Title
Title
Language Access Plan | New Requirements for American Sign Language Court Interpreters (Action Required)
body
Summary
Summary
The Court Interpreters Advisory Panel (CIAP) recommends that the Judicial Council address the current shortage of American Sign Language (ASL) court interpreters by approving the Texas Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Board for Evaluation of Interpreters as an approved testing entity for ASL court interpreter certification for a period of four years to expand the number of available ASL court interpreters. The panel also recommends that the council direct CIAP to develop a proposal for the council to certify persons with ASL generalist credentials to perform work in the courts.
body
Recommendation
Recommendation
The Court Interpreters Advisory Panel (CIAP) recommends that the Judicial Council, effective January 1, 2024:
1. Approve temporary revisions to the Guidelines for Approval of Certification Programs for Interpreters for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Persons (Guidelines), allowing for an exemption in critical circumstances for a period of four years;
2. Under the exemption, temporarily approve the Texas Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Board for Evaluation of Interpreters as an approved testing entity for ASL court interpreter certification for a period of four years;
3. Direct CIAP to develop a proposal for the council to certify persons with ASL generalist credentials to perform work in the courts; and
4. Direct CIAP to revise the Guidelines and develop a recommendation for an ASL court interpreter certification program approval process that is more responsive to the current interpreter marketplace and testing and certification landscape.
body
Speakers
Speakers
Mr. Hector Gonzalez, Jr., Vice-Chair, Court Interpreters Advisory Panel
Mr. Douglas Denton, Center for Families, Children and the Courts