The passage of the ADA 22 years ago was a watershed moment in civil rights history, as it was the first time that the law contained protections for the civil rights of deaf and hard of hearing people and other people with disabilities.
The National Association of the Deaf was heavily involved in the passage of this critically important law that provided the right to sign language interpreters and captioning access for deaf and hard of hearing people in many areas such as employment, state and local governmental services, and public accommodations. Also under this law, no one could legally be denied a job or services simply because a person is deaf or hard of hearing.
"Despite 22 years of this law, discrimination and inequality remains. Yes, much work remains to achieve full equality for all, and to reach this goal, the NAD is ready to work with its members and allies to overcome all forms of discrimination and audism." said NAD Chief Executive Officer Howard A. Rosenblum.
The White House and federal agencies as well as nonprofit agencies are marking this date with ceremonies, celebrations, and hearings. The NAD Vice President, Secretary, and Staff Attorney will be present along with other advocates at the ADA Celebration at the White House on July 26th. We will join many other advocates from the disability community at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee markup hearing to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. In addition, NAD CEO Howard A. Rosenblum will participate in the ADA Anniversary Roundtable on Disability Employment hosted by Senator Harkin. This Roundtable will include Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Delaware Governor Jack Markell (the new Chair of the National Governors Association), Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, as well as other key leaders in government, the disability community, business and philanthropy.
Join us and celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of the ADA, and more importantly, become a NAD member and help us make it possible to achieve full equality for deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States!
source: http://www.nad.org/news/2012/7/celebrating-22-years-ada
Anonymous Shopping: How Much Sign Interpreting Agencies Really Charge in the UK
Posted on August 13, 2012
I decided a few weeks ago that what the profession needed was a bit of mystery shopping, so I contacted all the agencies on the list via email and requested a 'signer' for a small business conducting a recruitment interview for an apprentice, one of which was deaf. We were flexible on times, but needed the 'signer' for an hour in the morning. After getting a response I sent an email back with a confused query about qualifications and registration. You can see the responses for yourselves. All discussions took place via email and I have kept the responses should anyone wish to challenge the information provided. My personal opinion is that as a general rule, interpreter led agencies come out on top.
AGENCY QUOTE NOTES
Aditus
£120 + travel + £30 admin fee
Claimed to only use fully qualified and registered interpreters
Couldn't provide anyone in house for the time requested, offered to find an alternative from their databases
Included full terms and conditions
Explained the registration process clearly.
Action on Hearing Loss
£168 + travel
Claimed all interpreters used were qualified and registered
(3 hr minimum)
Appa
RSLI – £50 per hour
Offered to help me apply to ATW to cover costs – then their fee becomes all inclusive
CSW – £45 per hour
Explained the difference between interpreter and CSW as interpreter has level 6 BSL and CSW level 3 or 4
(2 hr minimum)
Recommended we use a level 4 CSW
Offered me an interpreter for the afternoon even though I had requested the morning
Applied Language Solutions
Unknown
Emailed. No response.
Bee Communications
£250 + VAT + travel
Offered advice on interviewing a deaf person
Try to offer fully qualified (level 5) called MRSLI
Said I probably didn't need that level and could book a cheaper trainee
Later offered someone fully qualified and to lower the fee to £240 inclusive
Big Word
£50 (3 hour minimum)
Claimed that registered and qualified signers were only needed for 'official representation' such as courts, but not for job interviews
Total cost = £150 + VAT + travel time + expenses
Offered to locate an interpreter local to me so as to save on travel costs
BSL Beam
N/A
Stated straight away that they were not an agency, but explained their position in the market
Offered some reputable specialist agencies local to the area
Offered a detailed and comprehensive explanation of the NRCPD registration process
Explained the risks of using someone unqualified
Provided an explanation of Access to Work
BSL Link4Comm
£136.50 + travel
Claim to only use experienced NRCPD registered interpreters
(3 hr minimum)
Mentioned equality legislation and the impact of using unqualified people
Mentioned code of conduct
City Lit (Sign Here)
Unknown
Transparent – said they didn't have anyone available until Sept
Redirected me to the NRCPD website – told me how to book direct to save money
Gave me an indication of industry standard fees to expect and pointed me towards information on working with an interpreter
Fully explained what registration and qualification meant – only organisation to correct my use of the term 'signer' and explain the difference
Outlined the legal ramifications of using a 'signer'
Clarion
£159 + travel + VAT
Said "don't necessarily need a fully qualified interpreter but you would want minimum level 3."
(3 hr minimum)
I asked if level 3 was enough, the response was that it depends
Codex Global
Unknown
Refused to quote without full information and details
Cohearentvision
N/A
No one available – pointed me towards the London Interpreters website
Communication ID
£125 + VAT
Explained the difference between RSLI and unqualified.
Claim to only use RSLI
Mentioned ASLI and NRCPD
Deaf Agency
One off fee of £42 (first time customer)
Said "We like to keep our costs down and try to be a flexible as possible"
Usually £126 + travel + VAT
Claim all staff are registered
Deaf Direct
Unknown
Recommended booking an agency locally and offered some contact details
Mentioned NRCPD and recommended booking someone fully qualified, checking registration status and then explained why this was important
Told us we could save money by booking an interpreter directly from the NRCPD website
Explained ATW and provided a link to the website
Deaf Positives
£145 + VAT + travel
Claimed that a registered interpreter was required but not essential
Clarified what RSLI meant
Said "The other type of sign language interpreter is Registered Trainee Interpreter and they are trainees from approx level 1 to level 3."
