Course Description & Objectives

Do you view the Deaf professional you work with as a consumer? Should that perspective shift? This workshop will explore shared experiences and mindsets of both Deaf professionals and the interpreters who work with them. We’ll examine how boundaries can become blurred over time, especially in long-term partnerships, and how to maintain healthy, professional relationships. Additional topics include effective teaming strategies—particularly when substitute interpreters are involved—the specialized skill sets and ethical considerations required in this unique context, and how to navigate situations where the Deaf professional is the subject-matter expert, especially when the interpreter may not fully grasp the technical content. Throughout the workshop, real-world stories and examples from the field will be shared and discussed.

Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify and describe at least five distinct professional boundaries required when working with Deaf professionals.
• Propose three actionable strategies for navigating team dynamics when a substitute interpreter is present.
• List at least four specialized skill sets needed for a specific technical interpreting assignment.
• List at least three examples of how confident and clear articulation can impact the perceived power and professionalism of an interpreter.
• Propose at least three specific interpreting strategies that respectfully and effectively support a dynamic where the Deaf professional holds a position of authority.