Sign Language Services of Michigan

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are you?

Sign Language Services of Michigan was founded in 1996.  We have over 100 State and Nationally Certified Interpreters throughout the state ready to service your needs.

All employees/contractors of Sign Language Services of Michigan follow the Code of Ethics as set forth by the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, RID.org .  This is important to know because that code has a strict confidentiality rule.  Since all our staff and Interpreters abide by this Code, your information is completely confidential in all phases of using an Interpreter.  Meaning, when our office staff is contacted by your office staff, that staff person must keep your information confidential, only releasing it to the Interpreter assigned.  When that assignments timesheet is sent to the office and it is billed out, the office staff who work with that information must keep it confidential.  You can be confident that though you are using a third party to help facilitate communication that may be sensitive, the information is secure.

How do you know your Interpreters have the skill to do what they do?

We have over 100 State and Nationally Certified Interpreters.  In addition to that, all of our Interpreters are tested by our company.  Interpreters must present a resume, then be interviewed where they are tested on their knowledge of the Code of Ethics.  If they pass the interview they will be skill tested.  We are diligent in our efforts to make sure that Interpreters have the proper skill level to facilitate the communication effectively for your situation. 

Do you work with Interpreter students?

We do work with students in Interpreting Training Programs.  Those students will sometimes accompany Professional Interpreters on assignments.  These students must attend a brief training session with company personnel to ensure that they follow the Code of Ethics while on the job with the Interpreter and conduct themselves in a manner that makes them as "invisible" as possible.  Many students work with us to get in their observation hours and contact hours.  These students are never sent on an assignment alone.  All of these services to students are FREE OF CHARGE.  

What services do you provide?

• Sign Language Interpreters, over 100 State and Nationally Certified
• Oral Interpreters
• 24 Hour Emergency Services
• Deaf/Blind Interpreters
• Advocates
• Consultants
• Specialized Training and Workshops
• Skill Enhancement materials
• Sign Language Classes 
• American's with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) compliance training
• Technical Assistance
• Assistive Device training and TTY/TDD test calls
• Assistive Device Sales
• In-House Sign Language classes
• Interpreter and Student Skill Assesment, for company and personal use only.

Do I have to provide a Sign Language Interpeter for every deaf person who comes into my business?

No you do not.  According to the Americans with Disabilities Act the deaf person must request to have a Sign Language Interpreter.  Under this law, as defined by the U.S. Justice Department, you must provide "effective communication".  Sign Language Interpreters are an "auxiliary aide and service" and may "be necessary to ensure effective communication".  Please conact Great Lakes A.D.A. and Accessible Information and Technology Center at 1-800-949-4232 voice and tty, for more information and copies of the law.

What can happen if I don't provide an Interpreter when a deaf person requests it?

In some instances of "undue hardship" you may be allowed to deny the request, however, there are procedures that are in place for the deaf person to file a complaint against your business if you deny the request.  It is best to look at providing the Interpreter as a cost of doing business.  The U.S. Justice department looks at the entire financial situation of the business to determine hardship, not just one business transaction.  Check with the I.R.S., you may qualify for tax deductions for providing this service.

Who pays for the Interpreter?

The business entity must pay for the Interpreter and you may not charge an extra fee to the deaf person for providing the Interpreter.  Call Great Lakes A.D.A. at 1-800-949-4232 for more information.

What can I do if a business refuses to provide me with an Interpreter?

You can file a complaint against the business with:

U.S. Justice Department, 950 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Civil Rights Div., Disability Rights Sect. NYAV, Washington D.C., 20530.  Fax:  202-307-1198.

Federal Office of Civil Rights, contact Great Lakes A.D.A. for your local office at 1-800-949-9232.

Michigan Department of Civil Rights, 1-800-482-3604.

Michigan Protection and Advocacy, 517-487-1755.

For medical facilities:  Licensing Complaints Division for Medical, 1-800-882-6006, michigan.gov/vhs will give you the complaint papers to fill out.

Who have you provided services to?

• Local Government, including County Prosecutors, Mayors, State Representatives
• Federal Government, including the President and Vice President of the United States, Governors, Cabinet Members Senators
• Foreign Dignitaries
• Television and Movie Personalities
• Hospitals
• Colleges and Universities
• Courts
• Primary and Secondary Schools
• Social Service agencies
• Corporations and small businesses
• Theatres
• Public Safety offices

These are just a few of the different types of places that use Interpreters and that we have experience with.

Can I request a particular Interpreter?

Yes.  However, please understand that if that particular Interpreter is not available, we will need to schedule another Interpreter.  We can give  you the name of the Interpreter who is assigned to your site before they arrive.

A business that I go to says they use another company, but I want to use your company, what can I do?

When you make a request for an Interpreter ask them to contact Sign Language Services of Michigan.  Explain to them the reasons for this request.  We work with many different companies and I am sure that arrangements can be made.  Please feel free to contact us and let us know who that company is and we can contact them for you and explain who we are and what we do.

If you are the employee of a company that uses another agency and you prefer to work with our company, let us know who to contact and we will send some information their way to make them more comfortable with switching to our company.

What is the Interpreter Code of Ethics?

The Interpreters Code of Ethics are a set of guidelines that the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, R.I.D. established to protect all members of a communication, hearing, deaf and facilitator, (interpreter).  Here is our Code of Ethics:

1.  Confidentiality:  all assignment related information is strictly confidential.

2.  Truth in Communication:  Interpeters will render the message faithfully, conveying all the content, emotions and spirit of the communication, using the language most readily understood by all persons involved in the communication.

3.  Be unabtrusive:  Do not counsel, advise or give your personal opinions.

4.  Discretion:  Use discretion with regard to the setting, the people involved, and the level of skill needed to be effective.

5.  Compensation:  Request compensation in a judicious and professional manner.

6.  Be Appropriate:  Function in a manner appropriate for the situation, do not call attention to yourself.

7.  Education:  Strive to further your knowledge and skill by attending workshops, reading and networking.

8.  Professionalism:  Maintain a high standard of professional standards and compliance with this Code of Ethics and become a member of R.I.D.