2025 Interpreting for Deaf Professionals Summit: Agenda
A1: Marketing 101 for Interpreters: Key Terms & Concepts
Not sure what marketers mean by “branding,” “positioning,” “conversion” or “lead generation”? Or how to sign marketing, sales, advertising and why they’re different signs. This session decodes common marketing jargon and explains how these concepts apply to your interpreting.
Participants will be able to:
- Define foundational marketing terms in accessible language.
- Understand how marketing teams use these to guide outreach and campaigns.
A2 | Perspective on Interpreting for Deaf Professionals
Do you view the Deaf professional you work with as a consumer? Should that perspective shift? This workshop will explore shared experiences and mindsets of both Deaf professionals and the interpreters who work with them. We'll examine how boundaries can become blurred over time, especially in long-term partnerships, and how to maintain healthy, professional relationships.
Additional topics include effective teaming strategies—particularly when substitute interpreters are involved—the specialized skill sets and ethical considerations required in this unique context, and how to navigate situations where the Deaf professional is the subject-matter expert, especially when the interpreter may not fully grasp the technical content. Throughout the workshop, real-world stories and examples from the field will be shared and discussed.
Participants will leave this interactive workshop with:
- An understanding of the distinct boundaries required when working with Deaf professionals and how to avoid overstepping into personal territory.
- An understanding of how to navigate team dynamics, especially when a substitute interpreter joins the assignment.
- The ability to Identify specialized skill sets needed, and understanding how confident, clear articulation impacts perceived power and professionalism.
- Strategies to adapt your interpreting approach with the awareness that the Deaf professional holds a position of authority or expertise—and how to respectfully and effectively support that dynamic.
B1 | From IEPs to Budgets: Interpreting for Deaf Educational Professionals and Administrators in High-Stakes Settings
This session is designed for sign language interpreters to gain deeper insight into the experiences of Deaf and hard of hearing educational professionals. The panelists will share firsthand accounts of how interpreters’ choices profoundly impact their professional interactions—from the nuanced language in an IEP meeting to the sensitivity of budget discussions, crucial staff collaborations, and delicate parent engagements. This interactive discussion will highlight common issues that arise, delving into how your linguistic register, cultural mediation, and even your presence can influence tone, convey nuance, manage power differentials, and ultimately impact understanding and agreement. Come prepared to gain direct insights from our panelists and elevate your interpreting to ensure these professionals are accurately and effectively represented in critical settings.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify specific challenges and communication nuances that Deaf educational professionals and administrators face in critical settings like IEP meetings, budget discussions, and parent/staff engagements.
- Discuss concrete strategies for interpreters to proactively adapt their linguistic choices, cultural mediation, and presence to enhance clarity and accurately convey the intent and tone of Deaf and hard of hearing professionals.
- Develop actionable approaches for pre- and post-assignment collaboration with Deaf and hard of hearing educational professionals to optimize interpreting services and foster more equitable professional interactions.
B2 | Engineering the Gap: An Introduction to Systems Engineering for Sign Language Interpreters
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the role of systems engineering is pivotal in ensuring the seamless integration of complex systems. This presentation aims to empower sign language interpreters with foundational knowledge of systems engineering principles, fostering a deeper understanding of the technical environment in which they operate. By exploring key concepts, methodologies, and real-world applications, we will illuminate the critical intersections between engineering and communication, enhancing the interpreters’ ability to convey technical information effectively. Together, we will embark on a journey to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and effective communication, ultimately enriching the interpreting experience for all stakeholders involved.
Session objectives include:
- Understanding the Fundamentals: Introduce the core principles of systems engineering, including system lifecycle, requirements analysis, and integration processes.
- Exploring Real-World Applications: Highlight case studies that demonstrate the impact of systems engineering in various industries, showcasing its relevance to the interpreting profession.
- Enhancing Communication Skills: Equip interpreters with the vocabulary and concepts necessary to accurately interpret technical discussions, ensuring clarity and precision in communication
- Fostering Collaboration: Encourage dialogue between engineers and interpreters, promoting a collaborative environment that values diverse perspectives and expertise.
- Empowering Professional Growth: Inspire interpreters to embrace continuous learning in the technical domain, enhancing their professional capabilities and confidence in interpreting complex subjects.
