A Day in the Life
You tell Katie that you would like to introduce yourself to the new HR Rep. She nods and waves goodbye to Carlos.
"NICE MEET YOU," Katie says to Carols, using SimComm to interpret for herself so you aren't out of the loop. You pat Carlos on the shoulder and nod your chin downwards as a goodbye.
Carlos catches your eye and Katie interprets for him, "hey, get on IM later." You give a sly smile and raise your eyebrows up and down slightly in a mock, devious sort of way. Carlos laughs and pats you back on the shoulder. You start to make your way across the room and Katie follows closely behind.
You approach Sam who is engaged in a conversation with another employee. You politely wait and Katie is able to position herself in a way that will allow you to see her and Sam during what will surely be a quick conversation. You're up!
"Hi, Mr. Heathers," Katie interprets your ASL into English, "I wanted to quickly introduce myself and let you know that I request interpreters through email to the HR Representative. I used to email Karen but I guess I will be emailing you from now on when I need an interpreter."
Sam is distracted by others quickly shaking his hand and giving him welcoming waves. "Yeah... It's nice to meet you. Erm, what's this about an interpreter now?" He looks up to engage in the conversation and seems surprised to see me standing in front of him. He swivels his head back and forth between Katie and I until settling on Katie.
"What interpreter now?" he repeats himself.
Katie interprets as you explain that you are Deaf and the company has a contract with a local interpreting agency. He will receive an email from you when an interpreter is needed then contact the agency who will send an interpreter.
"Well, I don't know about that but it seems like that isn't the company's responsibility. Do you hire the interpreter?" He asks.
"No," you explain, "it is the company's responsibility to hire an interpreter," you hesitate for half a moment then explain, "it is required under federal law by the Americans with Disabilities Act that the company hire and pay for interpreters." You hate to throw out laws and requirements to a brand new HR representative but it is important to bypass the speculation so you can ensure that you will have an interpreter when needed.
"Oh, I know the ADA. I worked with a blind fellow and we made sure everything was up to par to accommodate him but I don't think that includes buying an interpreter." He seems to have not communicated with an interpreter before because he is only making eye contact with Katie and flat out ignoring your eye contact.
"That is great you got to accommodate an employee who is blind but our needs are very different," you explain, "I don't communicate in spoken English and the ADA requires that my employer accommodate this and supply interpreting services."
"Well okay," he says, still looking at Katie, "how about you help your client here type this all up and have them send it on over to me in an email. I'lll look through it and decide if and when an interpreter is needed," he grabs one of Katie's hands mid-interpretation and shakes it heartily, "I'll look for an email" he says, then walks exits through the door.
Hmm, you think to yourself, this might be a bit of a battle. You look at Katie who looks back with wide eyes and furrowed brows.
"WOW." She signs, obviously off-put by the unresponsive HR Rep.
"KNOW KNOW" you sign back.
"SEEMS TODAY EMAIL ME," you roll your eyes, put on a silly face, and with floppy arms sign, "TYPING."
She seems amused yet confused by your joke and casual nature about the situation. Interpreters tend to react strongly when they see discrimination and audism occurring to a Deaf person. What she doesn't realize is how often you face audism and ineffective accessibility in your daily life. You're used to this. You have to explain laws that require equal accessibility often. You hate seeming confrontational but accessibility under laws like the ADA are your rights and you are happy you know them. It can be draining, but it's nice having people like Katie and Sara on your side.
You thank Katie for her services and promise you'll have her as a backup for when Sara can't make it.
**PAUSE** Read Legal Guidelines (pg. 4) in your packet.
Now it's time to get to work.
"NICE MEET YOU," Katie says to Carols, using SimComm to interpret for herself so you aren't out of the loop. You pat Carlos on the shoulder and nod your chin downwards as a goodbye.
Carlos catches your eye and Katie interprets for him, "hey, get on IM later." You give a sly smile and raise your eyebrows up and down slightly in a mock, devious sort of way. Carlos laughs and pats you back on the shoulder. You start to make your way across the room and Katie follows closely behind.
You approach Sam who is engaged in a conversation with another employee. You politely wait and Katie is able to position herself in a way that will allow you to see her and Sam during what will surely be a quick conversation. You're up!
"Hi, Mr. Heathers," Katie interprets your ASL into English, "I wanted to quickly introduce myself and let you know that I request interpreters through email to the HR Representative. I used to email Karen but I guess I will be emailing you from now on when I need an interpreter."
Sam is distracted by others quickly shaking his hand and giving him welcoming waves. "Yeah... It's nice to meet you. Erm, what's this about an interpreter now?" He looks up to engage in the conversation and seems surprised to see me standing in front of him. He swivels his head back and forth between Katie and I until settling on Katie.
"What interpreter now?" he repeats himself.
Katie interprets as you explain that you are Deaf and the company has a contract with a local interpreting agency. He will receive an email from you when an interpreter is needed then contact the agency who will send an interpreter.
"Well, I don't know about that but it seems like that isn't the company's responsibility. Do you hire the interpreter?" He asks.
"No," you explain, "it is the company's responsibility to hire an interpreter," you hesitate for half a moment then explain, "it is required under federal law by the Americans with Disabilities Act that the company hire and pay for interpreters." You hate to throw out laws and requirements to a brand new HR representative but it is important to bypass the speculation so you can ensure that you will have an interpreter when needed.
"Oh, I know the ADA. I worked with a blind fellow and we made sure everything was up to par to accommodate him but I don't think that includes buying an interpreter." He seems to have not communicated with an interpreter before because he is only making eye contact with Katie and flat out ignoring your eye contact.
"That is great you got to accommodate an employee who is blind but our needs are very different," you explain, "I don't communicate in spoken English and the ADA requires that my employer accommodate this and supply interpreting services."
"Well okay," he says, still looking at Katie, "how about you help your client here type this all up and have them send it on over to me in an email. I'lll look through it and decide if and when an interpreter is needed," he grabs one of Katie's hands mid-interpretation and shakes it heartily, "I'll look for an email" he says, then walks exits through the door.
Hmm, you think to yourself, this might be a bit of a battle. You look at Katie who looks back with wide eyes and furrowed brows.
"WOW." She signs, obviously off-put by the unresponsive HR Rep.
"KNOW KNOW" you sign back.
"SEEMS TODAY EMAIL ME," you roll your eyes, put on a silly face, and with floppy arms sign, "TYPING."
She seems amused yet confused by your joke and casual nature about the situation. Interpreters tend to react strongly when they see discrimination and audism occurring to a Deaf person. What she doesn't realize is how often you face audism and ineffective accessibility in your daily life. You're used to this. You have to explain laws that require equal accessibility often. You hate seeming confrontational but accessibility under laws like the ADA are your rights and you are happy you know them. It can be draining, but it's nice having people like Katie and Sara on your side.
You thank Katie for her services and promise you'll have her as a backup for when Sara can't make it.
**PAUSE** Read Legal Guidelines (pg. 4) in your packet.
Now it's time to get to work.