Many unfamiliar with ASL likely know of few places where it might be useful. But wherever they may go might be an ideal situation for such a need. Interpreting services can train their employees for a variety of industries. Whether a person knows it or not, ASL is a great way to make their job and/or industry more inclusive to everyone. Here are just a few of the fields that ASL interpreters might work in:
Healthcare
Proper healthcare is an important part of life. No matter what part of the world anyone’s from, we all want to live a healthy life. Communicating with one’s doctor is of paramount importance. This is why interpreters are important to the healthcare field. Having gone through a few ASL classes myself, opened my eyes to the struggles the deaf community experiences with communication. When a doctor wishes to convey their findings to a patient, writing notes back and forth might be extremely informal.
An interpreter would eliminate the need for written notes. Those with years of experience can exchange words between the doctor and patient with ease. If a patient is to receive important news regarding their health, someone trained in ASL interpretation might help reduce the anxiety of receiving the news.
Emergency services help a great deal of people. And they all speak various languages. EMS or 911 services should always strive to understand everyone. One way they can help serve the public better is by employing the aid of an interpreter. They can be sent out once they are informed an interpreter will be needed on-site.
Mental health is another subject of healthcare many need help with. Finding the right therapist is important, especially if an individual requires specific care regarding a condition. No one wants to be left wondering how to effectively do home therapy exercises on their own.
Education
Education is an important part of life. Knowledge of one’s favorite subject is not always easy to acquire. But when someone finds a path to their dream, it’s always best to seize that opportunity. No matter what walk of life we come from, we all have a desire to learn as much as we can about what we love. Being able to ask a teacher or professor a question can provide answers to questions that are otherwise unavailable.
School can be a melting pot of different personalities and cultures. It’s always fun learning about a new friend’s life experiences. Or what they might be interested in studying. There might be a whole list of things a friend might want to do. A study group might even be formed, giving one more avenue in education for an ASL interpreter to be helpful. It’s interesting to see first-hand just how much more at ease a deaf individual is when they are aided by an ASL interpreter.
Legal Settings
Communicating with law enforcement can happen at any given time. When one happens to be a witness to a crime, going in to give a statement can be nerve-racking as is. It’s even harder when a person knows that an officer likely doesn’t speak their language. Using notes to exchange information between two individuals seems a bit informal. In a situation such as sitting and ‘speaking’ with an officer, a deaf individual can more effectively ‘speak’ with the aid of an interpreter. An officer would not need to pass a sheet of paper to a witness who may be deaf or hard of hearing.
There might be a handful of events where speaking to a lawyer may be necessary. Legal terminology itself is almost its own language. And few people are well-versed in legal jargon. With the right training, an interpreter with a background in paralegal experience would be a great asset to any court case.
Concerts, Music Video Interpretation, Music Festivals
Everyone should have access to music in all its forms. Just because an individual might be deaf doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy music. Some people describe ‘feeling the music’ whenever their favorite song comes on. For an individual who is profoundly deaf, there is no truer experience than feeling the music. The majority of songs come with lyrics that help convey the intended meaning of each song, depending on the genre.
It has only been in the most recent times that music has opened up to others with different life experiences. Music fans should go to at least one concert in their life. One of the best ways to absorb the music is by understanding the lyrics. Concerts with interpreters have become commonplace. Not only does it show how accessible concerts can be, it might even spark interest in a person who previously considered exploring being an interpreter.
Rapper Logic once had an interpreter at a show. When he noticed her keeping up with his music, he challenged her to a ‘battle.’ This battle came in the form of him freestyling and her keeping up by interpreting everything. It was quite a fascinating watch.
Aside from interpreting at concerts, there are many who put videos on video-sharing sites. There are always plenty of songs to choose from. Many interpreters often choose song interpretation as a method of training, which is a fun learning experience.
Conventions, Press Conferences, News
Staying informed is a necessary fact of everyday life. No one likes to be surprised when things happen with their favorite clothing or grocery store. Oftentimes, the way a majority of people find out bad news about a favorite haunt is through local news. Almost every news station now has an interpreter window location in one of the four screen corners. They are usually found when a station plays a press conference, a breaking news report, or local current news.
Different industries often hold conventions as well. Politicians hope to effectively communicate with everyone in their districts. Or, if they are in a higher level of politics, perhaps a governor may catch wind of issues affecting the deaf community. Having a representative, either an interpreter or someone from the deaf community, can help politicians and their constituents develop a closer and more understanding relationship.
Comic/Game Conventions are a great way to get into a fandom. Everyone wants to meet their favorite actor, artist/musician, or voice actor. A handful of interpreters in the right spots can make any anime, game, or sci-fi convention an amazing place for members of the deaf community to hang out.
In Closing
Accessibility is important in an ever-growing world. All businesses should strive to welcome all potential clients. It provides both a welcoming environment and opens up the potential for even more clientele. If you or a company are looking for an interpreter or would like open dialogue with the deaf community, Unspoken Language Services can help you. Inform them of what function you need an interpreter for, how long, and their services can find the right candidate for the job.
