I understand that there is a 24hr cancellation policy. What if it’s not our fault that our Deaf client cancelled and didn’t give us notice?
The interpreter’s time was reserved by your office and they commit to being there. When an appointment cancels with less than 24hr notice (weekends do not count), it is very difficult to get [...]
What are Connecting Workshops?
Communication by Hand offers Delia’s “Connecting Workshops”, which are Deaf Sensitivity Seminars including ADA compliance education. It’s a safe place for “hearies” to learn about Deaf culture [...]
I want to learn American Sign Language, where can I take classes?
ASL is a useful and rewarding 2nd language to learn. Here are some places to take classes: Austin Community College Austin Sign Language School – Deaf instructors are a plus! San Antonio [...]
What if the cost of the interpreter is more than what I am charging for the visit?
The Department of Justice (DOJ) considers all the resources of the business as a whole and usually treats the cost of interpreters as a cost of doing business and not an undue burden. In other [...]
Why should my medical or legal office provide a certified interpreter for a person who is Deaf or hard-of-hearing?
It may be necessary to use an interpreter to ensure both you and your client/patient have a clear means of communication and that nothing of importance gets misunderstood. Title III of the [...]
What is the proper term: Deaf or Hearing Impaired? I’ve heard both.
Your client is either Deaf or Hard of Hearing. The Deaf community has taught me that they hate the term “hearing impaired” because they feel you are telling them that there is something [...]
If a Deaf patient/client has a hearing child that signs pretty well, why can’t I just use them to interpret?
Think about it… would you have your minor child accompany you to an appointment and put them in the critical position of making sure you understand what’s going on? They are not certified [...]
My Deaf patient/client did not show up for their appointment. Can I bill them for the cost of the interpreter?
No, unfortunately, you cannot bill the Deaf patient for the interpreting services – that would be illegal. You can, however, set up a general cancellation policy in your office that applies to [...]
Why do interpreters charge a 2 hour minimum? I’m only seeing my client/patient for 15minutes.
Interpreters charge the 2hr minimum to cover an hour of their time with you and your client/patient and an hour for their travel time to and from assignments. The travel time helps them maintain [...]