Jones, RID President
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John F. Kennedy is quoted as saying: “If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make
the world safe for diversity.” I would think we'd all agree that RID should be a part of that safe place.
Diversity covers so many areas – ethnic background, religion, and age, just to name a few. As
interpreters we can find ourselves working in areas where people who are different than us surround us.
Our sensitivity to diversity and our personal cultural awareness can be easily reveled. How we manage
those situations can have a profound impact on our work and our relationships with clients and
colleagues.
In May 2005 I shared an open letter to the membership regarding Spanish Language Access for national
RID conferences. In that column I acknowledged the work of the Spanish Language Access Work
Group. This group not only helped the board set a Spanish Language Access Policy for national
conferences, but also made other recommendations regarding additional insight and suggestions for an
overall increase in sensitivity and awareness for the leaders and staff of RID. This month I will give you an
update regarding where the board stands on the implementation of recommendations made by the
Spanish Language Access Work Group.
Regarding recommendation for Spanish Language Access Policy The board passed a motion that set
this policy in place.
RID Conference Spanish Language Access Policy:
RID shall provide access at the 2005 conference and all future conferences by assigning teams of
interpreters that are culturally sensitive and qualified in English, Spanish, and Sign Language to all
plenary and business sessions. In addition, access to other conference events will be available to those
who register at least 40 days prior to the conference and request such access.
Rationale
Since the 1997 Long Beach National RID convention, the need for Spanish language access has been
before the Board and conference planners. RID recognizes the impact of changing demographics,
particularly with Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons and service providers in Spanish language
communities. Subsequently, RID accepted Puerto Rico’s application to be an RID affiliate chapter
[Originally called ISPRID; now known as PR-RID] and intends to continue to support those members as
well as other Latino interpreters.
Regarding the suggestion: 1-make it clear this deadline applies to all attendees requesting services and
2-encourages all registrants to keep documentation of registration along with an explanation of what such
documentation of registration entails (i.e. mail vs. on line registration):
The 2007 registration form will state 40 days for all service. The National Office is exploring additional
language regarding encouraging registrants to keep dated their registration documentation.
Regarding the recommendation for Primary Teams, Secondary Teams, Tertiary Teams and identifying
local interpreters when possible: This information has been documented as guidelines for filling Spanish
Interpreting positions for RID conferences.
Regarding the recommendation for Fiscal responsibility would include working with affiliates and the
current new publications coordinator in securing grants, sponsorships and the like to cover costs: The
2007 Conference Core Group will be working with members to secure funds that will be used to assist in
covering the expenses of all interpreting services.
Regarding hiring a Spanish Language Access Coordinator: The position of Spanish Access Language
Coordinator has be added to the list national conference coordinators to hire for the 2007 conference
and beyond. Additionally the board is exploring the option of possibly having an Inclusion / Diversity
Coordinator.
Regarding the Regaining the Latino Community’s Confidence: The board has had “Increased Cultural
Awareness Training” as a topic of several board mini-trainings during scheduled board meetings. In
February, during our face-to-face meeting in San Francisco, the board and national office coordinators
will have a training specifically related to diversity issues.
Additionally, the board members and national office staff have been attending various conferences as
funds and schedules allow. We are still investigating ways to share information gathered at these events
with the membership.
Regarding Commitment to Working Closer with Cultural Diversity in Leadership Committee (CDILC): The
board has taken action on this. We have sought direct input on a variety of programs and activities and
have used CDILC recommendations to make appropriate adjustments when necessary.
Finally there were External Outreach and Internal Outreach recommendations: These recommendations
were related to issues such as training and increasing awareness at all levels of RID. The board is still
looking at options for ways to share more information with the leaders of RID and to increase training.
I will continue to keep the membership informed about the progress being made on these and other
recommendations. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please contact me or
any other member of the board and we will be happy to talk to you.
April 25, 2005
Dear interpreters:
The purpose of this letter is to convey to you the RID National Office’s, the RID Board
of Directors’ and my sincere apologies for sending a message of disenfranchisement to
the Latino/a sign language interpreting community by approving a policy requiring a
minimum of 25 conference registrants requesting Spanish language interpretation in order
to provide services for the 2005 RID national conference. It is important to me and the
other RID leaders and National Office staff that all members of RID feel valued and
respected. I respectfully request that you consider accepting this apology.
