Professional Information

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID)

8630 Fenton Street, Suite 324

Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

301/608-0050 V/TTY

RID has worked diligently to provide the "three Q's of interpreting: Quantity, Qualifications and Quality," namely, the RID Triad. RID's Triad is composed of:

Training for new and professional Interpreters through the Professional Development Committee (PDC), and the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) and

Continued certification through RID's National Testing System (NTS),

Self-regulation through a national Ethical Practices System (EPS).

In addition to originating and administering the National Testing System that certifies interpreters, RID also provides various support services to practicing interpreters, students of interpretation, and persons who share an active interest in the field of interpretation. Information on speakers, workshops, and classes are offered for the following: the American with Disabilities Act, the interpreting profession, Interpreter Preparation Programs, National Testing and Certification, Certification Maintenance Program for professional development, national Ethical Practices System, Testimony/Technical Assistance, Interpreter Referral Services, career opportunities, mentoring, internships, and scholarships to cover testing fees.

Philosophy Statement

The philosophy of RID is that excellence in the delivery of interpretation and transliteration services among people who are Deaf, or Hard of Hearing, and people who are hearing, will ensure effective communication. As the professional association for interpreters and transliterators, the RID serves as an essential arena for its members in their pursuit of excellence.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. to provide international, national, regional, state, and local forums and an organizational structure for the continued growth and development of the professions of interpretation and transliteration of American Sign Language and English.

Goal Statement

It is the goal of RID to promote the profession of interpreting and transliterating American Sign Language and English. (copyright 1997, 1998 the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)

Harper College is a National Testing Site for both the written and performance tests offered through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.

Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT)

The mission of the CIT is to promote quality education for interpreters working with American Sign Language and English (including English-influenced forms of signing). As a professional association of interpreter educators, the CIT

provides opportunities for the professional development of interpreter educators;

serves as a vehicle for sharing information among interpreter educators;

promotes high standards in institutions, faculties, programs and curricula for the education of interpreters;

advocates for research relevant to the practice and instruction of interpretation; and

encourages collegial relationships with professionals in other related disciplines and organizations.

Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (IRID)

P.O. Box 4339

Chicago, IL 60680-4339

IRID is a member driven organization for sign language interpreters in Illinois. IRID

provides networking opportunities for interpreters.

provides workshops for skill and professional development.

provides a scholarship program for interpreters seeking national certification. provides a quarterly newsletter of information, inspiration and ideas for IRID members. creates an awareness of the need for and the availability of interpreting services.

provides organizational representation for IRID members on various advisory committees important to the field of interpreting. cooperates with the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. in the observance of standards of skill and ethics. acts as a body to advance professional and ethical standards for all interpreters.

provides a resource for any member with a question, problem, or needing advice on any matter related to the practice of interpreting.

acts as a sponsor for RID Certificate Maintenance Program and Associate Continuing Education Tracking administration to provide continuing educational opportunities for interpreters.

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

Founded in 1880, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the oldest and largest organization representing people with disabilities in the United States. The NAD safeguards the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in a variety of areas including education, employment, health care and social services, and telecommunications.

A private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the NAD is a dynamic federation of 51 state association affiliates, sponsoring and organizational affiliates, and direct members.

Programs and activities include grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, certification of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies professionals; certification of sign language interpreters; deafness-related information and publications, legal assistance, policy development and research, public awareness, sign language interpreter certification, and youth leadership development.

Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, the NAD also has program offices in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Morganton, North Carolina.

(copyright 1998, National Association of the Deaf. All rights reserved)

American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA)

The American Sign Language Teachers Association is a national organization of teachers of American Sign Language (ASL), and operates under the auspices of the National Association of the Deaf. ASLTA certifies teachers of ASL, advises teaching programs, provides professional development activities on the national and chapter levels, and seeks to advance the recognition of ASL in schools and state Boards of Education.

Continuing Education Opportunities

The Sign Language Interpreting Program has been instrumental in providing professional development opportunities to practitioners, interpreter educators and students. We have hosted a variety of Gallaudet University graduate classees, Illinois Registery of Interpreters for the Deaf workshops and teleclasses.

