The Creating Opportunities Fund (COF) provides support to interpreters -- and by extension, to the Deaf communities -- from developing countries (or  countries developing  their interpreter profession) in the Australasia/Oceania region to come to Australia for professional development and networking opportunities, including attending the ANC and ITNS as well as sending Australian interpreter trainers to developing countries to deliver professional development.

Interpreters in Australia are fortunate to be able to access training opportunities, have health and safety supports, a Code of Ethics, and to be paid for their work. However, signed language interpreters in developing countries may not share these benefits. Therefore, to support our colleagues in developing nations, the ASLIA Creating Opportunities Fund (COF) was established. Since 2007, ASLIA has supported interpreters from developing countries to attend the ANC and ITNS.

Assistance in this context means providing funds that will allow colleagues from income poor countries to attend the ASLIA National Conference and to support them in:

• Developing a network of contacts that can offer training, support, information and advice;
• Advocating and participating in discussions that affect their work;
• Participating in discussions that affect our profession;
• Sharing experiences and exchanging information.

It is hoped that the Creating Opportunities Fund initiative will receive financial support from interpreter associations, interpreting agencies and from individuals. These donations are essential to the fund to provide support to eligible interpreters.

The application form for COF is released a few months prior to the ASLIA National Conference, which is held around August every year.

If you are interested in sponsoring the Creating Opportunities Fund and/or a delegate please contact ASLIA on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it