Expert Sign Language interpreters for Healthcare, Legal and Education Fields

Language Solutions Team is a company that actively participates with our Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. We have more than 20 years of experience interpreting ASL in Pennsylvania and have expanded our presence to 18 States in the US in the past three years.  

In 2021, we expanded our ASL interpretation support by acquiring Sign Language Professionals, a Virginia-based company specializing in legal, educational, and healthcare ASL interpretation. 

Our interpreters are certified by or members of RID. Our organization encourages students and new interpreters to improve and develop the necessary skills to achieve the highest standards.  

The most widely-recognized certifications that attest to an interpreter’s knowledge and skill are: National Interpreter Certification (NIC), Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI), National Association of the Deaf (NAD IV & V), Certificate of Interpretation (CI), Certificate of Transliteration (CT), the Specialist Certificate: Legal (SC:L), and various state credentialing systems such as the Virginia Quality Assurance Screening (VQAS). Other valid certifications include MCSC, CSC, RSC, IC, TC, K-12 (for schools) among others. For more information, please visit RID web site: https://rid.org/certification/available-certifications/# . 

Interpreters are expected to conduct themselves professionally, demonstrating cultural awareness, sensitivity and the ability to cope with stress.  

At LST we select interpreters for an assignment based on their expertise and credentials. The rigorous selection process in combination with the requirement to hold interpreting-related credentials help ensure that LST provides the most qualified interpreters. 

For more information, please visit RID web site: https://rid.org/certification/available-certifications/# . 

Sign language interpreting is a physically and mentally intensive task. Interpreters need to be deeply focused at all times while using their hands, arms, facial expressions, and body movements to communicate. Two ASL interpreters often work as a team to interpret for one event or meeting to reduce the impact of fatigue on the interpretation. In high stakes environments, such as in legal proceedings, interpreters always work in a team in order to act as a monitor, ensuring the most accurate interpretation.   

In some situations, a member of the interpreting team is a native ASL specialist who is also Deaf (often called a Certified Deaf Interpreter, or a CDI). These interpreters often specialize in working with Deaf consumers who are non-native signers or are DeafBlind. They also work where native ASL usage is a priority (such as at public events).  

There are many special circumstances where your situation may require more than one interpreter. For example:  

• Interpreting long periods: When an interpreter will need to work for 1.5 hours continuously or with little break, a team will typically be required. This often includes conferences, all-day trainings, or intense meetings.  
• High-stakes situations: There are times when the usual high-level of accuracy offered by interpreters is not sufficient. For example, a person testifying in court, someone defending their Ph.D. dissertation, a competency hearing, or others, require a second qualified interpreter to actively monitor and correct any errors that occur in the moment.  
• Highly Technical Vocabulary: Environments where participants are highly-trained and use specialized language are a particular challenge for interpreters who do not hold that educational or technical background. For example, interpreters working with an aerospace engineer will typically work as a team to assist each other in ensuring the greatest possible accuracy.   
• Conferences – Presentations – Theaters – Concerts: Complicated presentations with multiple speakers, musical performances, and complex presentations may require a team to ensure the Deaf consumer has a similar experience as other attendees.   

  LST’s scheduling team will ensure that the correct number of interpreters are assigned for your appointment to both maximize accuracy of the service, and your bottom line. 

• On-site interpretations are also known as face-to-face or In-person interpretation

Language Solutions Team offers highly qualified, experienced, and credentialed interpreters for in-person interpretation. Having the interpreter face-to-face with the Deaf or hard-of-hearing client, provides the most accurate interpretation due to being able to see facial expressions and hand signals clearer. On-site interpreting is also needed for Tactile interpreting as this involves touch, for those clients with low vision. On-site Interpretation is particularly useful for meetings, training and to interact with others.

It is perhaps the most common type of interpretation, and particularly useful when a meeting takes place, for business trips and to interact with associates from other countries. 

• Video remote interpreting (VRI) is also part of the Remote Interpreting Services. 

Language Solutions Team offers the same highly qualified and experienced interpreters remotely around the clock. VRI is easy to set up, easy to use, economical, consistent, and cost-effective. A high-speed, stable internet connection is necessary to ensure better quality, clarity and avoid gaps. VRI is usually recommended for short incidental events, and in emergency situations where in-person interpreters are unfeasible. However, it is becoming increasingly more common and with better results due to advancements in technology.