Interpretation Services
Sign Language Interpreting
Employee & Family Resources' Sign Language Interpreters are Iowa Licensed and Nationally Certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. In addition to staff interpreters, we also maintain a network of highly skilled contract interpreters. All interpreters are held to the highest ethical standards, Code of Professional Conduct, required by the National Association of the Deaf and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Additionally, interpreters are required to earn CEUs to maintain quality of services.
We offer interpreting services in American Sign Language (ASL), contact variety sign language, English signed systems, tactile interpretation, and spoken English. Teamed interpreters are available for assignments exceeding one hour. Fee-for-service interpretation is available to the community (i.e. medical, social services, trainings/conferences, employment, and more.) All of Employee and Family Resources' programs are accessible. Simply request a sign language interpreter when you make an appointment with one of our programs or contact us to arrange services with the program(s) listed on our website.
The benefits of hiring an interpreter, other than the obvious compliance with State and Federal laws, are the accurate and nonbiased relaying of information. Successful deaf employees depend on clear communication of employment expectations, safety instruction, and can offer employers a unique perspective on production improvements and efficiencies. Customers are satisfied, employees are successful, and clients succeed when communication is effectively facilitated!
Education
Employee & Family Resources offer a number of trainings on Deaf Culture and the use of interpreters. Our highly acclaimed workshop "Deaf, Deaf World" has received statewide attention as a moving and impactful diversity training. This workshop illustrates what it might be like for individuals to live in a world where the dominant mode of communication (visual/gestural) is different from one's own (oral/aural). In the "Deaf, Deaf World" the tables are turned on hearing people. For a portion of this training, participants are not be allowed to use speech to communicate, but rather use whatever skills and ingenuity they have available to get their information, needs, or requests across to the workshop leaders. Participants then have an opportunity to discuss their experiences and the barriers faced.
For more information or to requests any of these services, please contact EFR Interpretation Services.
DSCIOWA YouTube Channel
Videos for the deaf community, starring the interpreting skills of EFR's own Peggy Chicoine and Jeff Reese!
Contact Interpretation Services
Contact EFR Interpretation Services to request sign language or spoken language interpreting.
Voice
515-244-2297
TTY
515-288-9023
Fax
515-243-5879
Video Phone
216.81.179.241
216.81.179.242
To return Video Phone (VP) calls, EFR must use your IP Address (not VP phone number). If you don’t know how to find your VP's IP Address, please watch these ASL videos: