Question 1

What is American Sign Language (ASL)?

Accepted Answer

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete natural language with its own grammar, syntax, discourse structures, and regional variation. ASL is not derived from English and should not be understood as "signed English." Like spoken languages, ASL evolves across communities, generations, and contexts.

Question 2

What is the difference between an ASL interpreter and a translator?

Accepted Answer

Interpreting and translation are related but distinct practices. Interpreting typically occurs in real time between signed, spoken, and/or visual languages, while translation involves producing a rendered version of recorded, written, or prepared content. In signed language work, these distinctions can become more complex, particularly in areas such as intralingual interpreting, International Sign, adaptation work, and multilingual communication environments.

Question 3

How do I know if I need an interpreter?

Accepted Answer

If Deaf participants, employees, audience members, students, clients, or stakeholders are involved, communication access planning should be part of the event design process from the beginning — not treated as a last-minute accommodation. The appropriate interpreting team depends on language preferences, setting complexity, participant needs, audience size, technical content, and whether international or multilingual access is required.

Question 4

What is Deaf culture?

Accepted Answer

Deaf communities are linguistic and cultural communities centered around signed languages, shared histories, visual communication practices, and collective experiences. Deaf identity is not defined solely through audiology, but through language, access, community, and lived experience. Deaf experiences are diverse across countries, languages, races, and educational backgrounds.

Question 5

How do Deaf interpreters and hearing interpreters work together?

Accepted Answer

Deaf interpreters and hearing interpreters may work collaboratively as part of a co-interpreting team. Depending on the setting, language needs, and communication goals, Deaf interpreters may engage in intralingual interpreting, translanguaging practices, International Sign interpreting, or culturally and linguistically adaptive interpretation strategies. Effective teams are collaborative rather than hierarchical, with roles shaped by language access needs rather than rigid assumptions.

Question 6

When should a Deaf interpreter be used?

Accepted Answer

Deaf interpreters may be appropriate in multilingual, international, highly specialized, fast-paced, or linguistically complex environments. They are also commonly used when communication involves significant cultural mediation, translanguaging, International Sign, non-standard language use, DeafBlind communication, or situations requiring enhanced visual accessibility strategies.

Question 7

How far in advance should I book interpretation services?

Accepted Answer

Advance scheduling improves interpreter matching, preparation quality, and overall communication access outcomes. In New York City, scheduling at least one month in advance is strongly recommended, with six weeks often ideal for standard assignments. Conferences, theatrical productions, multilingual events, Deaf interpreter teams, international meetings, and highly specialized assignments often require three to six months of advance planning due to coordination, preparation, and limited interpreter availability. Requests made within two weeks of an event may face significantly reduced availability, particularly for experienced teams and complex assignments. However, With Direction still works to accommodate urgent and last-minute requests whenever possible.

Question 8

Do you provide remote/virtual interpreting services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With Direction provides remote interpreting, virtual conference access, multilingual coordination, and remote consultation services for meetings, webinars, international events, trainings, and digital content. Remote work may include ASL-English interpreting, Deaf interpreter teams, International Sign interpreting, translation projects, and accessibility consultation.

Question 9

What information do you need to provide an accurate quote?

Accepted Answer

Helpful information includes event goals, participant language preferences, location or platform details, scheduling, audience size, technical subject matter, presentation materials, accessibility considerations, and whether Deaf interpreter teams or international access may be needed. Early planning allows for stronger interpreter matching and preparation.

Question 10

Why does With Direction ask about the Deaf client’s preferences?

Accepted Answer

Because the Deaf client is the person most directly affected by the quality of the interpreting match. Often the person requesting services is not Deaf — an administrator, event planner, employer, attorney, or coordinator — and may not know the Deaf client’s language preferences, communication style, prior interpreter relationships, or access needs. Whenever possible, we ask for the Deaf client’s preferences first, then match the interpreter team to the person, setting, and communication demands of the assignment, so access decisions are made with the Deaf person rather than around them.

Question 11

What if the Deaf client is not the person submitting the request?

