ADAAS Information on ASL Interpreters and Captioning Services

Captioning and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting help ensure effective communication and create a more inclusive experience for attendees. Providing these services is part of creating an accessible event and may also be required as an accommodation. Though both are part of an accessible event, neither are substitutes for the other.

Sign Language Interpreting

American Sign Language (ASL) is its own distinct language used by many North Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing. ASL interpreters should proactively be provided for large events and must be provided when requested as a reasonable accommodation.

During the event, ensure that interpreters remain visible to those who need them.

Interpreters

Interpreters local to the New River Valley area:

• Amanda Wharton Stacey (arw.stacey@gmail.com)
• Kay Seib (kay@swvainterpreter.com; kayseib@yahoo.com)
• Stacey Schroepfer (sschroepfer85@gmail.com)
• Bobbie Moulton (bobbiem@vt.edu; VT employee-contract as sporadic hire-evenings/weekends/semester breaks)
• Marcella Vaughan (marcy.vaughan@gmail.com)
• Christine Romp (cmromp@gmail.com)
• Dedi Spradlin (bilju@yahoo.com)
• Caroline Burrow (caroline.burrow@gmail.com)

Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’s Directory of Qualified Interpreters and Directory of Certified Interpreters

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, searchable database

Captioning

Captioning is required for both live and prerecorded video content and is recommended for all other events. During the event, ensure captions are visible to attendees and participants.

You can request live captioning for certain qualifying events and learn more about captioning through TLOS.  Virginia Tech, through the VHEAP Captioning Initiative, also has access to captioning vendors. 

Requesting Interpreting or Captioning Services

As a general guideline, a minimum of two interpreters is necessary for an event/session that is over 1.5 hours in length. The number of interpreters required for a specific event can be discussed with the contract interpreter when details of the event are supplied. Interpreters in our area tend to maintain busy schedules, therefore giving as much advance notice as possible will help ensure your ability to find an available interpreter for your event.

When contracting with interpreting or captioning services, the following information (as appropriate to the event) should be obtained from and given to the following people

From the person requesting an accommodation

What mode of communication is preferred:

• Interpreting/ASL
• Transliterating
• Cued Speech
• Oral Interpreting
• Tactile
• Captioning
• Are other services or assistive equipment needed?
• When will they be arriving to the event or first need a captioner or interpreter?
• Will the services be needed for the entire event? If not, specify times.
• If possible, a name and contact information for further directions or clarifications (e.g. if an interpreter was requested to help with registration, where the interpreter will meet them at) 

To the Interpreter or Captions Service Provider

• Agenda, schedule, and location
• Detailed description of the event, including formality and format
• Presentation slides, if applicable
• Speaker names
• Common acronyms and technical vocabulary expected to be used during the event
• Copies of scripts or prepared remarks, if available
• Event contact person(s)
• Billing information
• If requested as an accommodation, names and communication preference(s) of the participant