Interpreter Awareness Training

ASLIA received funding from NAATI to create and deliver training for businesses, organisations, service providers and the wider community to increase understanding and awareness of how to engage with interpreters and best practice protocols. This is achieved by delivery of an informative educational session that can be delivered either online or face to face. The Interpreter Awareness Training was designed from community consultation and aimed at supporting improved outcomes for all parties when working with Sign Language Interpreters.

Our trainers come with a wealth of experience and can deliver training in a range of industry contexts. Example industries include:

  • Government Agencies
  • Health Care Service Providers
  • Factory settings
  • Hospitality
  • Education Settings

If you are interested to know how your business, organisation or community group can better work with Sign Language Interpreters to improve communication outcomes, please select your trainer by clicking on their image and using the ‘book me’ button. Complete the form and the trainer will respond directly to you.

The Interpreter Awareness Training course takes 1.5 hours. By negotiation with your trainer, it can be delivered face-to-face or via Zoom. The course costs $350 per session, additional fees may apply for face-to-face sessions.

Belinda Roberts

Belinda spent much of her youth with the Deaf community in Northern NSW sitting her NAATI in 2009 and becoming a certified interpreter in 2017.

Belinda works for a range of Auslan/English interpreting services, as well as working in adult education and as a Disability Support Coordinator (Deaf and HoH) for TAFENSW (North).

Belinda has experience in developing educational products (including Auslan and interpreting) for adult learning and managing multidisciplinary teams. Holding a Bachelor of Clinical Science and currently undertaking the Graduate Diploma of Auslan English Interpreting at Macquarie University, she brings a solid focus on outcome based projects.

When not working, Belinda enjoys being with her young family in the great outdoors travelling whenever possible.

Bernie Chapman

I have been working in the deafness sector for over thirty years and really enjoy the consultancy and training aspect of my profession. I am a NAATI Certified Interpreter Auslan <>English working in Brisbane metro mostly in medical, mental health and community settings. Utilising a

strengths- based approach to learning allows me to capitalise on the diversity within the group leading towards an empowering outcome for the participants. My preference is for face to face sessions but can adapt to online training when required.

Christy Filipich

Introduction in Auslan here: https://youtu.be/sWAAWpXw7Oc

Christy is a practising Auslan/English Certified Interpreter in Fremantle, WA with 20 years’ experience in the field. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Auslan-English Interpreting a Master of Translation and Interpreting Studies from Macquarie University, and a Master in Disability Studies (Sensory Disability). Christy also holds a Cert IV in Training and Assessing and has previously lectured on the Diploma of Interpreting at North Metropolitan TAFE in Perth, WA. She has been on the committee of ASLIA (WA) in various capacities since 2004 and has a passion for supporting interpreting practitioners and the industry to ensure the Deaf community has access.

Janine Kirkup

I am a NAATI Certified Interpreter working in Perth, Western Australia, with a Masters of Interpreting & Translation Studies as well as over twenty years’ experience. My experience includes working education, training, government, business, medical and entertainment fields, as well as conference interpreting. In addition, I also have experience in training and mentoring other interpreters. I am happy to provide interpreting services and training both face-to-face in Perth.

Mandy Dolejsi

I gained my Para Professional NAATI accreditation in 1986 and my Professional level accreditation in 1989.

Working in Canberra means that I have a wealth of experience working in government and politics and have interpreted for every Prime Minister since Bob Hawke in 1983.

During the Canberra Bushfires I was interpreting the press briefings for ACT Government Ministers and the Commissioner for Emergency Services.

During the Covid Pandemic I was interpreting for the Prime Minister, the Federal Health Minister and the Chief Medical Officer during their press briefings. At the same time I was also interpreting the press briefings of the ACT Chief Minister, Minister for Health and the Chief Medical officer.

I also enjoy interpreting in medical and community settings.

I taught Auslan and Auslan Interpreting at the Canberra Institute of Technology for over 20 years and supported applicants through their NAATI examinations.

Rachel Sperinck

Rachel received her NAATI certification in 2017. In 2020 she revolutionised the interpreting space by launching the first ever interpreter booking app “PAH!”. These days she is the Founding Director of her company, Secretary of the NSW/ACT ASLIA Committee and led the creation of the Interpreter Awareness Training project. When away from work, Rachel can be found soaking up nature’s beauty by the beach or unwinding over good food.

I am willing to provide training via Zoom or face-to-face in my local Sydney area.

Sarah Strong

I am a Certified Interpreter with experience interpreting and training in NSW, ACT, Vic and now live and work in SA. I interpret in a range of contexts and particularly enjoy health and employment settings. When I’m not interpreting, I am in the classroom or designing engaging and meaningful learning experiences for a range of learners. I am happy to provide IAT training face-to-face or online (via Zoom or other appropriate online platforms).