PIE a la mode,

(This is the second in a series of four articles on Deaf/hearing team interpretation. Editor.)

The fundamental condition for a successful deaf/hearing team is TRUST. Even a team consisting of the most skilled hearing and deaf interpreters, will have difficulty achieving success without TRUST.

The deaf interpreter and the hearing interpreter must have an understanding of both roles of the interpreting team. They must know the needs from their team person a\nd be able to adapt in order to comfortably provide an equivalent interpretation. For example, if the hearing interpreter knows that fingerspelling is an area of weakness, the deaf interpreter will need to make sure that his/her fingerspelling can be read clearly and be ready to respell a word.

Our predictions of what may or may not take place during an assignment can be wrong, forcing us to make decisions different from what was originally anticipated. Both interpreters must be ready to make a decision that is acceptable to both members of the team to rectify the problem, and know how to disagree in a positive way. Each must have mutual respect and deference to individual cultural and linguistic expertise.

PRIOR TO THE WORK AS A TEAM

Prior to the team working together an honest discussion must take place regarding how the work will proceed. The reasons for using a deaf/hearing team should be explored by team members allowing both interpreters to have an understanding of the goals. Questions must be answered in agreement by both parties and a discussion about possible problems or changes must occur prior to beginning work. Consideration must be given to the language mode the hearing interpreter will provide to the deaf interpreter. Is the preference of the deaf interpreter to receive information in American Sign Language or in a more English-like manner? How much information would each interpreter like to receive from the other, small or bigger chunks of information at one time? Who will be responsible for explaining the roles of the interpreters to the various parties involved in the situation? Does the CDI want a summary of the points involved in the information facilitated? Where will the interpreters position themselves for the best communication amongst parties? How will cues be given for cultural adjustments? How will the team monitor each other for errors and how will the errors be corrected? Are there any environmental factors that need to be considered?

DURING THE WORK AS A TEAM

Once the work has begun, the team must have their game plan securely in place. Both interpreters must be comfortable asking for necessary requirements in an appropriate manner.

Examples include:

asking for a "Time Out" for discussion to clarify information,

asking for appropriate breaks and down time,

repositioning to be seen and heard more clearly,

monitoring and "feeding" one another,

controlling the environment (monitoring turn taking, etc.),

making linguistic and cultural adjustments, and

using tools such as props, calendars, and pictures when necessary to the interpreting process.

AFTER THE WORK AS A TEAM

After the work is completed the team should have a discussion regarding the facets of the work. What about the team process and the work succeeded? What was not successful and why? What options and strategies could be applied in the future?

DEVELOPING A STRONG TEAM

An essential element for a strong team is for both interpreters to have completed a formal Interpreter Training Program so that each is skilled in the interpreting process. An interpreter who does not have training is detrimental to the team process and equivalency of the work. When such a person is part of the team, the balance of responsibility shifts from being shared equally to one member of the team taking on more responsibility for the interpretation.

When an experienced hearing interpreter is working with a new deaf interpreter, the hearing person will take on more responsibility for the interpreting process and outcome. A team consisting of a certified deaf interpreter (CDI) and a pre-certified interpreter shifts the responsibility to the CDI because of lack of full understanding of the interpreting process itself on the part of the pre-certified interpreter. A newly certified interpreter working with a CDI is not an equal member of the team because the CDI has more responsibility to get an accurate message from his/her hearing team. A team consisting of a certified hearing interpreter who does not have any experience working with a CDI can be a successful one if there is additional time focusing on preparation. The certified interpreter is knowledgeable in the interpreting process, but lacks the understanding of the interpreting process of the CDI.

Of course, the best team will consist of a certified hearing interpreter and a certified deaf interpreter who both have experience with deaf/hearing team interpreting. This allows responsibility for the interpreting process to be shared equally by both team members. Even so, the deaf interpreter is already obtaining information in the form of an interpretation from the hearing interpreter and may not be receiving 100 percent of the information. This does becomes an issue of trust for the CDI who has to spend extra energy determining if he/she is receiving an accurate message. Hopefully, open discussions related to the team process and open expectations on the part of both team members will lead to developing trust. The development of TRUST, the ultimate goal, will provide for the strongest deaf/hearing team.

In celebration of Deaf Awareness Week 2004, PIE's Deaf Advisory Board (DAB) members nominated and honored three persons or entities that have shown remarkable effort to promote respect toward the needs of the Deaf community in Wisconsin. Certificates were mailed to the honorees on September 22, midway through Deaf Awareness Week (DAW). According to the National Association of the Deaf, some of the objectives of DAW are:

To understand the differences in the attitudinal approaches to deafness by the hearing public;
To better understand an interpreter's role;
To learn relevant tips for communicating with Deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing patrons; and
To recognize that "Deaf People Can Do Anything Except Hear!" (I. King Jordan)

Ms. Doris Gruenke, Patient Services Coordinator at Sheboygan Aurora Clinic;
Dr. Seth Dubry, Physician and UW Medical School Associate Professor, Aurora Downtown Clinic (Milwaukee);
Dr. Cianciolo and Staff at the Franklin Aurora Clinic.

PIE congratulates and appreciates working with these exemplary service providers!

No, we don't mean Donald Trump's TV show, but we do mean TV of a different kind! Tracy Vetter, otherwise known around PIE as "TV", has officially begun her Apprenticeship with PIE! Tracy completed the UW-Milwaukee Interpreter Training Program in May 2002. Since then, Tracy has worked full-time as a Coordinator and Lead Coordinator in the PIE office. Please join us in supporting Tracy as she embarks on this professional journey!

