According to a report by the American Institutes for Research, people with disabilities in the United States have a combined disposable income of $490 billion per year, representing a significant market opportunity for your Hawaii business. As the world becomes more interconnected, inclusive communication is vital in business and cannot be overstated. In Hawaii, where the population is incredibly diverse, effective communication is especially crucial for businesses that want to reach a wide range of people.
And one of the most significant barriers to effective communication is language, and this is where American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting services come in. By providing accommodations like ASL interpreting services, your Hawaii business can remove this barrier and make it more accessible to this population. By hiring a nationwide ASL interpreting service, your Hawaii business can break down language barriers and create a more inclusive environment for your clients.
Nationwide ASL interpreting services
An ASL interpreting service is a professional service that provides qualified interpreters to facilitate communication between individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who can hear. Nationwide ASL interpreting service provides services across multiple locations across the country. These services are usually provided remotely or on-site by a team of qualified ASL interpreters, who facilitate communication between hard of hearing individuals and hearing individuals in a variety of settings.
Some of the remote interpreting services include video remote interpreting (VRI) and over-the-phone interpreting (OPI). In addition to interpreting services, some organizations may also offer training and consultation services to help businesses and institutions better understand and accommodate the needs of deaf individuals.
Benefits of Nationwide ASL interpreting services
- Wider Customer Base
Using a nationwide ASL interpreting service will allow your Hawaii Business to reach a wider range of potential customers. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals may avoid businesses that do not offer ASL interpreting services, by providing ASL interpreting services, you can attract and retain these customers. An additional advantage is that people who do not speak English as their first language may also benefit from ASL interpreting services, as ASL is a visual language that can transcend language barriers.
- Customer satisfaction
A study by Accenture found that 52% of consumers are more likely to remain loyal to a company that makes an effort to be inclusive and diverse. By providing ASL interpreting services your business can improve the satisfaction of your existing customers. By removing language barriers, you provide a more positive and welcoming experience for all customers, regardless of their hearing abilities. This has the advantage of increased loyalty and positive word-of-mouth referrals.
- Compliance
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires businesses to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in legal action, so it’s important to ensure that your business is meeting these requirements. By using a nationwide ASL interpreting service, you can ensure that you are meeting these legal requirements and avoiding potential lawsuits and penalties.
- Boost Your Reputation:
76% of consumers expect companies to take a stand on social issues, and 64% of those consumers say they will make a purchase based on that stance. (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2021). Businesses that offer inclusive communication and accommodations like ASL interpreting services are seen as more socially responsible and ethical. By promoting your commitment to serving a diverse clientele, you can enhance your brand reputation and attract customers who value inclusivity.
- Increase Revenue:
Inclusive companies enjoy 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee over a three years, than non-inclusive companies. (Josh Bersin, 2018). By serving a more diverse clientele and improving customer satisfaction, you can increase your revenue. More studies have shown that businesses that offer accommodations for people with disabilities can see a boost in revenue and customer loyalty By providing ASL interpreting services, your Hawaii business can tap into a significant customer base and differentiate itself from competitors.
- Access New Markets:
Providing ASL interpreting services can help your business access new markets. For example, if you are a tourism business, providing ASL interpreting services can attract deaf or hard of hearing tourists who may not have considered your destination previously. This can help to diversify your customer base and increase revenue.
Addressing Cost Concerns:
Expenses can be a concern when considering an ASL interpreting service. However, any business that invests in inclusive communication practices may see cost savings in the long run. For example by avoiding legal fees and penalties for non-compliance with ADA accessibility laws, businesses can save money. Also by improving customer service, your Hawaii business may see increased revenue from repeat business and positive referrals. Many nationwide ASL interpreting services offer competitive rates and flexible scheduling options to accommodate businesses needs and budgets.
Choosing a Reputable Provider
When considering a nationwide ASL interpreting service, your business should consider some factors. You should ensure that the nationwide ASL interpreting service provider has experienced and certified interpreters who understand ASL and Deaf culture. You should look for providers that offer a range of services, including on-site, remote, and video interpreting, to accommodate different communication needs. You should seek out providers that offer reliable and responsive customer support and can take last-minute requests or cater to emergencies. And you should consider providers that have a proven track record of working with businesses in your industry or region.
Implementing Effective Communication Strategies
Once your Hawaii business has hired a nationwide ASL interpreting service, it is vital to implement effective communication strategies to ensure that the service meets the needs of your clients. This can mean providing training and resources to employees on how to work effectively with interpreters, establishing clear communication protocols for scheduling and logistics, and regularly collecting feedback from clients to improve service quality. By working collaboratively with interpreters and clients, businesses can ensure that their communication practices are effective, efficient, and respectful.
Conclusion
In today’s world effective communication with diverse clients is essential for businesses to be competitive. In Hawaii with a population of around 25,000 deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals, effective communication is particularly important for businesses that want to reach this audience and increase their market opportunity.
Nationwide ASL interpreting services can help remove language barriers and make businesses more accessible to the deaf or hard of hearing clients. Businesses that offer ASL interpreting services can reap benefits such as a wider customer base, increased customer satisfaction, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, improved reputation, increased revenue, and access to a new market. Also it’s important to choose a reputable ASL interpreting service provider and implement effective communication strategies to ensure that the service meets the needs of your clients.
One such nationwide interpreting service is Unspoken Language Services, which offers interpreting services to help bridge the communication gap between the deaf and hearing communities.
