Those interested in becoming a certified interpreter for the hearing impaired are to be lauded for seeking to help in a time of critical need, a state offical says. But they should also keep their eyes on the larger picture.

Rob Voreck, licensing and certification coordinator with the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing, says the ultimate goal of interpreters should be to obtain national certification.

“The ideal route is for one to master fluency in sign language,” Mr. Voreck says, “enroll in an interpreter preparation program, gather internship experience under the guidance of a mentor, complete the program and obtain national certification.”

Attaining national certification is a two-step process: applicants must first pass a written exam and then a performance test. Two national organizations that certify interpreters and serve as partners with the Arizona Commission are the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and the National Association for the Deaf. This partnership has resulted in the development of a unified assessment program known as the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) system.

“The NIC combines the best of both organization’s testing systems,” says Mr. Voreck. “Our partnership allows the commission to provide, for free, 1,000 tests over the next 10 years for Arizona residents interested in becoming an interpreter.”

FYI

Phoenix College and the University of Arizona are the only institutions in the state that offer certificate and degree programs in interpreting. For more information on becoming an interpreter for the hearing impaired, contact the following:

Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing

1400 W. Washington, Room 126, Phoenix, AZ 85007

602-542-3323 Voice

602-364-0990 TTY

800) 352-8161 (in state)

602-542-3380 fax

www.acdhh.org

Programs include:

Arizona Relay Service 7-1-1

Arizona Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (AzTEDP)

Interpreter Licensure and Certification

Information and Referral Services

or Phoenix College at www.pc.maricopa.edu —