How to certify sign language interpreters

Not every fluent signer is necessarily a good sign language interpreter. Interpreters need to be trained before they can interpret well enough to provide communication access for Deaf signers. So how do you know who is qualified to interpret and who is not? Many countries resolve this question by developing a process to certify good quality sign language interpreters. This article provides some guidance in how to certify sign language interpreters. It shares information about U.S. laws relevant to sign language interpreters. These include laws requiring that people should hire interpreters who are qualified to interpret. Reviewing U.S. laws might help people in other countries think about what laws their government should write.

The article also has advice for how Deaf leaders and other people can advocate for access to good quality interpreters. And it provides links to both U.S.-based interpreter resources and resources from other countries.

The website is accessible for people using screen reading software with minimal difficulty.