Accepted Answer

That is common. We can still begin the request, but we may ask the requester to include the Deaf client, designated Deaf staff member, presenter, or participant in access planning when appropriate. We may ask whether the Deaf person has preferred interpreters, whether a Deaf interpreter is preferred or needed, what language or communication style works best, whether they have worked with us before, and how they will participate (observing, presenting, performing, testifying, advocating, or leading). The goal is to prevent access decisions from being made around the Deaf person instead of with them.

Question 12

Why does interpreter matching matter more to the Deaf person than to the hearing requester?

Accepted Answer

For the hearing requester, the interpreter may appear to be a service provider assigned to a time slot. For the Deaf person, the interpreter is the person through whom communication, participation, professional presence, and sometimes legal or institutional outcomes are mediated. That match affects comprehension, trust, pacing, tone, register, accuracy, and the ability to participate fully. This is why we treat interpreter placement as access design, not simple scheduling.

Question 13

Is submitting a request the same as booking an interpreter?

Accepted Answer

No. A submitted request is not a confirmed booking. Interpreter coverage is confirmed only after written client approval and written confirmation from With Direction that interpreter team placement has been completed.

Question 14

Can my quote serve as the contract?

Accepted Answer

For one-time or per-event requests, yes — an accepted quote may serve as the event-specific written agreement when it includes scope, pricing, payment terms, cancellation language, and acceptance language. Recurring services may require a standing agreement.

Question 15

Do recurring clients need a separate contract?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Organizations requesting regular or recurring services may need a standing agreement that defines the rate model, scheduling process, cancellation terms, billing cycle, and communication expectations.

Question 16

Do you offer nonprofit or community partner rates?

Accepted Answer

Community partner, nonprofit, cultural institution, and mission-aligned rates may be available. They are reviewed case by case and must be confirmed in writing before services begin.

Question 17

Why might more than one interpreter be needed?

Accepted Answer

Interpreter teams may be required because of assignment length, complexity, audience interaction, Deaf presenter involvement, language direction, platform constraints, or professional standards. Teaming supports accuracy, continuity, and interpreter well-being. Single-interpreter requests are reviewed case by case.

Question 18

Can I request a Deaf interpreter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Deaf interpreter involvement may be recommended or required depending on the setting, language needs, audience, or access goals.

Question 19

Do you provide International Sign interpreting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. International Sign requests require careful review of the setting, audience, speaker languages, platform, preparation materials, and whether Deaf presenters or panelists are involved.

Question 20

Are recordings included?

Accepted Answer

Live interpreting rates do not automatically include recording or distribution rights. If the event will be recorded, livestreamed, posted publicly, or reused, please disclose this at booking. Additional licensing or usage terms may apply.

Question 21

What if my event changes or I need to cancel?

Accepted Answer

Changes in date, time, location, format, language needs, platform, recording plans, or scope may require an updated quote or agreement. Cancellation terms depend on the engagement type and agreement; coordination fees may be non-refundable once scheduling has begun. Final cancellation terms are provided in writing with the quote or agreement.

Resources & FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Requests, Matching & Agreements

Research & Standards

Common Terminology

Research & Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning & Booking an Interpreter

Sign Language & Deaf Culture

Deaf Interpreters & Team Interpreting

How Requests, Matching & Agreements Work

Research, Standards & Professional Resources

International Sign & Global Interpreting Standards

WFD-WASLI International Sign Accreditation System

ISAAB Accreditation Handbook

WFD-WASLI International Sign Code of Conduct

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI)

Interpreting Studies, Deaf Interpreting & Translation Research

Deaf Interpreters at Work: International Insights

Toward a Deaf Translation Norm

Gallaudet University — Intralingual Skills for Interpreters

Gallaudet — Fundamentals of Interpreting

Gallaudet — Interpreting Research Program

AIIC — International Association of Conference Interpreters

Accessibility, Language & Communication

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Overview

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)

National Association of the Deaf (NAD)

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)

Common Terminology

Research & Publications

Still Have Questions?