ASL in Healthcare

Does healthcare overall support the Deaf community?

  • Total voters
    23
Liebling:-))) said:
...If deaf and hearing people have low education and problem with writing and read skill then relay Social Workers, not interpreters. Interpreter´s job task to interpret in neutral way what the people want to say. (Not just deaf but hearing Foreigner as well who can´t speak our languages).
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I know what an interpreter is supposed to do. Yes, the person probably needs other services from other providers. But we're discussing medical appointments here. A Deaf patient with MLS needs at the very least one interpreter, and sometimes needs two interpreters (one hearing, one Deaf) at the appointment. Writing notes is not sufficient. Even when writing is used, I sometimes have to interpret the notes and forms for Deaf patients.

Do you know what a CDI is, and what they do?
 
Can you please give me right word for abbreviation word "CDI" and "MLS" before I´m able to quote your post, Reba?
 
Liebling:-))) said:
Can you please give me right word for abbreviation word "CDI" and "MLS" before I´m able to quote your post, Reba?
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No problem. :)

CDI = Certified Deaf Interpreter
According to RID:

The Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing. In addition to proficient communication skill and general interpreter training, the CDI has specialized training and/or experience in the use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication. The CDI has knowledge and understanding of deafness, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. The CDI possesses native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language.

From Oregon's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Use of a Certified Deaf Interpreter :

Often a Certified Deaf Interpreter works as a team member with a certified interpreter who is hearing. In some situations, a CDI/hearing interpreter team can communicate more effectively than a hearing interpreter alone or a team of two hearing interpreters or a CDI alone. In the CDI/hearing interpreter team situation, the CDI transmits message content between a deaf consumer and a hearing interpreter; the hearing interpreter transmits message content between a deaf consumer and a hearing interpreter; the hearing interpreter transmits message content between the CDI and a hearing consumer. While this process resembles a message relay, it is more than that. Each interpreter receives the message in one communication mode (or language), processes it linguistically and culturally, then passes it on in the appropriate communication mode. In even more challenging situations, the CDI and hearing interpreter may work together to understand a deaf individual's message, confer with each other to arrive at their best interpretation, then convey that interpretation to the hearing party.

MLS = Minimal Language Skills

From So You Want To Be An Interpreter?:

Some deaf individuals have not developed competency or skill in any language . . . This sometimes occurs because an individual has been educationally or socially deprived and never had an opportunity to develop language skills.
 
I think the biggest concern for me is, not if interpreter will arrive on time or not and for small cases such as flu.

The thing I worry the most is if the hospital refused to provide me an interpreter after I ask for one.

I have seen this happen before, one of my classmate who is case manager worked for one client who is deaf. Hospital's TV video interpreter isn't working or the connection is down (I do not know which one it is). So they have to call in for interpreter and the hospital refused. My classmate had to fight and the hospital even threatened her after she refused to interpret for her client because she is not licensed even though she know some signs. She did not want to get in trouble so it is very upset situation for her.

This situation is no excuse, hospital is not supposed to threat anyone or refuse to provide an interpreter.
 
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