Other Organizations of Interest (Things to Know):

Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Service

36 South Wabash, #1100

Chicago, IL 60056

312/895-4300

312/895-4320 TTY

Interpreter Skills Assessment Screening (I.S.A.S.)

The I.S.A.S. is a diagnostic service for sign language interpreters and transliterators and in Illinois is licensed to the Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Service (CAIRS). I.S.A.S. uses both written and performance tests to help interpreters gauge their skill and development. Applicants must pass a written test which focuses on the profession and ethical aspects of interpreting before taking the performance tests. Contact CAIRS for more information. The I.S.A.S. tests will be conducted at Harper College on April 29 and November 18, 2000. (Note that I.S.A.S. is not an alternative to Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification, nor is it endorsed or supported by RID or by IRID.)

email CAIRSISAS@aol.com

Chicago Hearing Society / A Division of Anixter Center

2001 North Clybourn Avenue, Suite 202 (interpreter referral service at this location)

Chicago, IL 60614

773/248-9121

773/248-9174 TTY

or

332 South Michigan Avenue, #714

Chicago, IL 60604

312/939-6888

312/427-2166 TTY

The Interpreters' Network

Learning Resource Center
Harper College holds a number of fine resources related to sign language, interpreting and Deaf culture. These include books, videotapes and periodical publications.

Sign On Stage, Inc.

P.0. Box 17

Lincolnshire, IL 60069-0017

708/544-9526 TTY

708/544-9525 voice

e-mail SOSDJM@aol.com

Sign On Stage, Inc. (SOS) is a comprehensive, personal resource for education, information, consultation, advocacy, training, and community outreach for interpreted performances in the Chicagoland area. With 50 years of combined experience in interpreting, and hundreds of interpreted performances to their credit, the founders of SOS have expertise and a commitment to quality, accessible arts and entertainment. SOS provides interpreters for big-name musicals, the Illinois Storytelling Festival, community theatre and more. SOS also sponsors workshops on artistic interpreting techniques and skills.

