Over 700 million people will have some degree of hearing loss by 2050.
Each company should offer services for those who suffer from hearing loss so that they feel included during live events.
What are the Best Nationwide ASL Video Remote Interpreting Services of 2023?
ASL interpreters can benefit attendees during:
- Business conferences & events
- Political campaigns
- Concerts
- Broadway plays
- Courtroom appearances & trials
There are many places where you can find quality ASL interpreters for your needs. You can look at freelance platforms and ASL interpreting agencies to get started.
Always make sure that you only work with an ASL interpreter who is:
- Native English speaker
- Fluent in ASL
- Professionally certified
- Has at least 5 years of experience interpreting
- Has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher
What Are the Benefits of ASL Video Remote Interpreting?
The benefits of ASL video remote interpreting start with convenience.
Since the interpreter doesn’t have to travel to your location, you won’t have to schedule a time that works for your client yourself and the interpreter. All you need to do is create a three-way video call through an application such as Zoom, or Skype.
Another benefit is cost. Travel expenses can add up if an interpreter is out of state and needs to take an airplane to one of your events. You can completely eliminate these expenses if the interpreter connects directly through video.
The last benefit is the brand image. People are becoming more and more socially conscious each year. Companies and brands have been making efforts in order to make everyone feel included.
Deaf or limited-hearing people may feel overlooked at times, and if your brand shows that you care about them, people will remember and tell their friends and family how much they appreciate what you do. This can create a ripple effect and spread positive reviews about your company through word of mouth, social media, and so on.
Where Can I Find an ASL Interpreter?
The best places to find an ASL interpreter are through freelance websites and interpretation companies.
Both have their pros and cons and choosing which route to take depends on your budget and time. Freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork charge service fees as high as 20%. These fees can add up quickly if you are working with an ASL interpreter that is already expensive.
On the other hand, you can find interpretation services as cheap as $5 on these sites, but that also comes with a cost. Since pretty much anyone can sign up and join Upwork and Fiverr, there are many workers who exaggerate their language level and could be lying about their credentials.
It could be a disaster for your brand if you hired an interpreter that left your clients confused or even offended. In order to avoid this, you should always vet your interpreter before hiring them.
The good thing about working with an interpretation company is that most of them have a vetting process that the interpreter must pass in order to be approved to work for the company.
For example, The Language Doctors require each interpreter to pass a language proficiency test to prove their fluency in each language they plan on interpreting to and from.
What are the Best Video Remote Interpreting Apps Of 2020?
1. Skype
Skype is a free app that makes it easy to connect with other users. The drawback is dropped calls and poor data compression which lead to lags and frozen videos.
2. Facetime
If you are just having a short conversation and need an ASL interpreter, Facetime is a great option. It is a simple app that does the job but lacks certain features of other apps. For example, if you want to record a meeting or web conference, you wouldn’t be able to do it through facetime.
3. Zoom
Zoom has many features that Skype, and Facetime lack. You are able to switch to one-on-one meetings easily with breakrooms and can even record interpreting sessions which can be useful for business webinars.
4. The Language Doctors Platform
Working directly with the Language Doctors platform is great for safety and security. You won’t have to worry about data leaks or security issues such as strangers listening in on calls.
How to Get an ASL Video Remote Interpreting Job
1. Achieve Fluency
The first step to getting an ASL video remote interpreting job is to become fluent in American Sign Language. Many schools offer associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees which will help you get your foot in the door and stand out amongst other applicants.
2. Get Certified
Each state has different regulations when it comes to certifications. Make sure you fit the requirements to work in your state of residence or wherever you plan on working in the future. The National Interpreter Certification (NIC) is the gold standard for interpreters across the U.S.
3. Gain Experience
There are many internship programs you can apply for or volunteer opportunities where you can work directly with deaf or limited-hearing persons. You can also tutor deaf or limited-hearing students in your free time to gain experience.
4. Work on Soft Skills
ASL interpretation requires many soft skills that are often overlooked. Effective interpreters are great listeners and have a great understanding of different cultures. It’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of psychology and different personalities since you will be communicating with different people daily.
Conclusion
As you can see, including ASL interpretation services during your company’s events can have a lasting impact on your clients.
Always make sure to vet your interpreter before hiring them. You should only work with ASL interpreters who are native English speakers, are fluent in ASL, have at least 5 years of experience, and are certified.
If you have any questions regarding the topic of this article, please leave us a comment below. We will answer you ASAP.
P.S. If you found this information helpful, feel free to share it with a friend or on one of your social media channels.
