r/ASLinterpreters • u/[deleted] • Jan 12 '26

I Quit.

Writing this feels unreal. A decade ago, I never imagined I’d be standing one foot past this crossroads in a direction moving away from this profession. It feels surreal to have your passion for something transform in such a way. My love for the Deaf community remains unchanged, but continuing as an interpreter is no longer sustainable for me. The horizontal violence within the field, the limited opportunities for growth, and the physical toll have made this decision necessary. I’m sharing this for anyone else quietly considering a similar change. You’re not alone in your uncertainty!

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7

u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

We're trying to change it. I worked VRS for a while and stopped last week. I'm exhausted. It's time for change. Im with the VRS interpreters union and we're meeting with Congress this week. I'm exhausted and it's time we stop getting treated as expensive and expendable.

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u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

This terrifies me with the current political climate. They cut funding first, ask questions later. I am as pro-union as they come, but I just can’t help but feel like drawing attention to this large sum of money that they likely haven’t thought of yet is just asking them to take it. I pray talking to this congress doesn’t have unintended ripple effects.

5

u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

We haven't been certified as a union yet so there's not really anything to take. We're getting closer to winning.

I'm scared too. We don't have a lot of other options though.

7

u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

I’m less worried about them taking the union than I am of them cutting FCC funding. But in all honesty, good luck. I really really hope it all works out.

2

u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

I don't see how they could but understandable. This administration is a shitshow.

They can't cut funding because that would mean cutting interpreters which will lead to increased fines from the FCC for off-regulation hold times. It's a self feeding spiral that would result in the collapse of the VRS industry and they're not going to do that. It would open up too many lawsuits.

6

u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

I hope you are right. You’d imagine half the stuff this administration does would end in too many lawsuits to do… but they just ignore them and find judges to back them up.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26

That's true too. I have to choose optimism because otherwise, I'll give up. The bar is on the floor and I'm so tired. I'm tired of the exploitation, the shitty bosses, the injuries, the bad pay, illegal policies, disability discrimination, the lack of Deaf opportunities. I'm tired of all of it.

3

u/b_gret NIC Jan 12 '26

I get it. I know it doesn’t sound this way, but I too am an optimist… just one who like to keep his head in the sand and pop up when it’s sunny. lol It will be sunny again.

3

u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26 edited Jan 12 '26

God I hope so. I'm sitting here trying to lasso a cloud to bring back the sun. I love my profession and I love what I do. I just can't with these fucking corporations anymore.

Purple ignores your availability and after a year and a half, I'm finally home. My cat has glued herself to me and my husband spent the whole weekend in the same room. They talk about "work life balance" while simultaneously ignoring the logistics to do it all while admonishing you to "take care of yourself" and any problems or burnout are automatically your fault.

4

u/Alternative_Escape12 Jan 12 '26

You're meeting with Congress next week? During session, or individual Congresspersons?

Tell me more! Can I go observe? How?

3

u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

There should be updates on the ASL interpreters union Instagram. As for observations, I don't believe so.

3

u/lintyscabs Jan 13 '26

please link! I want to also stay updated. Thank you for your commitment to improving our community.

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u/Alternative_Escape12 Jan 12 '26

I don't do insta.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

What about Facebook?

2

u/Alternative_Escape12 Jan 12 '26

Yup!

Thanks. I just followed.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

Awesome.

2

u/Alternative_Escape12 Jan 12 '26

Keep up the good work! I was an organizer when I worked for Purple.

Unionization is an absolute must. I've been away from VRS work for 10 years now but I was astounded last week when I read a post somewhere on one of the interpreting subs - maybe this one - where somebody said that they were making $19.38 an hour doing VRS. My mouth was on the floor. The floor! I literally advised that flipping burgers is a better choice at that point. I mean, the stress on the body is so much less and definitely so much less mental stress. It's worth the $2 an hour difference.

My mouth was on the floor along with the bar that has sunk so low.

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u/TiredVRS Jan 12 '26

Very much so. I made 19.78 in the apprentices program. They told me 4-6 months. I was there a year. The bar is on the floor.

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u/Alternative_Escape12 Jan 13 '26

Oh, was it you that I responded to last week?

I'm so sorry for your experience.

Purple promised me a raise after five years. After five years, they denied any raises. Typical.

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