Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

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4.8.1 The impact of the absence of accreditationIn the absence of accreditation, and given the difficult supply situation particularlyoutside Dublin, registered trainees (those who have completed the Trinity coursebut who have not been through an accreditation process) are under pressure towork in situations where their skills are not appropriate; this is seen as both a healthand safety issue and an ethical issue. For Deaf people, it means that they are lesscertain that their needs will be met in any given interpreting situation. At anotherlevel, the absence of accreditation has meant that skilled and experienced registeredtrainee interpreters cannot move on to the fee rates that apply to registered qualifiedinterpreters, thus creating financial disincentives to stay in this field.4.8.2 What is neededThere is strong consensus that an accreditation process, linked to registration andregulation, is urgent, and that the process must keep up with the output from theCentre for Deaf Studies training programme.There is an equally strong consensus that accreditation for individual interpretersshould not be a 'once in a lifetime' event. Interpreters need to be re-accreditedfrom time to time, particularly if they have left the field for periods of time, assome do; a system of regular monitoring and supervision is also an essential partof a regulatory process.There was also a view that Irish Sign Language teachers should be accredited aswell as interpreters.The accreditation for specialist skills such as legal interpreting has not begun to bediscussed, in the absence of the base level of accreditation.4.8.3 How should the accreditation system be developed and managedThe actual process of accreditation must be credible, objective, transparent andconfidential. The process may not be a 'one event' process; those applying foraccreditation should have clear advance information about the process that will beused, the standards that will be applied, and the expectations/views of theassessors about appropriate forms of interpreting. Practical competency testing ofinterpreters was seen as essential; accreditation of a training programme is notsufficient. However, the level of achievement in the final examination could beassigned a specific value, as one part of the accreditation process.Concerns were raised about the appropriateness of having interpreters assessedby colleagues in the field, and the difficulty of securing independence andobjectivity in a situation where there is such a small pool of interpreters whowould all be known to each other.There was a diverse range of views as to the form that the accreditation processshould take, and how it should be operated and managed. Some contributors sawmerit in adopting the UK accreditation system, while others felt quite strongly thatan Irish system is needed, with Irish standards. A third view was that a partnershipbetween the UK accreditation process and the appropriate Irish authority in thismatter would be effective, allowing Ireland to take advantage of systems andprocesses that have been developed in the UK, but also applying these in the Irishpage 74 • Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland
context, and with Irish Sign Language as the core. Striking the balance betweenindependence of the process and knowledge of Irish Sign Language among theassessors was seen as a challenge. Training for assessors will be essential. Therewas also a view that Deaf people and the profession itself should play a part in theaccreditation process.Investment in accreditation was seen as essential and progress needed urgently.4.9 THEME 7:PLANNED INVESTMENT IN TECHNOLOGY COULDSIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE SLI SERVICES, BUT SHOULDNOT BE SEEN AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THEDEVELOPMENT OF FACE-TO-FACE SLI SERVICESThere was consensus among contributors that technology such as videophone,videoconferencing, text (SMS) / speed text and email can contribute a great dealto interpreting.4.9.1 The potentialVideophone technology in particular should help to improve access for people inrural areas and areas of low population. It should improve possibilities for 24-houraccess, and access to sign language interpreters at short notice and for shortperiods. In general, use of videophone and videoconferencing would allow betterand more flexible use of the existing stock of sign language interpreters.It was suggested that videophones should be made widely available in accidentand emergency departments, Garda stations, public offices and any area whereunplanned and unplannable communication with Deaf people should be providedfor. An improved relay service would allow Deaf people to communicate directly,and would be cost effective.4.9.2 The caveatsMany contributors stressed that, in spite of the potential of technology, it shouldnot be seen as a full solution or an alternative to face-to-face interpreting.In terms of impact on demand for face-to-face interpreting, most felt that theadvent of technology will lead to greater awareness and increased demand,although one view was that effective use of technology would mean that thecurrent numbers of interpreters could be sufficient to meet need.Contributors stressed that technology must be piloted and tested in the Irishcontext, in order to develop a clear picture of where it can be most useful andhow best to take advantage of its potential.There was also a very strong and widely held view that videophone technology isnot appropriate in all interpreting situations and should not be imposed as asolution, based on cost or relatively easy availability. People stressed too that thehighest level of interpreting skill is needed when a videophone is being used.Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland • page 75
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RESEARCH SERIESSEPTEMBER 2006Review
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4.8 Theme 6: Accreditation and a fo
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PrefaceAs proposed in the Outline S
Page 10 and 11:
Key players involved in SLI service
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Interpreter staffing and skillsIt i
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INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICEThe rese
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appears to be growing in popularity
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• Personalised service - A person
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• The establishment of a new enti
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• Further development of the Iris
Page 24 and 25: • Estimated cost in year 1 is €
Page 26 and 27: 1.3 REVIEW OBJECTIVES and SCOPE1.3.
