If you are a business owner or event planner in the Washington DC area, you may wonder when you must provide an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the type of business you operate and the size of your events. To ensure success is crucial to know when ASL interpreters in Washington DC are required.
Type of Business
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sign language interpreters must be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities when necessary to ensure effective communication. If you own a retail store or provide other services that require verbal communication between customers and employees, you must provide an ASL interpreter upon request. Therefore ASL services are provided in a full array of settings, including educational, government, medical, private, commercial, community, and performing arts.
Size of Events
The second factor to consider is the size of your events. If planning a small event, such as a meeting or training session, you are only required to provide an ASL interpreter in Washington DC, upon request to ensure effective communication. For larger events, such as conferences or conventions, the DC languages Access Act obligates to provide equal access and participation in services, programs, and activities for residents of the District of Columbia who cannot (or have limited capacity to) speak, read, or write English.
The Benefits of an ASL Interpreter
An ASL interpreter can help deaf and hard-of-hearing people communicate with others. They can act as a go-between for people who don’t share a common language, making it easier for Deaf people to get information and participate in activities. Additionally, interpreters can help to improve communication between deaf and hearing family members, which can help to strengthen relationships.
If you have questions about when to hire ASL interpreters in Washington DC, we are happy to address your concerns at Global YNS. Reach out today by visiting https://globalyns.com/