The Deaf Community and Interpreters: Who is doing the gatekeeping? with Anna Witter-Merithew

The Deaf Community and Interpreters: Who is doing the gatekeeping?

In this 2 hour forum, the Deaf Community will have the opportunity to share their experiences working with interpreters and to explore the ethical framework that guides the standards and practices of interpreters in their day-to-day work.  The changing role of gatekeeping by the Deaf Community will be discussed, as well as strategies for self-advocacy by Deaf consumers in working with interpreters.  This will be a highly interactive forum.

Objectives:  At the end of this session, participants will be able to do the following.

1. Identify at least two key values expressed in the RID Code of Professional Conduct [CPC]

2. Discuss one or two ways in which the CPC is applied to standards and practices of interpreters.

3. Identify one or two of the factors that have led to a shift in the gatekeeping of interpreters by the Deaf Community.

4. Discuss at least one way in which Deaf consumers can self-advocate for greater effectiveness during interpreted events.

Anna Witter-Merithew, M.Ed., CSC, SC:L, OIC:C, SC:PA, CI and CT is the current Interim Director of RID. She is retiring from the position of Assistant Director of the UNC DO IT Center and Director of the UNC MARIE Center where she has worked since 2000.

During her career, Anna has served as an interpreter, coordinator of interpreting services, interpreter teacher, workshop presenter, curriculum developer, program developer and program administrator. As well, she served as President of both a local and state RID chapter, a two-term Vice President and one-term President of National RID, and as the cofounder and two-term Vice President of CIT. She is a recipient of the joint CIT-RID Mary Stotler Award for excellence in the fields of interpreting and interpreter education.

Anna has also co-authored two texts: Towards Competent Practice: Conversations with Stakeholders and The Dimensions of Ethical Decision-Making, as well as creating a twelve(12)-part DVD and workbook entitled, Interpreting in the American Legal System. As well, Anna has over thirty-five (35) peer-reviewed and conference proceedings articles in both national and international publications–many co-authored with valued colleagues.

The Deaf Community and Interpreters2 (1).pdf