Frequently Asked Questions
Does everyone have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
Who is responsible for paying for an interpreter for a Deaf individual?
Can Deaf individuals read and write?
How do I get a Deaf person's attention?
Can't the Deaf person just read my lips, or can't we write notes back and forth, instead of using an interpreter?
Why should I hire a Deaf person?
How long has American Sign Language (ASL) been around?
Is ASL a universal language?
Where can I go to learn ASL?
When is it appropriate to schedule two interpreters?
1. Does everyone have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?
There are very few organizations and/or service providers that do not need to comply with the federally mandated rules and regulations of the ADA. So few in fact, that it is really more helpful for us all to simply know and understand the ADA.
This act was passed into law in the early 1990s. It makes everything more accessible and user friendly for individuals with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination in almost every aspect of society. This means that individuals with disabilities have legal protection in the following areas: employment, state and local government, public transportation, public accommodation, and telecommunications relay services.
Unfortunately, most of us only know about the individuals with visible handicaps, such as the blind and those with physical handicaps. We see the blue wheelchair signs, painted curbs and spaces in parking lots. We know that seeing-eye dogs are allowed into public places in order to assist the Blind. However, one of the often-overlooked services that needs more public awareness, is that of the interpreter, for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.
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2. Who is responsible for paying for an interpreter for a Deaf individual?
In most cases, it is the responsibility of the company, organization, or service provider outlined in the above mentioned areas (employers, state and local government, public transportation, etc.). Even nonprofit organizations are responsible for providing interpreters for Deaf individuals using that organizations services or participating in a public event.
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3. Can Deaf individuals read and write?
Yes. A Deaf person's intelligence level is the same as the general population. Deaf individuals do many of the same things that their hearing peers do. A Deaf person works, drives a car, goes to college, attends public events, participates in the government and community where they live, and, if they have children, are involved in school functions and activities.
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4. How do I get a Deaf person's attention?
It is acceptable to do one of the following; gently tap the individual on the shoulder, wave one's hand toward the Deaf person, call out in a low tone, or stomping a foot that causes a vibration.
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5. Can't the Deaf person just read my lips, or can't we write notes back and forth, instead of using an interpreter?
Unfortunately, a Deaf person will only get about 33% of what you are saying. Even this requires that the individual be an excellent lip reader, which most Deaf individuals are not. For the average Deaf individual that percentage is much lower. Furthermore, writing notes back and forth is another method that hinders communication between the Deaf and Hearing. This method is not only time consuming, it still only allows for partial understanding for the Deaf since English is really their second language, it would be like writing in Spanish for them. A Deaf person can read and write, however, ASL is often their first language, and therefore writing down information may cause further confusion.
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6. Why should I hire a Deaf person?
There are several reasons to hire a Deaf individual. Deaf employees have work records equal to, or better than, Hearing employees as far as, safety, job performance and reliability. Furthermore, by hiring Deaf individuals, corporations help dispel many myths and negative attitudes people have toward Deafness, due to lack of knowledge or interaction with the Deaf community.
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7. How long has American Sign Language (ASL) been around?
ASL was first introduced in the United States in 1816 by Thomas Gallaudet, founder of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut.
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8. Is ASL a universal language?
No. ASL, like any other language, is primarily used in the country of origin. If you were to travel around the world, you would need to know the sign language of the country you were visiting, just as you would need to know the spoken language. There are as many sign languages as there are spoken languages, for instance if you were to travel to Europe, you would have to know German Sign, French Sign, Russian Sign, etc., to communicate with the Deaf citizens in those countries.
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9. Where can I go to learn ASL?
Many colleges, universities and continuing education centers offer courses in American Sign Language. Here is a partial list, more information is available on the internet:
CSU-Hayward
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
Hayward, CA 94542
(510) 885-3523 (TTY) | Diablo Valley College
321 Golf Club Road
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
(925) 685-1230 |
Los Medanos College
2700 East Leland Road
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 439-2181 | Napa Valley College
2277 Napa-Vallejo Highway
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 253-3005 |
Ohlone College
43600 Mission Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94539
(510) 659-6269 | Berkeley City College (formerly Vista College)
2050 Center Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 981-2972 |
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10. When is it appropriate to schedule two interpreters?
Interpreting is mentally and physically demanding. Studies have proven that even the most qualified trained interpreter will lose the ability to adequately and comprehensively communicate if they work alone for more than 1 hour. The ideal amount of time for one interpreter to provide services is 20-30 minutes. Therefore, two interpreters are required for any assignment lasting longer than 1 hour. This decreases the occurrence of cumulative motion injuries such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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