Message from ISLE Interpret Re: COVID-19

Amid growing concerns about the potential spread of COVID-10 virus, Isle Interpret is diligently working to minimize the impact of the pandemic on our daily operations and communication access services throughout Hawai'i. ISLE is committed to supporting our communities by ensuring the communication access is a priority even during these uncertain times while working to keep all customers, independent contractors, and employees safe. With the uncertainty of how severely Hawai'i will be impacted, we are monitoring the situation and have a contingency plan in place to adjust face to face services to remote services as needed and appropriate. We are monitoring local, national, and global news to plan best how to serve you while keeping us all safe.

We are in communication with requesters, interpreters, CARTs, and CANs and are happy to report with confidence that currently we are still very able to provide onsite services for all requesters and deaf clients who still require such services. Interpreters are preparing to be able to provide remote services if/when remote services are needed. We are confident that we will continue to be able to serve Hawaii’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing community with local providers rather than having to resort to using mainland VRI companies. Information on remote services has been sent out to requesters and is also available on our website.  

Due to public health and safety concerns, we anticipate that some assignments may be canceled or postponed. ISLE will offer VRI, remote CART, and remote CAN services when appropriate. When there are schedule changes due to the public safety circumstances, ISLE will not bill a requester for a late cancellation/date change that is a result of health and safety concerns.  we are asking that the typical cancellation terms be waived by interpreters, CARTs, and CANs.  We understand these anticipated cancellations will likely impact communication access providers' earning ability and are trying to prepare service providers for these possibilities during these unique times.

ISLE expects to continue to be able to provide communication access services through this uncertain time. We do not have a large scheduling staff, but our staff work remotely which complies with social distancing precautions to keep them safe from COVID-19. Our staff also are experienced at rotating responsibility for processing emergency requests during and outside of business hours. We are confident our ability to be available 24/7 will continue to support the communication access needs of Hawai'i. We have a sizable registry of actively working communication access providers both in Hawai'i and elsewhere who we are confident will be able to cover the services needed during this crisis even if some of them are quarantined and unable to work.

All ISLE employees, interpreters, CARTs, and CANs are being encouraged to follow the CDC’s tips for preventing the transmission and spread of COVID-19 to keep themselves and their loved ones safe and healthy. Here is a brief video ISLE created and is sharing Keeping Yourself Safe from COVID-19. We are also sharing a brief summary of tips for communication access providers and have included an excellent video in ASL that provides CDC and WHO information regarding COVID-19 created by a partner agency, ASL Services. 

• Follow best practices for the flu season. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently (for at least 20 seconds), especially after using the restroom, before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. It is also recommended to wash your hands before/after all assignments.
• Carry hand sanitizers that are at least 60% alcohol (and possibly disinfecting hand wipes) to keep your hands clean when hand washing is not available.
• When greeting a person you might normally hug, it is recommended to find alternative ways to greet one another. It is important to share information about the reason for adjusting your greeting as a health precaution for them and you. 
• Do not touch your face, eyes, nose mouth. This is hard to avoid while interpreting making cleaning our hands even more imperative.
• At home and in your car, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, light switches, steering wheel, smartphones, keyboard, remotes, pens, etc.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  
• At all appointments, avoid physical contact with others. 
• When working in medical settings, observe social distancing recommendations and stay at least 6 feet away from others.  If the doctors or nurses attending a patient are wearing protective gear (face masks, gloves, etc.), ask medical staff for protective gear prior to entering the area. 
• ISLE is exploring the use of remote service when it appropriate.
• If an interpreter, CART, or CAN is not feeling well, please stay home. Text ISLE at (808) 445-9125 to request a substitute. We want everyone safe and well.

We are also encouraging staff, interpreters, CARTs, and CANs to have disaster/crisis emergency kits prepared and readily available.  ISLE will continue to monitor the status of updates regarding COVID-19. And we encourage others to regularly check the websites of the Center for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the Hawaii State Department of Health for important updates and safety information.

We will keep all customers, independent contractors, employees, and community members updated on the status of services and when normal business activity can be resumed through email, text message, ISLE’s website, and social media platforms. Mahalo for your continued support and understanding as we collaboratively and diligently work to keep us all safe while doing our best to continue to provide communication access services to Hawaii's Deaf Community.

Me ke aloha pumehana,

Tamar & Susan
ISLE Management