Minimum Qualifications Standards for American Sign Language Interpreters
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD), established by the state in 1980 to promote the general welfare of d/Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing individuals in Louisiana, is also charged with the establishment of minimum standard qualifications and oversight of the state’s American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter workforce.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
A skilled American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter workforce is critical to equitable communication access for all d/Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing ASL users. However, until recently, the requirements for this vital workforce were undefined and/or variable depending on the setting. In 2022, the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) was charged with the establishment of minimum standard qualifications and oversight of the state’s ASL interpreter workforce. Overall, LCD aims to increase the quality and quantity of sign language interpreters working in Louisiana.
Act 128 of 2022
Act 128 of the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature marked an important change for ASL interpreter professionals and the d/Deaf, DeafBlind and hard-of-hearing residents of the state who utilize ASL services. With the passage of this Act, LCD became responsible for establishing the criteria for the professional credentialing of ASL interpreters in Louisiana and for maintaining a registry of ASL interpreters (see Louisiana Revised Statute [R.S. 46:2353]). Historically, the Louisiana Department of Education credentialed educational interpreters practicing in Kindergarten-12 educational settings and the Louisiana Supreme Court regulated interpreters providing services on behalf of the state’s courts. Act 128 established a unified process and system for ASL interpreter credentialing. As of May 2024, the requirements and processes for ASL interpreters to register with the state are currently being defined and will be promulgated in rule under the Louisiana Administrative Code Title 46- Professional and Occupational Standards.
Please visit our FAQ- for more information about minimum standards for American Sign Language Interpreters working in the state of Louisiana
Recognizing that the implementation of Act 128 would introduce changes for the state’s ASL workforce, LCD conducted a comprehensive Statewide Interpreter Needs Assessment in 2022.
Statewide Interpreter Assessment Report
In an effort to better understand the current state of sign language interpreters and the services provided in Louisiana, LCD led a 6-month process engaging interpreters statewide in meetings and other opportunities to provide feedback. This project was facilitated by Innivee Strategies, Inc, as one step toward LCD’s 2021-2024 strategic plan goals that states, “LCD will establish new systems and standards for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting which define, describe, and incentivize new expectations for and oversight of the quality of ASL interpreters, including those in educational settings.”
Click here to read the full Interpreter Needs Assessment report
A summarized version of the report has been provided in ASL, with closed captioning available. Please view the video provided below.. To read the summarized report in written English, please click here.
LCD hosted a virtual public town hall meeting with interested constituents on March 29, 2023, to discuss the latest development of the LCD Interpreter Assessment report, to be able to answer questions regarding the report, and to provide a better understanding of LCD’s next steps for implementing ASL interpreting standards. Please click here to review the PowerPoint shared during the meeting.
Establishment of
Minimum Qualification Standards
Interpreters Working in K-12 Educational Settings
ASL interpreters working in K-12 education settings are central to the fundamental right to a high quality education. Historically, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) credentialed ASL interpreters working in K-12 settings. With the passage of Act 128 in 2022, LCD became responsible for credentialing all ASL interpreters, including those working in educational settings.
LCD has worked closely with the LDOE, interpreters and other constituencies to identify the appropriate standards for interpreters. Below is a timeline of the activities related to the development of K-12 interpreter standards:
To view an announcement about this information in ASL please click the button below.
**Please note, the timeline of events shared on video has since been updated as of April 2024 to reflect current status which can be seen on the two graphics above
LCD hosted a virtual public forum in November 2023 in order to provide an overview of the proposed minimum standards, to allow and answer questions from the public regarding the new standards, and to provide information regarding next steps as they relate to the new standards.
Interpreters Working in Court/Legal Settings
LCD Board of Commissioners agreed to prioritize interpreters working in court/legal settings as the next standards to be revised/developed. The Board also voted at the January 19, 2024 public meeting to defer this work as the first action item of the soon-to-be developed Louisiana Interpreter Registration Advisory Committee (LIRAC)- a formal group of ASL interpreter professionals working under the LCD Board of Commissioners, charged with defining and recommending standards for the ASL interpreter workforce and overseeing grievances. LCD has begun and continues to engage with the Louisiana Supreme Court, Office of Language Access, to determine what steps must be completed to modernize the regulations related to ASL interpreters in preparation for the continuation of this work in fall of 2024.
Interpreters Working in General Community Settings
Upon completion of standards for interpreters working in legal/court settings, the Louisiana Interpreter Registration Advisory Committee (LIRAC), the LCD Board of Commissioners, and LCD staff will begin to address new standards for the remaining interpreter workforce.
What's Next?
LCD will continue to develop minimum standards for ASL interpreters working in various settings, and implement strategies to support the ASL interpreter workforce during all stages of their professional development (please visit the Interpreter Mentoring Page for more support information).
Be sure to visit our website, Facebook Page, and our public quarterly meetings for on-going information. Please contact LCD@la.gov with any questions, or to request to become involved in the development of future standards.