"TERP(-sichorean) LINES" [inTERPreting sign and other languages]
S L I Q FOCUS CHANGED
SLIQ (sign language interpreter qualifications) committee -- a joint committee of the Colorado Association of the Deaf (CAD, the consumer group) and the Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CRID, the professional group) members have decided that,
instead of a sweeping legislative proposal regulating the registration, certification, and licensure of ALL sign language interpreters in Colorado, a slower and narrower approach is needed to begin with.
Upon the advice of State Representative Moe Keller who is sponsoring the Bill (State Senator Sally Hopper co-sponsors), the focus will be on public school sign language interpreters only.
The 6-page House Bill 1164, introduced 14 January 1997, is summarized thus:
"Creates an interpreter standards committee in the department of education for the purpose of making recommendations to the state board of education on the minimum standards for educational interpreters for the deaf in the public schools. Lists the items to be studied by the committee. Requires the committee to submit a final report to the state board of education on or before 31 December 1997. Repeals the committee on 1 July 1998.
"Directs the state board of education to promulgate rules setting minimum standards for persons employed by or in school districts as educational interpreters for the deaf.
"On or after 1 July 2000, requires any person employed as an interpreter for deaf students in the public schools on a full-time or part-time basis to meet the minimum standards for educational interpreters for the deaf as established by rules of the state board of education."
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R I D WELCOMES BACK ERRANT R S C MEMBERS
In a letter dated 31 January 1997, received 14 February 1997, Deb Prevost-Stebbins, national testing system coordinator for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Inc, writes that former RSC (reverse skills certificate -- for Deaf persons) holders are encouraged to re-join the RID and be re-certified.
"The board of directors and the Certification Council of RID have worked diligently to implement a policy to allow reinstatement of expired certificates", which policy required hearing interpreters to be "charged prior years dues and late fees". However, Deaf interpreters ... do not have to pay anything extra.
"Many [Deaf interpreters] served as evaluators under the old testing system for little or no compensation. This is our way of saying Thank You for the valuable contribution ... provided to the RID.
"... The demand for certified Deaf interpreters is increasing dramatically. By reinstating your RSC, you can demonstrate your long history of interpreting and also help to fill this need for certified Deaf interpreters.
The reinstatement process for RSCs is quite simple and very reasonable -- $100.00 for dues and fees for full RID membership, good until 30 June 1997.
For more details and information, contact Prevost-Stebbins,
301 608 0050, fax 301 608 0508, e-mail RIDNTS@aol.com ,
8630 Fenton Street, #324, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
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