Eighteen students from Land O’Lakes (Fla.) High School plan to attend a rally today on the Capitol steps in Tallahassee and visit area lawmakers to discuss issues of importance to the deaf. Specifically, they want lawmakers to pass House Bill 991 and Senate Bill 926, which require sign language interpreters to be licensed. “We thought it would be a great idea for the people to, rather than see numbers on a report, see the people who it affects,” said Lisa Schaefermeyer, the school’s lead interpreter and president of the Florida Registry for Interpreters for the Deaf. The students were looking forward to making their case. “We need certified interpreters,” said Jessica Marrero, 15. “It’s our life.” source
STUDENTS TO PRESS LAWMAKERS ON INTERPRETING NEEDS
March 21, 2007 by tomwillard
I recently read vlog about interpreter agencies. Interpreter agency cost average $66 to $280 with 2 hours minimum. That’s too expensive. Does State can afford? Best way for all Deaf kids go to School for the Deaf. Deaf teachers are useful ASL make all kids get understand.
Thanks
All of us Deaf know how hard it is to get an interpreter, today. What do you think will happen when there is a Bill demanding that all be licensed?????? The tests are very expensive and many interpreters do not have the fumds to pay for them. Plus, there reare any people who are codas who are excellent signers they will also be required to have a license. I have spoken with many interpreters and if this is pushed into a Bill we will loose many excellent interperters and for what, a piece of paper that says they know how to sign but can not afford to pay the huge cost for these tests. THEY KNOW HOW TO SIGN!!!
Take some responsibility on yourself to say, if you get a bad interpreter, that you will not accept their services again.
Remember these few hearing people who took an interest in our need for interpreters and leanred our language so that we would be able to join the hearing world?? These are the same people that you are probably going to cost them their jobs. Wake up my fellowDeaf and stop crying so much. Be happy that we have interpreters because without them where would we be??????????