INDUSTRY

What do Interpreters do?

Action On Hearing Loss estimate that by 2035 there will be around 15.6 million people with hearing loss across the UK - that's one in five. Surveys indicate that there are roughly 11 million people who use British Sign Language (BSL) as their main language. In April 2018 there were 177 BSL Interpreters in the West Midlands registered with the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind people (NRCPD), the regulatory body for visual language professionals.

Interpreters are fluent in BSL and also have knowledge of both D/deaf and Hearing culture. They facilitate communication and can also advise you on how to make the service you provide more accessible for D/deaf people. Interpreters work across all sectors of society. Many specialise in a particular area. For more general information about D/deaf people and culture click here.

What are the benefits of using Interpreters?

D/deaf people can, for a number of reasons, experience barriers to employment as well as accessing events and public services.   However, D/deaf employees can significantly develop the richness, diversity and creativity of your work force.

Using BSL Interpreters can help businesses and services fulfil legal requirements for making ‘reasonable adjustments’ under the The Equality Act 2010, improve access to education, health, legal, social services and reducing the effects of social isolation on a minority group.

Do I need to pay for an Interpreter?

Not necessarily. Employers can access the governments Access To Work Scheme (ATW).  Access To Work provides funding for any access requirements D/deaf people have in their place of work, which means you don’t have to pay. This includes BSL interpreters.

If you are providing an event or a service and not employing a D/deaf person, in most circumstances you will have to pay for an Interpreter. I follow the recommended fee structure for BSL Interpreters as set out by the National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI).

On occasion I will offer pro bono or discounted rates for charities and other organisations on a limited budget. Please contact me to discuss.