Interpreters need to prep too?

You are planning a stellar event, conference, webinar, or Zoom meeting. You've spent a ton of time ensuring that all the details are exactly as needed. To provide accessibility, you've hired a team of sign language interpreters.

It's a few days before the event and the interpreters are asking for information to prepare for the event. Really? Don't they just sign what is said? Why do you need to provide materials in advance for the interpreters?

You've worked hard to create this event, which has several moving parts. You have speakers, possibly award recipients, breakout sessions... and all the people involved have prepared their parts. Hiring an interpreter or team of interpreters may be one of the final things you did. Your interpreters are an integral part of your event. They are professionals who want your event to be just as successful as you do. While each speaker may be responsible for one part of the event, the interpreters are responsible for communicating the entire event to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind consumers.

As interpreters, we are generalists who have a wide range of experience interpreting different interactions and events. You and your speakers are the experts on the topics on which you/they will present. This may include specialized vocabulary and acronyms related to the topic.

What prep materials are needed?

If this is a webinar or video platform meeting, an agenda and a copy of the presenter's slide deck is needed. If there is specialized vocabulary and/or acronyms, a list of the vocabulary and acronyms is much appreciated. If this is a budget meeting, or a public meeting, the agenda and any numbers discussed are needed. Interpreters adhere to a strict Code of Professional Conduct and confidentiality of prep materials is maintained.

Interpreters need time to prepare for this specialized topic and understand it to interpret into American Sign Language. In addition, interpreter teams will work together to divide the work per the timing of the event.

If there are several consumers attending the event with breakout sessions, the interpreters will determine with the presenter how to best accomplish this so all goes smoothly.

The length of the event will determine the amount of prep time needed. A one or two hour event might need 30-60 minutes of prep time a few days before the event. However, for a theatrical performance, the script, music (if included) and a schedule of rehearsals are needed weeks in advance. This is true whether the performance is an elementary school cast or a professional cast. We are responsible for the entire script, each character and all the songs are communicated effectively in ASL.

Ultimately, the more prep materials and time provided, the better the interpretation process will be. We look forward to being a part of your team and ensuring your event is a success!