Michigan Based Organization Recognizes the Importance of Identifying the Best American Sign Language
DHIS helps individuals, providers find nationally certified and/or state qualified interpreters
Financing and closing on a new home. A medical operation. Facing litigation and a court date. These are stressful times for any of us, where a successful outcome depends on excellent communication with others.
When someone is deaf or hard of hearing, which means about 10 percent of Michigan's population, working with a certified sign language interpreter helps immensely in such situations. Fortunately, federal and state law, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 and Michigan's Persons with Disabilities Act (PA 220, 1976), mandate that people with disabilities have a right to full and equal communication access and participation.
Paying for these certified sign language interpreters is the responsibility of the providing entity, whether it is a hospital system, a court system, our local police department or a bank or credit union.
However, finding a certified sign language interpreter can be another matter. Not only is there a shortage of interpreters, but, also, it is important to find one with the right experience, says Linda Booth, executive director of Farmington Hills, Michigan-based nonprofit Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Services, Inc.
"In addition to helping individual clients find a certified sign language interpreter, we do a lot informally in making sure that providers like a bank or hospital understand the advantages of following the law. It soothes the way to a better relationship and result," Booth explains.
The best fit. Booth adds that many people wonder why a deaf person who can read lips would still need someone trained and licensed as a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.
"First, it is the law. Our client is entitled to full accommodation. Also, reading lips doesn't convey completely what is being said. Only about 40 percent of spoken English is made on the lips and many of those words appear similar," Booth explains.
Thus, many deaf or hard of hearing individuals who get by in daily life with the aid of lip reading and/or a family member who signs (but is not certified) need more precise aid in these special situations. Moreover, DHIS is skilled at finding the best match in a certified sign language interpreter, based on the age and history of the deaf or hard of hearing individual and the situation at hand.
For assistance in finding a certified sign language interpreter or to learn more about Michigan's deaf and hard of hearing community, please visit www.dhisonline.org.
Financing and closing on a new home. A medical operation. Facing litigation and a court date. These are stressful times for any of us, where a successful outcome depends on excellent communication with others.
When someone is deaf or hard of hearing, which means about 10 percent of Michigan's population, working with a certified sign language interpreter helps immensely in such situations. Fortunately, federal and state law, including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 and Michigan's Persons with Disabilities Act (PA 220, 1976), mandate that people with disabilities have a right to full and equal communication access and participation.
Paying for these certified sign language interpreters is the responsibility of the providing entity, whether it is a hospital system, a court system, our local police department or a bank or credit union.
However, finding a certified sign language interpreter can be another matter. Not only is there a shortage of interpreters, but, also, it is important to find one with the right experience, says Linda Booth, executive director of Farmington Hills, Michigan-based nonprofit Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Services, Inc.
"In addition to helping individual clients find a certified sign language interpreter, we do a lot informally in making sure that providers like a bank or hospital understand the advantages of following the law. It soothes the way to a better relationship and result," Booth explains.
The best fit. Booth adds that many people wonder why a deaf person who can read lips would still need someone trained and licensed as a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter.
"First, it is the law. Our client is entitled to full accommodation. Also, reading lips doesn't convey completely what is being said. Only about 40 percent of spoken English is made on the lips and many of those words appear similar," Booth explains.
Thus, many deaf or hard of hearing individuals who get by in daily life with the aid of lip reading and/or a family member who signs (but is not certified) need more precise aid in these special situations. Moreover, DHIS is skilled at finding the best match in a certified sign language interpreter, based on the age and history of the deaf or hard of hearing individual and the situation at hand.
For assistance in finding a certified sign language interpreter or to learn more about Michigan's deaf and hard of hearing community, please visit www.dhisonline.org.
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