Katie Caillavet
November 11, 2001
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
It is hard for a young
person to imagine a time when a structured system for interpreting for the
deaf was not common practice. Believe it or not, the founding of the
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf took place only decades ago at a
workshop at Ball State Teachers College on June 14, 1964. Biographer
of RID's history, Lou Fant, was once quoted saying "The interpreter
scene prior to 1964 was so vastly different from that which exists today
that that it is a strain on the imagination to contemplate it. We did not
work as interpreters, but rather volunteered our services as our schedules
permitted. If we received any compensation it was freely given and
happily accepted, but not expected (www.rid.org)."
The Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf is a nationwide organization with Chapters in all
of the fifty states. Each chapter has its own ideas and practices, but
all of them share the same common goals. The Texas division, named the
Texas Society of Interpreting for the Deaf, was established on Nov. 16, 1963
and is located in Austin. Some of the better known chapters include
the Sacramento Valley division and the Potomac chapter, serving Maryland and
the District of Columbia. These establishments work just as any other
non-profit organizations. Membership is based upon participation and
involvement in the deaf community. Each person must submit an official
application form and must pay the appropriate dues. Each year the
member has the chance to renew his or her membership. There are a
number of purposes for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. The
first, and probably the most important purpose is to further the development
of effective communication skills in interpreting and transliterating.
Also, RID is involved in the exchanging of ideas, opinions, and experiences
concerning interpreting. Members can discuss any problems they may
have or voice questions concerning their work. Members are also
provided with information on speakers, workshops and classes available to
them. Altogether they strive for the attainment of the highest
standards in these communication skills. Acting as a whole, members of
RID help to support the rights of Deaf and Hearing people. They also
work to improve professional and ethical standards for interpreters.
In addition, RID administers the National Testing System that certifies
interpreters. RID prides itself in working to provide the "three
Q's" of interpreting: Quantity, Qualifications and Quality, or more
commonly referred to as the RID Triad (www.rid.org ). This consists
of: training for new and professional Interpreters through the
Professional Development Committee (PDC), and the Certification Maintenance
Program, continued certification through RID's National Testing System, and
self-regulation through a national Ethical Practices System (www.rid.org ).
Even though the Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf has only recently been established, people all
over the world, Deaf and Hearing alike, have greatly benefited from its
creation. The goal of RID is to promote the profession of interpreting
and transliterating American Sign Language and English and this goal is
being accomplished everyday through new people taking up ASL everyday and
new memberships to RID.
Bibliography
Potomac Chapter Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Retrieved Nov.
10, 2001.
<http://www.pcrid.org>
.
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Retrieved Nov. 10, 2001.
<http://www.rid.org>
.
Sacramento Valley Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Retrieved
Nov. 10, 2001.
<http://www.savrid.org>
.