ASLIA - Consider why you need to book an accredited Auslan interpreter

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Consider why you need to book an accredited Auslan interpreter

Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreters, accredited by NAATI, (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) facilitate access to communication between deaf individuals and professionals in any setting within Australia. An interpreter provides access to all parties involved in the communication process, including both the deaf individual and the professional.

In addition, an Auslan interpreter can work in tandem with a Deaf Relay interpreter to enhance the accuracy of communication in settings for deaf people with specific language difficulties, intellectual or mental disabilities or cultural differences.

Australian Sign Language (Auslan)

Auslan is the recognised community language of the Australian Deaf Community, a minority community of people who share a language and identity that is based on their shared experiences of living with deafness in a hearing world. The Disability Discrimination Act of Australia provides that all deaf people have the right to an Auslan interpreter for communication access.

Unaccredited 'Interpreters'

The legal rights of Deaf people can only be assured, and the integrity of the interpreting process can only be safeguarded, by booking NAATI Para-Professional and Interpreter level interpreters in all settings. By not employing appropriately accredited Auslan Interpreters, the professional and/or agency could be at risk of breaching Anti-Discrimination legisliation and open the way for a litigation or investigation process.

In addition, family members and friends are never appropriate interpreters in professional settings. The whole interpreting process may be undermined due to lack of competence, bias, or personal interest of the family member or friend. Appropriately trained and accredited Auslan and Deaf Relay interpreters will adhere to the Code of Ethics and the quality of the interpreting process is assured.

Accredited Interpreters Maintain Professional Standards

ASLIA strongly encourages booking Auslan Interpreters that have ASLIA membership.
ASLIA Interpreters should have additional training and regularly undertake ongoing professional development in interpreting. This training may be provided by ASLIA or an interpreting agency, in conjunction with relevant professionals.
Interpreters will be bound by the ASLIA Code of Ethics to facilitate communication accurately and impartially between all parties. They must execute this role with total absence of bias and must maintain strict confidentiality. Family members and friends are not appropriate interpreters in most settings. The whole interpreting process may be undermined due to lack of competence, bias, or personal interest of the family member or friend. Appropriately trained and accredited Auslan and Deaf Relay interpreters will adhere to the Code of Ethics and the quality of the interpreting process is assured.
Auslan interpreters will adhere to the ASLIA Occupational Health and Safety Policy, keeping to recommended times of working with breaks and appropriate recovery time.

In summary, ASLIA expects that Auslan and Deaf Relay Interpreters will work together, when called upon to do so, in a professional manner adhering to the ASLIA Code of Ethics at all times.