National Sign Language Interpreting Service
National Sign Language Interpreting Service for Deaf Victims
Request Interpreting Services Using This Form
About the Service
Activating Change’s Sign Language Interpreting Service for Deaf Victims provides live, qualified, trauma-informed remote sign language interpretation services free of charge to victim service providers serving Deaf victims of crime.
How it Works – A Simple 4 Step Process
- Request services using this form. You’ll get an email confirming that your request has been submitted.
- Our team will review your request. This can happen as quickly as same-day, and is guaranteed within 48 hours. They will assign your request to the most appropriate interpreter(s).
- You will receive an email confirmation with the name(s) of the confirmed interpreters and the Zoom link for the event.
- You will connect to your assigned interpreter(s) via the Zoom link we provide. The interpreter and the victim will discuss language, then your meeting will begin.
Requests can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our hours of operation for interpreting services are 11am-6pm ET, M-F.
Learn More
Who Is Eligible?
Any victim services organization in the United States is eligible to participate in the service.
At this time, we cannot provide interpretation services for:
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- Law enforcement: on scene response, interview, or investigation
- Prosecution and courts: interviews, investigation, or court proceedings
- Medical: any healthcare services including forensic exams
If you have a question regarding the nature of your assignment, please email us at DeafAccess@ActivatingChange.org to see if your request meets the criteria.
Please note: In order to maintain confidentiality and uphold safety measures, Activating Change does not collect the names of victims in any form of communication.
Our Interpreters
- Qualified. Our interpreters can both receptively and expressively interpret accurately and effectively.
- Trauma-informed. Our interpreters have been trained in victimization and trauma, and they understand how trauma impacts communication.
- Knowledgeable. Our interpreters are familiar with the concepts and terms specific to victim services, as well as the services and systems victims often navigate.
- Experienced. Our interpreters have experience with video remote interpreting and are equipped with high-speed internet, a private workspace, and excellent lighting.
- Diverse. We aim to reflect the diversity of Deaf communities. Whenever possible, we match interpreters and victims who share cultural, racial, gender, and other identities.
Contact Us for More Information
After you have contacted us, we can also provide expert guidance, tools, and resources to strengthen your organization’s capacity to effectively secure, prepare and work with sign language interpreters of different specializations, including Deaf Interpreters and trilingual interpreters.
Toolkit on language access planning for Deaf people
For more information about the interpreter service, please contact us at DeafAccess@activatingchange.org.