they're complaining 'just to complain and not do anything'. They did take action, though not immediately.

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Agree with ya....

whatdidyousay! said:

I agree with you but I think some people just like to complain and not do anything to fix the problem . I am not saying they're wrong to be upset
but I see so many people at my condo complain and never do anything about it. It's easier to complain than take action.

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I don't mean a general whining complaint but a specific formal complaint to the appropriate party. In this case, it would be the person responsible for hiring the interpreter.

it medical should have well qualified who trained for medical signing.Better have no one than bad one

Reba said:

I don't mean a general whining complaint but a specific formal complaint to the appropriate party. In this case, it would be the person responsible for hiring the interpreter.

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In the Runges' case the doctor's office was the one responsible for hiring the interpreter. There's a lot I may be missing with this story as I don't know if they lodged a formal complaint with the doctor's office or directly with the agency (if they even knew which agency).

Sounds like the doctor's office just threw a dart at a yellow page listing of "translators/interpreters agencies" and hoped for the best.

Reba said:

I don't mean a general whining complaint but a specific formal complaint to the appropriate party. In this case, it would be the person responsible for hiring the interpreter.

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I knew what you meant but I know some people just don't know how to do this . I heard of a hoh woman didn't know how to do this , she went to a store crying and the owner felt so bad that she helped the woman file a complaint . I am was filing a complaint and needed so make some copies and the owner started telling about the woman she helped. I had a lawyer helping me. I won .