Deaf Interpreter Training

Note: This video is intended for participants who have already registered for the training. If you are not registered and
would like to be added to the waitlist or notified of future interpreter opportunities, please email DHH.Training@Illinois.gov.

Image Description: Light brown background. White woman, Dana Craig, with brown hair, eyeglasses, and wears a blue long sleeve shirt with an agency name and state logo on the upper left. State Seal with State of Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.

Dana: The Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission is excited to announce that we will be offering a free Deaf Interpreter Training. Upon completion of the training, you will have the optional opportunity to take the Illinois Deaf Interpreter Knowledge-Based Test (DIKBT) for free only on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Chicago. If you prefer to take the DIKBT at another time, you will be responsible for the cost. Now, we are excited to introduce you to our presenters.

Image Description: Blue background. Brown person, Jerrin George, with black hair, and wears a black shirt short sleeve shirt and Black woman, Carla Shird, with red and yellow headwrap, eyeglasses, wears a red shirt.

Both: Hello all!

Carla: I am Carla (sign name). I am a Deaf Interpreter. I have been interpreting for many years. I have about 13 years of experience working a Deaf Interpreter.

Jerrin: I am Jerrin (sign name), and I am also a Deaf Interpreter. I have been working as a Deaf Interpreter for about 12-13 years.

Carla: We are excited to come to Chicago and provide Deaf Interpreter Training on April 25 & 26, 2025, which will be Friday and Saturday.

Jerrin: What’s exciting is that IDHHC will also offer the free Deaf Interpreter Knowledge-Based Test after our training. The goal of our training is to provide an immersive, real-world experience of working as a Deaf Interpreter. This training is not related to the DIKBT. If you have questions about the DIKBT, please contact IDHHC.

Carla: Real-world training topics? This is a 16-hour training that will cover the following: 8 hours on Friday will focus on the role and responsibilities of a Deaf Interpreter, including processing which analyzes your interpreting role in how you convey messages, techniques, etc. And 8 hours on Saturday will focus on ethics based on RID's Code of Professional Conduct and how it applies to Deaf Interpreters' work, including discussing case examples. What do you do in these scenarios? What are the boundaries? Can you advocate? Or no, I have to stay in my role as an interpreter. This will be a great discussion.

Jerrin: We are excited! We look forward to meeting you.

Both: See you there!