Interpreter Services & Training

Overview

The Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (effective July 7, 2009) define the term as follows:

“Interpreting Services” as used with respect to children who are deaf or hard of hearing, means services provided by personnel who meet the qualification set forth under 8VAC20-81-40 and includes oral transliteration services, cued speech/language transliteration services, sign language transliteration and interpreting services, and transcription services, such as communication access real-time (CART), C-Print, and TypeWell and interpreting services for children who are deaf-blind.  A child who is not deaf or hard of hearing, but who has language deficits, may receive interpreting services as directed by the child’s Individualized Education Program. (Regulations Governing Interpreter Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 22VAC 20-30; 34 CFR 300.34(c)(4)(i))

Resources

• Guidelines For Working With Students Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing In Virginia Public Schools (Word)
• Educational Interpreting Services (PDF)
• Foreign Language SOL and Framework for Instruction in American Sign Language in Virginia's Public Schools
• Frequently Asked Questions Regarding New Qualifications for Educational Interpreters In State Regulations (Word)
• Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia (PDF)
• Superintendents Memo #229-07: Approval of the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) Assessment as an Option of Demonstrating Proficiency in American Sign Language

Outside Resources

• C-Print
• Communication Access Real Time
• National Association of the Deaf – provides services and support for deaf individuals and their families. Includes local chapter links and articles.
• National Cued Speech Association – raises awareness of Cued Speech and its applications, provides educational services, assist local affiliate chapters, establishes standards for Cued Speech and certifies Cued Speech instructors and transliterators.
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
• TypeWell
• Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families and the professionals who serve them.  Contact information for qualified and certified interpreters in Virginia is listed on this site; information is available about the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS) assessment, administered by VDDHH.
• VA Relay – Virginia Relay enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech disabled to communicate by TTY or another assistive telephone device with anyone who uses a standard phone.
• Virginia Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf – the Virginia affiliate chapter of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.