Disability Resource Center
Sign Language Interpreting Services
Interpreter Request Form l Testimonials l How to Use an Interpreter l What is Relay? l Deaf & Hard of Hearing Resources
Whatever your situation may be, we have an interpreter to fill the need.
The Center utilizes the services of one full-time, certified staff interpreter from our organization and several certified, professional freelance interpreters (self-employed). All Interpreters are licensed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Our interpreters adhere to the RID/NAD Code of Ethics. Interpreters are available to travel throughout Kentucky. The Center can also arrange Deaf culture sensitivity training for interested groups.
To schedule an interpreter or for more information contact:
Interpreting Services
Center for Accessible Living
(502) 589-6620 (voice)
(502) 589-6690 (TTY)
(502) 649-3336 cell with voice mail
Email
Rates: $50.00 per hour
One hour minimum on assignment plus one hour minimum travel time.
24 hour cancellation notice required.
Please try to request interpreters at least one week in advance.
Please Include: Assignment Date, Day of the Week, Time of Assignment, Deaf Client, Business/Agency Name, Location of Assignment, Your Name, email and phone number.
Testimonials
"The Center for Accessible Living provides professional and efficient interpreter referral services. They know the local Deaf community
members and their preferred interpreters. They also know the interpreting community and Louisville businesses well. This deep knowledge and
connection results in better matching interpreters to assignments and, therefore, better communication overall. CAL demonstrates a commitment to
the Deaf community and consistently strives to find new ways of serving, educating, advocating, and empowering. I never hesitate to refer someone
to Center for Accessible Living."
Michelle Niehaus, LCSW, Program Administrator, KY Division for Behavioral Health, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
"The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts works with the interpreting services of the Center for Accessible Living when we have patrons who
request ASL. The Kentucky Center is the recipient of several national accessibility awards and places a high priority on offering
quality access services to our patrons. Working with CAL’s interpreting services allows us to provide our patrons with responsible, prepared, and skilled
interpreters so that they can fully enjoy what’s on our stages. I couldn’t be happier with the availability and the quality of the work."
Martha Newman, Director of Access Services, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
How to Work with an Interpreter
Partial excerpt from Interpreting An Introduction
by Nancy Frishberg
A hearing person who has not worked with an interpreter before can avoid some
common errors by following the hints below:
Speak directly to the deaf person. Act as if the interpreter were not there.
Phrases such as “Ask him or tell her”
are not necessary. Speak to the deaf
person as you would anyone else.
Maintain a normal tone of voice. It is not necessary to yell, or speak overly
loud.
Avoid speaking about the deaf person. Do not direct questions about the deaf
person to the interpreter. They don’t know any more information about the deaf
person than you do.
Phrases such as “Don’t interpret this….”
will be interpreted. If hearing
people wish to speak about something and they don’t want the deaf person to hear
it, they should step out of the room.
Golden Rule: If the interpreter hears it, it will be signed.
Speak at a normal pace. There is no need to stop and wait for the
interpreter to finish signing after every few words. Keep in mind that
if you are reading from a prepared speech, you will read much faster
than normal.
Relay Services
If you are unfamiliar with Relay Service and how to communicate over the telephone with individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing, please view this page: Telecommunication Relay Services Guide
Relay phone numbers to know:
When calling from Voice to TTY/TDD: (800) 648-6057 or dial 711 and wait for the operator.
When calling from TTY/TDD to Voice: (800) 648-6056
Speech to Speech: (888) 244-6111
Connect With CAL:
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