© 2024 WNMU-FM
Upper Great Lakes News, Music, and Arts & Culture
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New rules governing sign language interpreters take effect today

clipinterpreting.com

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   New rules take effect Monday which govern the use of sign language interpreters in Michigan. 

The state Department of Civil Rights says people who are deaf or hard of hearing need interpreters with specific skills in different settings.

“There’s a significant difference in the communication that is shared between a doctor and a patient versus what might happen in a training at your workplace,” said Leslee Fritz with the Department of Civil Rights.

“Both communications are important. One has life-altering consequences.”

Up until seven years ago, Michigan had no standards for sign language interpreters. That’s when lawmakers approved a certification system.

But Fritz says up until now anyone certified as a sign language interpreter could be hired in any situation. She says the new rules are a logical next step toward making sure the deaf and hard of hearing have the help they need in certain situations – such as in a courtroom.

“Under these new rules, specific certification levels and experience is required to work in a legal setting,” she said, “where the terminology might be technical and the effect of miscommunication could be life-altering.”

Fritz admits the new rules could create shortages of sign language interpreters in certain fields. That could particularly be a problem in rural areas of the state. But she says the department is confident more people will be trained as interpreters to fill those needs.