Page 28 and 29: 2 Review Methodology2.1 APPROACHFig
Page 30 and 31: Interviews and discussions• Inter
Page 32 and 33: 3 Overview of CurrentSign LanguageI
Page 34 and 35: Table 3.1. Persons aged 15 to 64, w
Page 36 and 37: 3.2 POLICY AND LEGISLATION3.2.1 Int
Page 38 and 39: Sustaining Progress, Social Partner
Page 40 and 41: According to the Education Act 1998
Page 42 and 43: 3.4 KEY PLAYERS INVOLVED IN SLI SER
Page 44 and 45: upholding the status of Irish Sign
Page 46 and 47: 3. A Deaf user or service provider
Page 48 and 49: 3.5.3 Main reasons for accessing se
Page 50 and 51: InternetThe internet and email have
Page 52 and 53: As shown in the table above, there
Page 54 and 55: Figure 3.10. Total number of interp
Page 56 and 57: The first cohort of students on the
Page 58 and 59: Looking at the summary financial an
Page 60 and 61: 3.7.2 Overall client spend on sign
Page 62 and 63: The public sector service providers
Page 64 and 65: 4.3 THEME 1:THE NEED FOR SIGN LANGU
Page 66 and 67: subject for both Deaf and hearing s
Page 68 and 69: 4.5 THEME 3:ACCESS TO SLI SERVICES
Page 70 and 71: 4.6 THEME 4:THE QUALITY OF SLI AND
Page 72 and 73: primary client of the interpreter.
Page 76 and 77: 4.9.3 What is neededFunding is need
Page 78 and 79: 4.10.3 A quality service on the gro
Page 80 and 81: Table 5.1. Key statistics on SLI se
Page 82 and 83: The research has considered mainstr
Page 84 and 85: Summary• Other than where the par
Page 86 and 87: 5.2.1 Linguistic approachIn all of
Page 88 and 89: Interpreting services are also prov
Page 90 and 91: 5.3.1 Population distributionMost o
Page 92 and 93: 5.3.3 Responsibility for booking in
Page 94 and 95: 5.3.4 Sign language interpretersSal
Page 96 and 97: The use of videophones and webcams
Page 98 and 99: • It provides a flexible solution
Page 100 and 101: 5.5 QUALITY OF SLI SERVICES DEFINED
Page 102 and 103: 5.5.2 Interpreter training courses
Page 104 and 105: Pressure for the registration and r
Page 106 and 107: Proposal (which has been agreed wit
Page 108 and 109: • In most of the countries includ
Page 110 and 111: Table 5.6. Overview of key strength
Page 112 and 113: 6 Summary ofKey Findings6.1 INTRODU
Page 114 and 115: 6.3 KEY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN TH
Page 116 and 117: 7 Recommended FutureModel for Deliv
Page 118 and 119: 7.2 RECOMMENDED FUTURE SLI SERVICE
Page 120 and 121: Table 7.2. Key areas for improvemen
Page 122 and 123: 7.3.2 Comhairle - oversight of SLI
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There are substantial risks associa
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Requirements:• Excellent project
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7.3.9 ComplaintsThe Irish Sign Lang
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number of Deaf clubs. The videophon
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7.6 OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS TO SUPPOR
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Accreditation should be linked to t
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videophone technology, piloted in t
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It is assumed that the rollout of t
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Appendix 1: Bibliographyand Referen
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www.bris.ac.uk/deaf - Bristol Centr
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SASLISLAISLISLIANZSMSTCDVCOThe Scot
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