New to requesting an Interpreter? Here’s what to expect.

Preparing Your Interpreter

We want to be ready for your event.

The more information you can provide in advance (e.g. agendas, PowerPoint presentations, etc.), the better prepared your interpreter will be. If you scheduled the interpreter on behalf of someone else, let us know who to meet upon arrival. Let us know if there are any parking instructions needed.

Tip: We require 36-hour notice to cancel without incurring fees. Set yourself a calendar reminder ahead of this 36-hour deadline to notify us of the need to cancel or reschedule your event.

On the Day of Interpretation

In-Person Appointments.

Greet your interpreter. Show them to the meeting space and introduce them to the relevant participants (the speaker/leader, the individual(s) who are deaf/hard of hearing).

Zoom/Remote Appointments.

Enable your interpreter(s) to be “Co Hosts.” Spotlighting and multi-pinning are easily maintained by the interpreter for themselves and the participants that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing. Additionally, break-out will reset spotlights and multi-pinning. Unless you prefer to constantly maintain these features then enabling Co Host status is not necessary.

Note: Zoom has added sign language interpreter channel. This feature is new and not ideal. Only consider this feature if there is limited audience involvement such as webinars or seminars that require the use of chat to contribute questions and comments. This feature is not practical for meetings requiring discussions and interactions among participants.

Identify who is speaking.

Discussions conveyed through an interpreter; it appears as if one person is speaking throughout. Your interpreter needs to identify who is talking. Please instruct participants to identify themselves therefore your interpreter may quickly and accurately indicate who is saying what.

Tip: Share frequent acronyms and common jargon specific to your industry to better prepare your interpreter.

Following Your Event

If there are follow up or other meetings, please submit them ASAP. Interpreters’ schedules fill up fast; let us get your interpreter reserved now.

Invoices are typically emailed within 30 days unless otherwise requested.

Please let us know how we did. We are on Yelp, “Life Interpretation” or you may use the Feedback Form here.