PIE bids a fond farewell to Donna Kocol, coordinator trainee, who had to leave PIE during her training as a coordinator due to conflicts that made it impossible for her to fill PIE's need for a full time staff person. We will miss Donna and look forward to a grand "come-back" in the future. PIE is here for you Donna.... concentrate on finishing school and staying healthy (not necessarily in that order)!!

Many of you know that on the day after Thanksgiving, I witnessed my sister-in-law having what appeared to be a stroke. I would love to tell you how I called 911 first, and then discussed what was going on with her and the family. However, that's not what happened. As I sat across the table from Kathy and talked with her, I noticed that she didn't have the same demeanor that she usually has. Something just wasn't right about her face, her attitude and her speech. Her face, usually determined and strong, seemed complacent. Her attitude, typically certain and forthright, seemed quiet. Her speech seemed measured, and once or twice in each sentence she was slurring words.

On Sunday night, March 20 th , I was home, watching the season finale of the first season of Dead Like Me, (Go to your library and rent it! Rent it now! Seriously, stop reading this and get to the library!) when the electricity went out. Everywhere. The entire house was plunged into darkness. After the initial surprise and a little bit of fear, I grabbed my cell phone so I could find my flashlight. Huh? I knew that there were potential obstacles on the floor that I could not see in the dark (including a couple very mobile cats), and I knew exactly where my flashlight was. The problem was that my flashlight was not where I was. But my cell phone was with me. I hit a button, and the screen came on, giving me enough light to see the floor in front of me as I headed into the bathroom to grab my flashlight off the counter where I see it every day. From there I was able to head to the breaker box in the basement (no breakers tripped), look up WE Energies power outage line, call from my land line phone (their computer knew exactly where I was calling from because I used the land line rather than the cell phone), and finally, call my neighbor to find out if it was just me. It wasn't just me. Having done all things necessary, I got some wood from the pile and built a fire in the wood stove. The power came back on after an hour and forty minutes, the house was still cozy, and I had not fallen in the dark.

Graduation! Political Rallies! Shows! Conventions and conferences! What do they have in common? They often involve interpreting in large rooms (or outdoors) in environments that are less than friendly acoustically. We've all struggled with speeches that were garbled by echoes, applause, wind or crowd noise. One great solution for hearing and hard of hearing interpreters is to ask for an assistive listening device. YES, I said for hearing interpreters! At a recent job, I requested an assistive listening device, and used it. When I was in the role of support terp, my team (a fully hearing interpreter) decided to try on the earphones. She was amazed at how much clearer the message was, and I was amazed at how evident it was that her stress level went down, and her ability to process information went up! It will be worth it to request assistive listening devices up-front, before we get to the job, and to make them a regular part of our work in platform situations. In most venues, the devices are already there; all we have to do is ask.

It saves a ton of money when we're able to prepare food in advance and have it with us. BUT, it's not always something we're able to do (or want to do). SO, I thought it might be a good idea to share some tips about good eating on the road. And I do mean share. I have a few ideas and restaurants here, but I want to benefit from your knowledge too! I like to eat.

PIE's Mission Statement uses the concept of excellence as a goal all employees should strive for in providing services. At the November 2004 Deaf Advisory Board (DAB) meeting, a topic of discussion was: What is excellence from a Deaf consumer's perspective? Below, in no particular order, are the answers from DAB members. PIE welcomes your reactions, questions, and feedback about these facets of excellence. Please send an e-mail to the office at pieinc@tds.net .

Nothing is forgotten about - everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Quality customer service and interaction with customers.
Office staff: Call back when a message is left.
Interpreter and agency are part of the advocacy process.
Remember that your job exists because of deaf people; think of deaf people first.
Do some advocacy; don't just say, "we can't because the hearing person said NO"

Do the job and show extra effort and motivation.
Both hearing and deaf consumers feel beyond satisfied; they feel pleased.
Not merely facilitating the message between parties.
Every job is their "best."
Match all language modes.
Don't expect the consumer to "help" the interpreter; keep the relationship terp and consumer.
Arrive to the job 10 to 15 minutes early.
Talk before the appointment starts so clear communication is established.
Do not arrive AT the start time. Consumers hate that!
Arrive professionally.
Allow the consumer the choice to chitchat or not.
Be ready to work: That means show up with your personal business DONE and engage the deaf person.
Using pagers is RUDE; turn them off! ( All DAB members agreed on this point. )
Interpret all audio in the area: Doctor on the phone, hearing family there, etc. Terp it ALL!
If you must use your pager for an emergency, be courteous. Even if you are the "off" terp of a team, it is distracting for deaf person to see you paging.
Feedback is important. PIE should have a card or means to collect feedback.
Deaf consumer should be asked at the beginning of the appointment about their needs, rather than being asked for feedback at the end.

Beginning in May of 2005, PIE employees will be invited to attend bi-monthly, informal, topic specific trainings at the PIE office. The trainings will start at 10:00a and finish by 3:00p. Bring your own bag lunch...PIE will provide beverages. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!!

May 21st (topic will be: The Post Office)
July 9th (topic: To Be Announced)
September 17th (topic will be: Advanced Directives)
November 5th (topic: To Be Announced)
January 21, 2006 (topic: To Be Announced)

Deadline for the Next a la mode: June 30th or earlier!

From the hands of the Deaf Advisory Board, November 2004

DEAF EMPOWERMENT

Greg Hlibok (more details will be available this summer)

ASL MENTORING PROGRAM OFFERED BY PIE