2026 Interpreting for Deaf Professionals Summit: Agenda
A1: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Carly Weyers and Sarah Tubert may both be Deaf, but their communication preferences and accessibility needs can be very different. Carly grew up in a Deaf family and attended a Deaf school, while Sarah grew up in a hearing family and was mainstreamed throughout her education. Despite being close friends, they often have different preferences when it comes to communication and access.
Through personal stories and real-world examples, this workshop explores how Deaf identities and lived experiences can shape accessibility needs. Participants will learn strategies for adapting to different communication preferences, navigating situations where Deaf professionals have varying needs, and creating more effective, individualized access.
Participants will be able to:
- Recognize how Deaf identities and lived experiences can influence communication preferences and accessibility needs.
- Identify strategies for adapting to diverse Deaf communication styles.
- Describe approaches for navigating situations where multiple Deaf consumers have differing access preferences.
- Apply collaboration and flexibility to support more effective and individualized access.
A2: 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:
- Accurately define at least 10 foundational marketing terms.
- List at least three ways of how a specific marketing team uses these marketing terms to guide outreach and campaigns.
B1 | From IEPs to Budgets: Interpreting for Deaf Educational Professionals and Administrators in High-Stakes Settings
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:
- Accurately define at least 10 foundational marketing terms.
- List at least three ways of how a specific marketing team uses these marketing terms to guide outreach and campaigns.
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.
- Identify a minimum of two scenarios that demonstrate the impact of systems engineering in various industries.
- Accurately interpret at least terms that are used during technical discussions related to systems engineering.
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:
- Accurately define a minimum of three core environmental and climate-related terms.
- Describe three workplace norms encountered in a tech environment.
- Describe two specific communication approaches or contextual understandings needed to effectively navigate a tech industry environment.
C2: Same Storm, Different Sails
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:
Session description and objectives are coming soon.
- 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)
- Explain the historical and socio-political background of at least one environmental concept.
- Accurately describe how a specific sign choice can influence the understanding of a sustainability concept.
- Identify at least five elements of a consensus-building process for establishing 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 at least three key differences in data management between academic and business settings.
- Accurately list two common tools or workflows used in each context.
- Create a visual or written 'mental map' of data concepts for one of the two domains.
- Provide three examples of terminology or jargon that differ in meaning between academic and business settings.
E1 | Double Vision: Deaf Professionals Who Provide Access and Also Require It
Some Deaf professionals request interpreting for their own access while also coordinating or providing interpreting for others. This dual role raises practical and ethical questions that interpreters rarely examine: How does a Deaf professional manage boundaries when they are both a service recipient and a provider? How can interpreters collaborate without defaulting to assumptions?
In this session, Dr. Christopher Tester examines these dynamics through research and practice-based examples. Drawing in part on Hauser, Finch, and Hauser’s (2010) work on designated interpreting, we’ll explore:
- How Deaf professionals make decisions about access coordination, including the complexities of preferred interpreters and who pays in business-to-business settings.
- Misconceptions about working with Deaf interpreters and why Deaf–hearing teams are an equity measure even when fees increase.
- Practical strategies for balancing equitable access with transparency, particularly when Deaf professionals are responsible for their own access needs and those of others.
This online session offers valuable perspectives for:
- Deaf professionals seeking leadership empowerment
- Interpreters aiming for more collaborative and effective practice
- Administrators are committed to building inclusive environments.
- Access consultants focused on designing equitable systems.
Ultimately, it redefines what it means to “work with” Deaf professionals, moving beyond traditional models to foster mutual respect, informed collaboration, and innovative access solutions.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify a minimum of three ethical, logistical, and relational complexities faced by Deaf professionals who both use and provide interpreting services.
- Describe a minimum of two strategies for supporting Deaf professionals who hold leadership roles in access coordination and service provision.
- Accurately analyze real-world case examples of Deaf-led access models that center both equity and autonomy.
- Reflect on their own biases and assumptions about Deaf professionals in dual roles.
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 at least two major healthcare structures relevant to DP/DI teams.
- List at least five key factors to consider when developing these teams.
- Accurately summarize the findings of at least two existing research studies on 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:
- Accurately list the key levels of the Hierarchy of Interpreter Needs and describe their role in executive environments.
- Explain at least three common challenges and two success factors when integrating interpreters.
- Outline at least three strategies for building high-level partnerships between Deaf professionals and interpreters.
F2: Behind the Scenes: The Interpreter's Guide to Hollywood
Hollywood has its own language, and we’re not just talking about ASL.
Whether you’re working on a film set, in a rehearsal room, at an audition, or during a press event, entertainment settings come with unique expectations, terminology, and professional dynamics. This workshop offers an insider’s look at the entertainment industry through the perspective of a Deaf actor, director, writer, producer, and accessibility consultant.
Participants will gain practical knowledge, industry insights, and best practices to help them navigate entertainment environments with greater confidence and professionalism.
Participants will be able to:
- Identify common entertainment industry terminology and roles.
- Recognize best practices and professional boundaries for interpreters in entertainment settings.
- Describe common challenges interpreters may encounter in creative and production environments.
- Apply strategies to effectively prepare for and navigate entertainment-related assignments.
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:
- Accurately identify and describe the function of at least three key machining tools.
- Interpret at least five technical terms or processes using classifiers during a supervised role-play.
- Describe the three main stages of a typical machine shop workflow.
- Successfully demonstrate adherence to five basic safety protocols in a simulated shop environment.
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:
- Identify and describe at least three resources or tools available for promoting Deaf-centered language access.
- List a minimum of three collaborative strategies that interpreters and organizations can take to address systemic biases and improve language access services.
Conference Registration
Registration for the 2025 Deaf in Healthcare Summit for Interpreters is now open.