"The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) uphold high standards of professionalism and ethical conduct for interpreters. Embodied in the Code of Professional Conduct (formerly known as the Code of Ethics) are seven tenets setting forth guiding principles...
The tenets of the Code of Professional Conduct are to be viewed holistically and as a guide to professional behavior. The code provides assistance in complying with the code. The guiding principles offer the basis upon which the tenets are articulated...
When in doubt, one should refer to the explicit language of the tenet. If further clarification is needed, questions may be directed to the national office of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc.
TENETS
- Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
- Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
- Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
- Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
- Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
- Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
- Interpreters engage in professional development.
I am new to ASL&CD and new to learning ASL, am not Deaf, and appreciate this Care2 site to the MAX! Thank you for all of the Great Good Work that you do here in this splendid community. IAMLEARNIN' ...
Sapan Rinpoche - Lone Hawk Watcher
This is interesting...in a court setting, what would you say the interpreter will have to be certified to work in such a setting due to being open to possible lawsuits for not being a professional enough an interpreter and what about the possibility of suing a "closed captioning" resource for violating your rights as a deaf person requesting an INTERPRETER not an alternative resource?
I am thinking...and asking questions.
Thank you
Mustang, as far as I know, the interpreter is normally sworn in to court settings.. You know, " I promise to tell the truth...." In regards to the interpreter not being certified, to my knowledge, only certified interpreters are allowed to work in a court setting. I don't believe they will hire anyone who is not certified. Also, it would really be up to the interpreter to follow the RID COE's tenet number two: Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
Does that answer your question? Did I misunderstand? Good question....Keep them coming!
Requirments for interpreters vary by state. For instance, in Maryland, where I live a facility must provide the deaf client with an "acceptable" means of communication. Therefore, a person who is fluent in sign but not certified is acceptable. My husband, who is a CODA, is an independent contractor to an interpreting agency. Although he is not certified, he is one of the most requested interpreters at the agency. Our friends (Deaf) describe him as Deaf in a hearing body. I am also not certified, however, I am the staff interpreter at the medical facility where I work. I am in the process of becoming certified. I will sit for my NIC exam very soon. For myself, I would prefer to be certified simply because it is required in many areas. Unfortunately, too many times a nonqualified person will be assigned to interpret for someone and is more of a hinderance than a help. Or... they want to act as an avocate or become parental to the Deaf individual. It is the right of the Deaf individual to ask for someone else. Interpreters are just a tool and can be replaced. I don't mean to sound harsh, but some of my closest friends are deaf and the only difference between me and them is that I can hear.
