BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHAT IS SIGN LANGUAGE?

Sign language is a visual-gestural language that is used as a primary means of communication by individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing. World Deaf sign languages are naturally developed languages with their own grammar, punctuation, and sentence order.

Therefore, just as Spanish, English, Russian, Chinese are unique to a culture, so too is the sign language of a country. American Sign Language differs from British Sign Language which differs from New Zealand Sign Language which differs from Australian Sign Language which differs from Kenyan Sign Language.

In some cases, non-native sign language is imported to a country (especially developing countries) and/or several different dialects of sign language occur in a country due to a non-unifying agency for the Deaf and hard of hearing.

THE WORLD ASSOCIATION OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

Research in education has clearly noted that international exchange experiences positively affect career choices, employment, language skills, self-confidence, and autonomy.

With this in mind, in July of 2003, 60 interpreters representing 20 countries discussed the initiation of a world association of sign language interpreters to contribute to the educational health of a world-wide Deaf community.

That meeting led to World Association of Sign Language Interpreters which joined with other organizations such as the European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and the World Federation of the Deaf to assist in making the world more accessible to Deaf or hard of hearing individuals.  

Today, the Deaf and hard of hearing community have international interpreters, FM systems, instant messaging, video relays, real time captioning and text messaging to make that bridge between countries even more accessible.

With all this in mind, where and how does the accommodation process for Deaf and hard of hearing exchange participants begin?

FUNDING INTERPRETERS

Preparations for hiring interpreters for overseas studies or professional exchanges should begin early in the process. If you are an exchange organization, be proactive in the process by including a reasonable accommodation line item in your program budget to cover expenses such as sign language interpreters for participants who are deaf or hard of hearing. Learn more detail about budgeting for reasonable accommodation in the Budgeting for Inclusion tip sheet.

Budgeting for an interpreter(s) overseas may not cost any more than it does in the United States.  For example, sometimes foreign university class schedules make it more cost effective to pay for interpreters abroad than in U.S. classes.  

For individuals, paying out of pocket for interpreter costs may be accomplished by applying for scholarships, financial aid, disability-specific fellowships, scholarships and funding resources for Going Overseas: US and Non-US Resources, and arranging fundraisers. Learn more from the tip sheet 15 Ways to Raise Funds for Your Exchange Program. 

When fundraising, keep in mind that you are budgeting for the interpreter's airfare, lodging, wages, ground transport and food unless other arrangements have been made.

You can save costs by setting a flat daily rate or stipend, negotiating free time as an incentive, checking airlines for buddy fares or free fares, and contacting disability organizations in the country of destination to see if they can help find or provide housing or a homestay for the interpreter.

Costs can also be reduced by hiring skilled interpreters for formal situations (i.e. orientations, meetings, and classes), and or sharing the costs with other universities sending Deaf students on the same program. For informal situations, notetakers and student interpreters can be used.

FINDING & CONTRACTING INTERPRETERS or LOCATING OTHER ALTERNATIVES

Find answers to frequently asked questions about finding interpreters, the hiring and visa process, legal issues and other communication technologies. 

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