Due to the diligent efforts, in the way of a letter-writing campaign, of a group of
dedicated RID members representing Mano a Mano, RID Interpreters and Transliterators
of Color (ITOC), Cultural Diversity in Leadership Committee (CDILC) and individual
members on behalf of the Latino/a interpreting community this serious error was quickly
brought to the RID Board’s attention.
The RID Board responded quickly and in January, the Spanish Language Access Work
Group was appointed comprised of an RID board representative, 2005 conference
planning committee representative, and members of Mano a Mano, CDILC, and ITOC.
The Work Group made excellent recommendations; not only to improve member services
to Latino/a members/colleagues at the 2005 conference, but to also improve member
services at all levels of the organization thus ensuring RID’s commitment to the
philosophy that RID is an essential arena for ALL members in their pursuit of excellence.
Based on recommendations from the work group, on April 1, 2005 the RID Board of
Directors approved the following policy:
RID Conference Spanish Language Access Policy:
RID shall provide access at the 2005 conference and all future conferences
by assigning teams of interpreters that are culturally sensitive and qualified
in English, Spanish, and Sign Language to all plenary and business sessions.
In addition, access to other conference events will be available to those who
register at least 40 days prior to the conference and request such access.
Rationale
Since the 1997 Long Beach National RID convention, the need for Spanish
language access has been before the Board and conference planners. RID
recognizes the impact of changing demographics, particularly with Deaf and
Hard of Hearing persons and service providers in Spanish language
communities. Subsequently, RID accepted Puerto Rico’s application to be
an RID affiliate chapter [Originally called ISPRID; now known as PR-RID]
and intends to continue to support those members as well as other Latino
interpreters.
In keeping with the spirit of being an essential arena for members in their pursuit of
excellence, I would like to extend to you a personal invitation to the 2005 RID National
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Dear ITOC chairs.
The RID Board of Directors is once again seeking your input on an important topic: Spanish language
interpreters for our biennial conference that will be taking place July 10 - 15, 2005.
After reviewing the 2005 conference planning core group's recommendations, the board set a minimum
of 25 requests being needed before the organization would provide Spanish language interpretation.
We have, however, received some concerns about this policy from members and are willing to revisit this
issue.
The board truly believes that RID is a membership driven organization. As representatives of ITOC, we
would like to hear from you. Please share your thoughts on this issue. We need to have your input before
Monday, December 13.
Region Representatives will be sending a similar request to the Affiliate Chapter presidents and I will
following up with those who sent in letters of concern as well as contact the Cultural Diversity in
Leadership Committee. I will give them the same facts and options listed here.
Here are some facts the board has considered with regard to this topic:
* In the past, few attendees have taken advantage of the Spanish language interpreting service (3 in
2003's Chicago conference and 11 at the 2001 Orlando conference).
* For the past several years, RID conferences have "been in the red." The Board has mandated that the
2005 conference be revenue neutral, or better.
*The cost of providing one team (2 individuals) of interpreters for the week of conference is approximately
$5,000. If RID proceeds with offering Spanish interpreters for the full slate of conference activities, it
could mean another $50,000 to the conference budget.
*In casually visiting with attendees at the Region II conference many felt that those Spanish-speaking
individuals who would attend the national conference would be able to access the conference via the ASL
interpreters.
*RID is soliciting Interpreter Sponsorships in the amount of $2,500.00 each (advertised in the VIEWS and
on the web) which covers the expenses of one interpreter.
Possible options include, but are not limited to:
*Providing Spanish interpreters only when 25 requests have been made, whereby the increased expense
and 25 registrations received would provide for a cost-neutral situation.
*Providing Spanish interpreters for the full slate of conference activities, whereby increasing conference
expenses considerably.
*Providing Spanish interpreters for plenary sessions only, whereby increasing conference expenses
minimally.
*Providing Spanish interpreters for plenary sessions, and in the event of receiving 25 or more requests,
providing Spanish interpreters for the full slate, whereby increasing conference expenses minimally.
*Other options the Board has not considered. Please brainstorm and give us some other avenues to
explore.
Again, the board truly believes that RID is a membership driven organization. To this extent, as
representatives of one of the association special interest groups, much weight will be placed on your
thoughts and comments.
We look forward to receiving your comments on this issue. Please send those comments no later than
December 13.
Sincerely,
Angela
Angela Jones, CI and CT
RID President
858-504-2777 (direct phone number)
703-838-0030 (RID National Office)
AJones619@aol.com
www.rid.org