Sign Language Interpreting: Websites & Organizations

"Our mission is to promote educational opportunities, protecting and enhancing the rights and privileges of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind citizens to preserve their social and economic security. Since the establishment of the Community Centers for the Deaf, the Ohio Association of the Deaf has continued efforts to improve communication and assist with the deaf resources to meet the needs of Ohio's deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind citizens. Representatives of OAD continue to participate in many capacities with various organizations, such as: Early Infant Screening Committee; Ohio State University Medical Center; the Ohio Department of Health; the Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles; the Supreme Court of Ohio, and Telecommunications Relay Services."

"The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation's premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more – improving the lives of millions of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The NAD also carries out its federal advocacy work through coalition efforts with specialized national deaf and hard of hearing organizations, as well as coalitions representing national cross-disability organizations. On the international front, the NAD represents the United States of America to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), an international human rights organization. The NAD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of individual and organizational donors, including corporations and foundations."

"ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 166,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language, and hearing scientists, audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel, and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders."

"The mission of the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers is to connect and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to create excellence in interpreting.The National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers aims to expand and enhance the effectiveness of the interpreting workforce through education and professional development services and resources offered regionally and nationally. Five Regional Interpreter Education Centers offer training and technical assistance to regional stakeholders including curricular resources for interpreting education programs, educational opportunities for interpreters at all levels of experience, consumer self-advocacy training, and new interpreter recruitment. The National Interpreter Education Center serves to coordinate cross-center collaborative activities, dissemination, communication, and knowledge transfer; evaluates the effectiveness of Centers’ educational offerings; and provides educational opportunities, resources, and technical assistance to enhance teaching practices across the U.S."

"The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID), a national membership organization, plays a leading role in advocating for excellence in the delivery of interpretation and transliteration services between people who use sign language and people who use spoken language. In collaboration with the Deaf community, RID supports its members and encourages the growth of the profession through the establishment of a national standard for qualified sign language interpreters and transliterators, ongoing professional development and adherence to a code of professional conduct. RID’s function is to support its membership by providing the foundation needed to launch and sustain careers while ensuring quality service to the Deaf community. RID does this through a four-pronged approach: Education; Standards; Relationships; and Resources."