C1: Ctrl+Alt+Interpret: Tech 101 for Interpreters
Tech jobs are everywhere — and so are deaf professionals working in them! But for interpreters, tech spaces can feel like stepping into a new world full of unfamiliar terms, fast-paced conversations, and a whole lot of acronyms. Ctrl+Alt+Interpret is a light, beginner-friendly session designed to give you the tools and confidence to interpret more effectively in tech settings. You’ll learn common concepts, workplace norms, and how to handle those “Wait… what are they even talking about?” moments with grace. No coding, no jargon overload — just a helpful introduction to the kinds of language, context, and culture that can make or break effective interpretation in the world of tech.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify and comprehend common technology-related concepts, terminology, and workplace norms encountered in tech environments.
- Employ effective strategies to interpret unfamiliar technical jargon, acronyms, and fast-paced discussions with clarity and accuracy.
- Adapt communication approaches and contextual understanding to navigate the unique language, cultural nuances, and interaction styles prevalent in the tech industry.
C2: The Interpreter's Influence: Shaping Communication in Professional Settings
This session explores the often-underestimated, yet profound, impact interpreters have on professional interactions. As someone who relies on interpreters, I’ve seen firsthand how their linguistic choices, cultural mediation, and even their presence actively shape communication. We’ll delve into how an interpreter’s decisions can influence tone, convey nuance, manage power differentials, and ultimately impact understanding and agreement. Through discussions drawing on the presenter’s personal and professional experiences, this session will help participants better appreciate the interpreter’s role as a co-creator of meaning and learn strategies to optimize communication in diverse professional environments.
This session will:
- List at least three distinct ways interpreters actively shape communication beyond literal translation.
- Articulate two or more examples of how an interpreter's choices can impact power differentials.
- Propose at least two actionable strategies for interpreting encounters when working with Deaf professionals.
D1: Decoding the "Green" Lexicon: A Deep Dive into Sustainability Terminology
In this session, you’ll become familiar with key terms and phrases commonly used in sustainability discourse: “the green lexicon.” We will focus on developing contextual skills when handling specialized green vocabulary in real-time interpreting settings.
Participants will be able to:
- Recognize and define core terms in environmental and climate-related discourse (e.g., biodiversity loss, carbon neutrality, regenerative agriculture, just transition)
- Understand the historical and socio-political background of key environmental concepts
- Reflect on how sign choices can influence the understanding of sustainability context
- Work toward developing a consensus on universally accepted signs for frequently used sustainability terms
D2: From Citation to KPI Dashboard: How Academia and Business Build & Manage Data Differently
Academic researchers and business analysts may both “work with data,” but what that actually looks like can be drastically different. This session will guide interpreters through the contrasting mental models of data in academic and business contexts. You’ll explore how data is collected, stored, analyzed, and shared in each domain—from the citation-driven world of academic research with static files and one-time analyses, to the fast-paced, value-focused world of business data dashboards, pipelines, and KPIs. By understanding these differences, interpreters will be better equipped to anticipate terminology, clarify intent, and support meaning-rich interpretations in data-heavy environments.
Participants will be able to:
- Describe the key differences in how data is managed and valued in academic vs. business settings.
- Recognize common tools and workflows used in each context (e.g., R and CSVs in academia vs. SQL and dashboards in business).
- Develop mental maps of data concepts tailored to each domain to better support real-time interpreting.
- Identify terminology and jargon that may differ in meaning or significance between the two settings.
- Apply strategies for clarifying and conveying complex data concepts more effectively during interpretation.
E1 | The Cost of Winging It and the Value of Preparation: Getting Ready to Work with Deaf Professionals
How much do you really need to prepare before interpreting for Deaf professionals? And what happens when you don’t? This immersive workshop invites you to experience the impact of limited preparation firsthand. We’ll unpack why prep matters, then move into activities to examine what can happen when we don’t know what’s coming. We will explore how preparation impacts clarity, credibility, and representation of the Deaf professional. You’ll leave this session with practical ways to prepare more effectively—and ensure your next assignment reflects your true skill, not your best guess. Because being ready isn’t just about feeling confident—it’s about doing justice to the message and the professional behind it.
Participants will be able to:
- List reasons to prepare when interpreting for Deaf professionals
- Assess discrete elements of an ASL-to-English interpretation
- Use non-evaluative language to discuss interpreting work
- Identify ways to prep for assignments with Deaf professionals
- Use prep material to inform their interpreting of ASL presentations
E2 | Building and Sustaining Effective Designated Healthcare Interpreting Teams
Designated healthcare interpreting occurs within complex health systems that influence the partnership. This session explores the structural and institutional dynamics that influence interpreter–Deaf professional relationships, including career stages, organizational parameters, and evolving field demands. We’ll examine how professional/interpreter teams form and how to enter these relationships with professionalism and intention. Participants will leave better equipped to describe these systems, relationships, and the research from the last decade that informs this work.
