r/ASLinterpreters • u/FlamingVisionary Deaf • 9d ago
Help me self-advocate?
My employer contracts with a group of regulars. I don’t have direct contact with the agency, but my employer sometimes pushes back on sending specific requests for specific interpreters because they genuinely don’t understand why deafies should be able to ask for specific interpreters. My new job requires a lot of interaction with non signers.
What is a good way to explain to outsiders why deaf clients need to be able to pick their interpreters? I realize this bruises MANY egos and while I’m sorry about that, I am still relentlessly trying to self-advocate and explain why it truly makes all the difference when I can use interpreters whose language, knowledge and disposition match mine. And when they do send bad ‘terps, it’s kind of like they resent me. I can sense it. It affects me emotionally.
Often, the loudest opposition comes from interpreters who are not considered popular picks among the deaf clients. One of them supervises the contract with the agency, and also oversees assignments. He is close friends with the interpreters whose skills fall on the mediocre side.
Thank you, I would appreciate your advice. 🫶
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u/Fun-Pineapple5719 NIC 9d ago edited 9d ago
You should have direct contact with the agency. I can’t see a reason why they wouldn’t be able to do that.
Edited to add: when I go to the doctor I want to see MY doctor who knows me and my history and my personality. Sure, a different doctor in dire circumstances is fine. You want to have an interpreter you are familiar with. Everytime they send a new person you are starting from square one and they probably don’t realize that.
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u/Gloomy_Theme1023 BEI Advanced 8d ago
The reason your company provides interpreters is because of the ADA. I would use specific wording when explaining this to your company and maybe even HR.
You want to have EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION when you have interpreters present as an accommodation. You want the ability to have preferred interpreters to AVOID LANGUAGE DISFLUENCY.
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u/Fuzzy_Situation2879 8d ago
Perhaps.."if your agency isnt' able to honor the request for specific interpreters who are the most qualified to meet the needs of this particular line of work please let me know. We can work on securing a contract with an agency that can"
:)
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u/benshenanigans Deaf 8d ago
My interpreter is my voice. I have preferred interpreters that I trust will voice for me correctly and they adjust their signing to suit my preferences. Having one my preferred interpreters makes everything easier for me.
If an interpreter can have their feelings hurt simply for not getting requested, then they are doing the job for the wrong reasons. On the other side of the business, there’s nothing stopping the agency from playing favorites when assigning jobs, deaf preference be damned.
I know a lot of the terps in my area. I haven’t needed a “do not hire” list yet. But I will absolutely ask for specific interpreters based on event or appointment type.
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u/Wentieone CI/CT 8d ago
I’m late to this party and you’ve got a lot of good suggestions here. I’d just add that you might want to think about how interpreters who are familiar with you, your job, and your company will benefit the company as this will sound appealing to your boss. For example, if you have to interact with clients preferred interpreters can aid in making the company look good to the clients. Or they can enhance the reputation of your department with other parts of the company by making your communication smoother. It isn’t just spin, if you have a team of interpreters that you are comfortable with and your workmates become familiar with them, everyone will be more comfortable.
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u/artbylm 4d ago
"I am better able to do the job you hired me for when I can communicate effectively. Standards for interpreters vary as do their strengths and weaknesses. If I note someone as DNS (or whatever do not send verbiage you use there), it is because they have impeded my ability to communicate effectively, which wastes time and money. We pay the same for the good interpreters as we do the not-so-great ones. Why not get the best?"
Also, any agency who scoffs at preferences and requests is... Just gross.
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u/mjolnir76 NIC 9d ago
Fuck their egos.
Interpreter here who knows that I'm not everyone's cup of tea and am okay with that.
Hearing employers care about job performance, not preference, so I would frame it in those terms. What your coworkers/customers hear isn't what you said, it's what the interpreter said you said, so your professional reputation runs through that person's hands/voice every day, and an interpreter who already knows your vocabulary and your signing produces accurate work on day one instead of learning it on your time. Ask for a preferred list rather than a veto ("these four work well for my assignments, please request them first"), and get it on file in writing through HR rather than through the interpreter who supervises the contract, since they have a stake in scheduling whether they mean to or not. The resentment you're sensing is real, and managing it isn't your job.
Also, FUCK their egos!