Resources

Resources for Kama'ainas

Whether you are a business working with a deaf consumer for the first time, a deaf individual looking for local assistance, or a community member looking for a sign language class, chances are you will find it here.

Business Resources

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Title III prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by all places of public accommodations. According to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), places of public accommodation may need to provide a qualified sign language interpreter to ensure effective communication between deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind people and hearing people. In 2011, video remote interpreting was recognized by the Department of Justice as an acceptable means of providing a qualified interpreter.

Here is a link to lessons developed by the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division on "Reaching Out to Customers with Disabilities." It provides some practical guidance for businesses on communicating with customers or patients who have disabilities in lesson 2.

Information for hospitals and the ADA

For additional information regarding the ADA and how it may apply to you, please visit the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division website www.ada.gov or contact the ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301.

Tax Incentives for Businesses & Healthcare Provider

Congress has arranged two types of tax incentive for businesses to assist in offsetting the costs of providing access as mandated by the ADA. Section 44 of the IRS Code allows a tax credit for small businesses and Section 190 of the IRS Code allows a tax deduction for all businesses.

The tax credit is available for businesses with annual revenues of $1,000,000 or less 30 of fewer full-time employees. The tax credit is for 50% of expenditures for providing access in a given year up to $10,250, which equates to a maximum tax credit of $5,000. This includes the cost of providing sign language interpreting services for customers.

The tax deduction is available to all businesses with a maximum deduction of $15,000 annually.

The following website provides more information on these tax incentives: http://www.ada.gov/reachingout/lesson81.htm. Otherwise you can contact the Department of Justice's ADA Information line at 1-800-514-0301.

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Helpful Tips for Working with Sign Language Interpreters and Captioner

Speak directly to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind individual

Address the person directly (e.g. "How are you today?") rather than directing comments to the interpreter/captioner (e.g. "Tell him..." or "Ask her...")
The interpreter/captioner will interpret in the first person for the deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind individual (e.g. "I was wondering if you could help me.")
If the interpreter/captioner is speaking as the interpreter, they will say something like, "The interpreter couldn't hear the question, could you please repeat it?"
Maintain eye contact with the deaf individual even though they will be looking at the interpreter/captioner

Speak naturally and at a normal pace

To provide an accurate interpretation, interpreters are listening for concepts, ideas, affect, and intent, not just words
Interpreters/captioners will ask you to slow down or repeat information if/when necessary
Please ask that only one person speaks at a time

Please provide the interpreter/captioner with:

Agendas, outlines, handouts, or summaries
Information on unique vocabulary such as acronyms and/or technical terms
Seating arrangements that provide the deaf client with a line of sight to the speaker and any presentation material that will be used while ensuring foot traffic in front of the interpreter is kept to a minimum
Sufficient lighting for the interpreter to be seen

Interpreting and captioning is physically and cognitively demanding

Assignments of an hour or more in length that are technical in nature, continuous, or emotionally intense may require a team of interpreters. For more information about Team Interpreting see RID.org's Standard Practice Paper on Team Interpreting

Interpreters/captioners follow a strict Code of Professional Conduct

Interpreters/captioners are to remain impartial and keep all assignment related information confidential
Avoid asking the interpreter/captioner for opinions or information about the Deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind individual.
Do not ask the interpreter/captioner to censor any portion of the conversation