After attending, participants will be able to:
- Describe the major healthcare structures within which deaf/hard of hearing (DP) physicians and designated interpreters (DI) work
- List key factors to consider and relational strategies to develop or enhance DP/DI high reliability teams
- Summarize existing research to inform DP/DI work in healthcare
F1: Transcend: Seamlessly Integrating Interpreters into the C-Suite
How can rising Deaf professionals and interpreters build a partnership that thrives at the highest levels of leadership? Roberta Mather—a 25-year veteran in federal leadership, international policy, and strategic communications—introduces the Hierarchy of Interpreter Needs, a practical and nuanced framework informed by lived experience and national-level inquiry. Drawing from decades in the field and findings from nationwide workplace surveys, this session explores how Deaf professionals and their designated or emerging interpreters can co-create synergy, elevate impact, and unlock untapped potential in executive environments.
Participants will be able to:
- List the key levels of a conceptual Hierarchy of Interpreter Needs and describe their role in executive environments, including the dynamic between the Deaf professional, interpreter(s), and hearing colleague (the triad).
- Explain common challenges and success factors when integrating interpreters in leadership settings.
- Outline strategies Deaf professionals and interpreters can use to build effective, high-level partnerships.
F2: Unseen Filters: How Interpretation Nuances the Perception of Men
This illuminating panel discussion will delve into the often-overlooked influence of interpretation on how Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing individuals may be perceived in various professional and social contexts. We will explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which an interpreter’s choices—from linguistic register and tone to non-manual signals and cultural mediation—can shape perceptions of masculinity, authority, and interpersonal dynamics. The discussion will consider how these “unseen filters” might impact interactions, influence professional relationships, and contribute to or challenge existing gender stereotypes within professional settings and beyond. We will examine practical examples, discuss ethical considerations for interpreters, and foster a critical understanding of the profound impact of interpreting on the construction of identity and perception.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify specific linguistic and non-manual interpretation choices that can influence the perception of men.
- Discuss ethical considerations and potential biases related to gender portrayal in interpreting.
- Develop strategies for interpreters to enhance awareness and promote a more nuanced and accurate representation of male individuals.
G1 | Interpreting for Deaf Professionals in Precision Machining and Manufacturing
This workshop introduces interpreters to the world of precision machining and manufacturing. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of common tools, processes, and terminology used in machine shops and technical programs. Through hands-on vocabulary practice, real-world examples, and classifier development, interpreters will build confidence working in this technical and safety-focused environment.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify key machining tools (e.g., lathe, mill, CNC machine) and their functions.
- Interpret commonly used technical terms and processes using appropriate classifiers in ASL.
- Describe the typical workflow of a machine shop or training program.
- Apply basic safety protocols relevant to interpreting in shop environments.
G2: From English to ASL: Mastering Native-Like Production
This workshop will explore rarely discussed principles of ASL syntax, supported by specific, practical examples, that interpreters should be aware of and work to master. We will also briefly discuss some essential English-to-ASL translation strategies that will help with effective interpretations.
Participants will be able to:
- Define best practices for role shifting.
- Explain the difference between two essential translation strategies: denominalization and personalization.
- Identify at least 3 ways to separate or group signs within a sentence.
H1 | Driving Deaf-Centered Interpreting: Shaping the Future of Language Access
To close the 2025 Interpreting for Deaf Professionals Summit, this panel discussion will explore the current state of language access for Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing professionals, and anticipate emerging trends, including those that disproportionately impact this community. We will delve into best practices for Deaf-centered interpreting, discuss the challenges faced in various professional settings, and consider collaborative opportunities to shape a future where effective and equitable communication is no longer a barrier to the full participation and advancement of Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing professionals.
Participants will be able to:
- Explore resources and tools available to interpreters for promoting Deaf-centered language access and staying informed about relevant regulations and best practices in professional settings.
- List a minimum of three collaborative strategies that interpreters and organizations can take to address individual and systemic biases and, ultimately, improve the delivery and management of Deaf-centered language access services.
Conference Registration
Registration for the 2025 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters is now open.