ASL Interpreting Services

Connections for Independent Living offers a variety of services to provide equitable access to accurate communication for the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing community.

Our nonprofit organization has a skilled team of qualified, certified interpreters who provide professional American Sign Language Interpreting. Our services include remote video interpreting for clients throughout the United States. For clients in Colorado and Wyoming, we can provide in-person or remote interpreting, depending on your needs and situation. Our team connects organizations and individuals with the best interpreter for each situation based on the language need, interpreter preference, event type, and geographic area.

To learn more about the ways we serve those who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, please contact our office and ask to speak with our Interpreting Coordinator.

Our interpreting services

Connections Video Interpreting Room station
Connections Video Remote Interpreting Station.

Connections provides professional interpreting services throughout the United States through remote video interpreting.  We have a professional remote video interpreting studio in Greeley, Colorado that can provide top-quality services. For clients in Colorado and Wyoming, our interpreters can also provide in-person ASL interpreting. We can interpret for you anywhere that telephone and Internet service are available!

Our Connections scheduler works to match the best Interpreting Service Provider for each client based on language need, customer and client preference, geographic area, skills, and experience.  Certified and non-certified Interpreting Service Providers are available. Each has been carefully evaluated to match the appropriate needs of the service situation and the client. Please let us know if you have a preference when you schedule your interpreting.

Some helpful interpreting services definitions

ASL interpreting

The act of facilitating communication between a visual communicator and an auditory communicator is accomplished using American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English. ASL interpreting occurs in two ways: simultaneously and consecutively. According to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), simultaneous interpreting requires interpreters to listen and sign, or watch and speak, at the same time. The interpreter begins to convey a sentence in the target language while listening or watching the message being delivered in the source language. Consecutive interpreting “…begins only after the speaker has spoken or signed a sentence or paragraph. Interpreters may take notes to help create a coherent and accurate translation.”

Transliteration

Transliteration is a prominent mode of interpreting. Interpreters transliterate between spoken English and a sign representation of English. Often times, elements of ASL interpreting are incorporated but overall, it follows an English word order.

Tactile interpreting

Tactile Interpreting is a method of interpreting used by individuals who are deaf-blind. In this mode, an interpreter creates signs in the person’s hand, while using other tactile cues to describe affect and the environment.

Oral transliteration

Oral transliteration is a less commonly used visual access system. Oral transliterators silently repeat the English being spoken, and use specialized techniques to supplement the mouthing (including gestures, pointing, etc.).

Cued speech transliteration

Cued speech transliteration is a less commonly used visual access system. It is unique in that the transliterator uses handshapes situated in different locations near the mouth to represent English phonetic markers.

Certified Deaf Interpreter

Holders of the Certified Deaf Interpreter certification are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and have demonstrated knowledge and understanding of interpreting, deafness, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture. Holders have specialized training and/or experience in the use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication. Holders possess native or near-native fluency in American Sign Language and are often recommended for a broad range of assignments where an interpreter who is deaf or hard-of-hearing will be beneficial.

Haptic signals

Haptic signals are “drawn” onto the body – typically on the upper part of the back or the upper part of the arm. They provide the possibility of a detailed visual interpretation during communication.

Video interpreting

Video interpreting uses video that provides English to American Sign Language, or American Sign Language to spoken English as a voice-over.

Audio description

Audio description is a form of narration providing information surrounding key visual elements in a media work for the benefit of blind and visually-impaired consumers. This includes a film or television program, or a theatrical performance. These narrations are typically placed during natural pauses in the audio, and sometimes during dialogue if determined to be necessary.

Legal ASL interpreting

Legal American Sign Language Interpreting is necessary when legal situations and complex documents that involve personal freedoms are involved. This includes court cases and law enforcement situations. A Legal interpreter is required in these critical instances.

Trilingual interpreting

Trilingual interpreting is when three languages are involved in a conversation. An example is communication that includes English, Spanish, and American Sign Language. One person who is qualified to interpret between all three languages is necessary for clear communication in these situations. Connections can schedule multiple interpreters to provide this service.

Request an interpreter

Follow the interpreting requests link below to schedule your service.

Additional questions about our interpreting services?

Please contact us for timely assistance. In scheduling, please let us know if you have a preference regarding your interpreter.

Useful resources

Standard practices from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. [Note: clicking on a link opens a new window outside of this website.]