We’ve compiled a list of our most common questions and answered them below. If you don’t see your question feel free to send us a message at Admin@visuallanguagepro.com.

FAQs

YES! Our interpreters and staff are bound by and committed to upholding the interpreter’s Code of Professional Conduct (http://rid.org/ethics/code-of-professional-conduct/) and HIPAA privacy standards. We take this commitment to confidentiality very seriously. All of our scheduling systems are also HIPAA compliant.

Prices for professional interpreting services can vary from one region to another, but choosing a supplier based on price alone can be problematic. Costs vary based on the language need, location, and duration of the request. Will one interpreter suffice? Or are two interpreters needed? Does the situation require the use of a CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)? Is the request being made with more than 24 hours notice? All of these factors can affect the cost.

Utilizing untrained relatives or staff can have catastrophic consequences. When considering the various settings that interpreters are needed (police work, medical settings, court/ legal), the potential for error can mean the difference between life and death. Improper communication of an individual’s rights can result in reversal of sentences, conviction of innocent people, guilty parties set free due to incompetent interpreting and misdiagnosis or improper medical treatment. By hiring a professional interpreter, you are ensuring that the investments you have already made are not wasted or misused, as well as reducing the risk for yourself, your patients, partners and clients.

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides guidelines for when the provision of a sign langauge interpreter is required. More information can be found by accessing the ADA website’s many resources such as these: http://www.ada.gov/pubs/ada.htm http://www.ada.gov/videogallery.htm#anchor10mistakes990 Outside of mandates to provide services, 1 in 5 people speak a language other than English in their home. By providing language access organizations can tap a HUGE section of the population that is otherwise missed in the provision of monolingual services.

Simply stated: You want the best. The devil is in the details. Our dedicated staff will work with you to assess your interpreting needs for each request. We screen every request to ensure the interpreter’s skills are a match for your needs. We are available to you 24/7. We also offer online scheduling and management of all your requests. Giving you the power to request, change, or cancel services when your schedule permits.

Our Sign Language interpreters are certified by either the Registry of Interpreters, BEI, or their local certifying body. Spoken language interpreters are screened for competence in their working language and cultural competency.

Interpreting is a complex process that requires fluency in 2 languages with differing grammatical structures. A word for word interpretation would actually be undesirable as this would often violate grammatical structure of the target language… in short it wouldn’t make a ton of sense. Our interpreters are trained to provide the exact linguistic equivalent, ensuring your message is received in just the way you intended both linguistically and culturally.

In healthcare, interpreting reduces costs by improving doctor-patient communication. In business, interpreting benefits your bottom line by ensuring that all parties involved can follow exactly what is going on and participate actively. By providing professional services, you are guarding yourself against potential liability. When you go to a public place and see handicap parking, ramps, automatic doors, elevators, handicap bathrooms, signs in Braille… all of these accommodations fall under Title III of the ADA. These were “one-time” costs that were required to ensure the public place was accessible to everyone. The provision of interpreters falls under the same Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, but these costs are spread out over time. Tax Credit Small businesses with 30 or fewer employees or total revenues of $1 million or less can use the Disabled Access Credit (Internal Revenue Code, Section 44). Eligible small businesses may take a credit of up to $5,000 (half of eligible expenses up to $10,250, with no credit for the first $250) to offset their costs for access, including barrier removal from their facilities (e.g., widening a doorway, installing a ramp), provision of accessibility services (e.g. sign language interpreters), provision of printed material in alternate formats (e.g., large-print, audio, Braille), and provision or modification of equipment. Tax Incentives Packet on the Americans with Disabilities Act: http://www.ada.gov/taxpack.htm Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Business Connection: www.ada.gov/business.htm

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