Disabled: Of a person: having a physical
or mental condition which limits activity,
movement, sensation, etc (Oxford
Dictionary)
 A physical or mental handicap that
prevents one from enjoying a full normal
life or renders incapable of gainful
employment (Random house dictionary)


Family and friends that knew sign

Mostly volunteer based setting
› Helper Philosophy was adopted more often
than not

Closed Caption, Relay services:
Nonexistent

Emergency lights, Phone, and door lights:
Nonexistent

Privacy?
› Nope, sorry.
Allowed deaf and hard of hearing
people to request an interpreter that
wasn’t family
 To become a qualified interpreter all
they needed to know was the manual
alphabet

› They were not effective as a means of
communication
› People complained about paying for a less
than mediocre interpreter

on of the first acts of the federal
government to prohibit discrimination
based on mental or physical impairment.

Applied only to federally funded
operations
Disability (as defined by the federal
government): “A persons with a physical
or mental impairment which substantially
limits one or more of major life activities.
People who have a history of, or are
regarded as having a physical or mental
impairments.
 Major life activities: caring for one’s self,
walking, hearing, speaking, breathing,
working, learning, etc.


Mandated that deaf or hard of hearing
students be educated in the least
restrictive environment,
› Many public districts mainstreamed their
students
 Interpreters, speech training, note takers or
tutors.

Problem, the students were not always
provided with these services
Introduced in 1989 by President George
Bush Sr.
 Passed in 1990( since has been modified
several times, most current 2008)
 Expands prohibition of discrimination to
all public businesses and private
companies of 15+ employees.


Hearing impairment only becomes a
disability if:
› Substantially limits life activities
› Has in the past limited activities

Interpreters will be provided upon
request under threat of citation and
fines!!!!

They now have a recognized profession
and are compensated
› Considered under Auxiliary aids in title 1and
in Rehab act sect. 504

The institution of RID (Registry of
Interpreters)
› Mandatory membership to be certified
› A code of Ethics…no more helpers or
machines!

Interpreter training?
› Should have classes focused on the ADA
› Prerequisites: Code of Ethics and Deaf
culture
› Specialized classes for educational
Interpreters
› BA degrees mandatory for ALL interpreters
 Majors in Psychology or Elementary school
Education




Frishberg, Nancy. Interpreting: An introduction. RID
Publication, 1986. Print.
Thomas, Korian. Personal Interview by Bekki Wilson, Rachel
Hayes. 11 02 2009.
Oklahoma Office of Disability Concerns, . Title I - Who is an
"Individual with a Disability" and a "Qualified Individual with a
Disability" n. pag. Web. november 2009.
<http://www.odc.ok.gov/ada/ada12.html>.
RID, . "About RID Overview." RID. 2006. Web. 30 Nov 2009.
<http://www.rid.org/aboutRID/overview/index.cfm>.