SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION

WHAT IS SIGN LANGUAGE?

Sign Language is commonly used by people to communicate with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign Language is also used to communicate by people who can hear, but who cannot speak or have speech difficulties. There are many different types of sign languages in the world. The form of sign language primarily used in North America is known as American Sign Language (ASL).

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS/INTERPRETATION SERVICES

People who work as sign language interpreters are employed in all types of agencies that work with or serve people who have hearing impairments or speech difficulties. Hospitals and medical centers, for example, offer services for hearing impaired patients and/or their companions. These services include amplified phones, and assistive listening devices as well as oral interpreters, and sign language interpreters. Other agencies may offer sign language instruction and interpretation as part of their outreach programs for people with hearing impairments and speech difficulties.
The State of Connecticut Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired (www.cdhi.ct.gov/cdhi/site/default.asp) provides sign language interpretation services for deaf and hard of hearing people who interact with the public in a variety of community participation, educational, employment-related, legal, medical, and other situations. The commission also operates a sign language interpreter registry for matters such as court appearances and/or court proceedings, educational/classroom instructions, job training and/or job support services, and legal and medical appointments. The commission also offers emergency interpreting services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing who have been arrested.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: Sign Language Interpretation

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SOURCES: Agency listings in 2-1-1 database; State of Connecticut Commission on Deaf and Hearing Impaired website
INTERNET PAGE PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: September2012