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Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 324 Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 301/608-0050 V/TTY RID has worked diligently to provide the "three Q's of interpreting: Quantity, Qualifications and Quality," namely, the RID Triad. RID's Triad is composed of: Training for new and professional Interpreters through the Professional Development Committee (PDC), and the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) and Continued certification through RID's National Testing System (NTS), Self-regulation through a national Ethical Practices System (EPS). In addition to originating and administering the National Testing System that certifies interpreters, RID also provides various support services to practicing interpreters, students of interpretation, and persons who share an active interest in the field of interpretation. Information on speakers, workshops, and classes are offered for the following: the American with Disabilities Act, the interpreting profession, Interpreter Preparation Programs, National Testing and Certification, Certification Maintenance Program for professional development, national Ethical Practices System, Testimony/Technical Assistance, Interpreter Referral Services, career opportunities, mentoring, internships, and scholarships to cover testing fees. Philosophy Statement The philosophy of RID is that excellence in the delivery of interpretation and transliteration services among people who are Deaf, or Hard of Hearing, and people who are hearing, will ensure effective communication. As the professional association for interpreters and transliterators, the RID serves as an essential arena for its members in their pursuit of excellence. Mission Statement It is the mission of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. to provide international, national, regional, state, and local forums and an organizational structure for the continued growth and development of the professions of interpretation and transliteration of American Sign Language and English. Goal Statement It is the goal of RID to promote the profession of interpreting and transliterating American Sign Language and English. (copyright 1997, 1998 the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.) Harper College is a National Testing Site for both the written and performance tests offered through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Conference of Interpreter Trainers (CIT) The mission of the CIT is to promote quality education for interpreters working with American Sign Language and English (including English-influenced forms of signing). As a professional association of interpreter educators, the CIT provides opportunities for the professional development of interpreter educators; serves as a vehicle for sharing information among interpreter educators; promotes high standards in institutions, faculties, programs and curricula for the education of interpreters; advocates for research relevant to the practice and instruction of interpretation; and encourages collegial relationships with professionals in other related disciplines and organizations. Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (IRID) P.O. Box 4339 Chicago, IL 60680-4339 IRID is a member driven organization for sign language interpreters in Illinois. IRID provides networking opportunities for interpreters. provides workshops for skill and professional development. provides a scholarship program for interpreters seeking national certification. provides a quarterly newsletter of information, inspiration and ideas for IRID members. creates an awareness of the need for and the availability of interpreting services. provides organizational representation for IRID members on various advisory committees important to the field of interpreting. cooperates with the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. in the observance of standards of skill and ethics. acts as a body to advance professional and ethical standards for all interpreters. provides a resource for any member with a question, problem, or needing advice on any matter related to the practice of interpreting. acts as a sponsor for RID Certificate Maintenance Program and Associate Continuing Education Tracking administration to provide continuing educational opportunities for interpreters. National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Founded in 1880, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the oldest and largest organization representing people with disabilities in the United States. The NAD safeguards the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in a variety of areas including education, employment, health care and social services, and telecommunications. A private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the NAD is a dynamic federation of 51 state association affiliates, sponsoring and organizational affiliates, and direct members. Programs and activities include grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, certification of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies professionals; certification of sign language interpreters; deafness-related information and publications, legal assistance, policy development and research, public awareness, sign language interpreter certification, and youth leadership development. Headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, the NAD also has program offices in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Morganton, North Carolina. (copyright 1998, National Association of the Deaf. All rights reserved) American Sign Language Teachers Association (ASLTA) The American Sign Language Teachers Association is a national organization of teachers of American Sign Language (ASL), and operates under the auspices of the National Association of the Deaf. ASLTA certifies teachers of ASL, advises teaching programs, provides professional development activities on the national and chapter levels, and seeks to advance the recognition of ASL in schools and state Boards of Education. Continuing Education Opportunities The Sign Language Interpreting Program has been instrumental in providing professional development opportunities to practitioners, interpreter educators and students. We have hosted a variety of Gallaudet University graduate classees, Illinois Registery of Interpreters for the Deaf workshops and teleclasses. Other Organizations of Interest (Things to Know): Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Service 36 South Wabash, #1100 Chicago, IL 60056 312/895-4300 312/895-4320 TTY Interpreter Skills Assessment Screening (I.S.A.S.) The I.S.A.S. is a diagnostic service for sign language interpreters and transliterators and in Illinois is licensed to the Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Service (CAIRS). I.S.A.S. uses both written and performance tests to help interpreters gauge their skill and development. Applicants must pass a written test which focuses on the profession and ethical aspects of interpreting before taking the performance tests. Contact CAIRS for more information. The I.S.A.S. tests will be conducted at Harper College on April 29 and November 18, 2000. (Note that I.S.A.S. is not an alternative to Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification, nor is it endorsed or supported by RID or by IRID.) email CAIRSISAS@aol.com Chicago Hearing Society / A Division of Anixter Center 2001 North Clybourn Avenue, Suite 202 (interpreter referral service at this location) Chicago, IL 60614 773/248-9121 773/248-9174 TTY or 332 South Michigan Avenue, #714 Chicago, IL 60604 312/939-6888 312/427-2166 TTY The Interpreters' Network Learning Resource Center Harper College holds a number of fine resources related to sign language, interpreting and Deaf culture. These include books, videotapes and periodical publications. Sign On Stage, Inc. P.0. Box 17 Lincolnshire, IL 60069-0017 708/544-9526 TTY 708/544-9525 voice e-mail SOSDJM@aol.com Sign On Stage, Inc. (SOS) is a comprehensive, personal resource for education, information, consultation, advocacy, training, and community outreach for interpreted performances in the Chicagoland area. With 50 years of combined experience in interpreting, and hundreds of interpreted performances to their credit, the founders of SOS have expertise and a commitment to quality, accessible arts and entertainment. SOS provides interpreters for big-name musicals, the Illinois Storytelling Festival, community theatre and more. SOS also sponsors workshops on artistic interpreting techniques and skills.
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