Deaf Umbrella
£143.14 inclusive of travel and VAT
Told me that MRSLI's were more expensive
(2 hr minimum)
Said " Unless your candidate has specifically requested a fully qualified Interpreter, a lower level of sign support would be completely appropriate. "
MRSLI did not need to be booked unless client specifically requested one, but they take weeks to book in advance
They had a member of staff available to interpret
Suggested ATW as a way of covering the cost of interpreting and a member of staff could help
Diversus
£162 + VAT + travel
Pushy – kept requesting my full details and a confirmation
Sourced an interpreter before I'd even confirmed I wanted one
Essex Interpreting
£120 + travel + VAT
Claim to use only registered interpreters. Mostly qualified, some JTI
Femaura
Unknown
Said "Level 6 is full qualified"
Only really wanted to talk over the phone
Interpreting Matters
£170 + VAT
Claim to only use registered interpreters
Full explanation of NRCPD registration process
Price dependent on interpreter fee
Explained ATW
Explained the ramifications of using unqualified people
Islington Council
N/A
Explained that they only cover council bookings in Islington
Recommended booking a registered interpreter
Mentioned ASLI
Offered a guide for industry standard freelance fees
Just Communication
£210 + VAT
Claim to "only use qualified registered interpreters"
K-International
Unknown
Emailed twice. No response.
Language Empire
£175 + travel + VAT
Said "Interpreters with a Level 4 is the minimum qualification we use..."
(3 hr minimum charge)
Fees are for 'Special Disability Interpreting' – Charges are the same for CSW's and Interpreters, 'Finger Spelling', 'Deaf Blind Manual' & 'Deaf Blind Hands On' & 'Lipreaders'
Language is Everything
Wouldn't state their charges
Claim to use qualified & registered interpreters
Stated interpreter industry standard charges as:
Clear about the legal ramifications of using someone unqualified – Mentioned DDA
£90-£130 + travel
Referred me to ASLI
Language Line
N/A
Outsource all bookings to Clarion
Lexicon Sign Stream
Unknown
Explained the qualification and registration process in detail
Explained minimum charges and industry standard fees
Offered to source a local interpreter
Merrill Corporation
£260 + VAT + travel
Claim to only use qualified and registered interpreters
Mentioned NRCPD and safeguarding and standards
Provided an attachment outlining the roles of BSL interpreters, STTR & Lipspeakers (NRCPD registered) – all comprehensive and accurate
MLIS
Unknown
Claim to only use qualified translators and never trainees
Very non committal until had all of my details
Neal Communication (NCA)
£150 + travel + VAT
Asked about qualification levels but preferred to speak over the phone so no clear response
(3 hr minimum)
Newham Language Shop
£120 + VAT
Claim to only use qualified interpreters and do not ever use unqualified interpreters
Offered to email some advice on how to work with a "signer"
Onestop Agency
£50 per hr, 3 hr min + travel
Claim to only use fully qualified interpreters or trainee interpreters
Total £150 + travel
Recommend not using level 3 NVQ signers and only use those on the register
Say their charges are based on interpreter 3 hour minimum charges
Offered a brief explanation of using a BSL interpreter
Pearl Linguistics
£70 per hour
Claim "we have access to more BSL interpreters than any other language agency"
(3 hr minimum)
Fully explained the difference between a level 3 signer and what it means to be fully qualified and registered
Total £210 + travel + VAT
Said "As to your situation, I believe you should be fine with a "level 3".
Positive Signs
Initially free – money accessed through government scheme
Claimed to only ever use qualified or experienced personnel
Later avoided disclosing their charges, just said "variable"
Free' interpreters available through apprenticeship scheme, funded using public funds
Prestige
£289 + VAT
Said all their interpreters were BRCPD registered (could have been a typo) and explained that all people registered had to submit evidence of qualifications
Mentioned the code of conduct that interpreters were expected to follow
Mentioned the three hour industry standard minimum fee and their charges reflected that
Quick Lingo
£250 + VAT
When quote was challenged, the response was "we charge for the service which includes travel time, travel expenses, plus minimum interpreting time charge."
Said "Level 3 is sufficient for this assignment and we can provide at least that."
RAD
Unknown
Emailed twice. No response.
Remark!
£120 + £10 travel + VAT
Very pushy, tried to sell me a BSL course
Offered a RSLI
Said "Costings for a qualified interpreter can be very expensive as there are not many qualified interpreters out there "
Sold themselves as deaf led and community focused. Profits fund activities in the deaf community.
Said they could only find an interpreter (in house) for the afternoon and no interpreters were available for the morning; did not offer to source a freelancer
I had requested a morning booking. Said short notice meant no other interpreters were available unless I wanted to change the date
Rosetta Translation
£75 per hour
No response when I enquired about qualifications
(3 hr minimum)
Half Day £300. + travel + VAT
Sign Language Direct
£250 + VAT (3 hr minimum)
Said "Since this regards an interview, the 3rd level shall be fine." – in response to my query about qualifications
Half Day £300 / Full Day £450 (1 interpreter)
Said that fully qualified interpreters were only 'obligitory' for police and social services
Half Day £600 / Full Day £900 (2 interpreters)
Sign Solutions
£145 + travel + VAT
Checked interpreter availability and quoted based on the interpreter fee – told me where the interpreter was travelling from
Offered to negotiate travel expenses
Signing Works
£135 + VAT + expenses
Explained industry standard booking half day or full day
Bristol based – offered a comparative fee.
Claim to only use qualified interpreters for job interviews
Advised about ATW
Explained the complexity of BSL levels and why it was specialist and required some who was qualified
Signs In Vision
£35 per hr + travel + £15 admin fee
Mentioned NRCPD & ASLI & recommended checking for badges
(3 hr minimum)
Explained the NRCPD registration included CRB, insurance and qualification
Total £120 + travel
Included a Deaf Awareness document
Included T&C with explanation of NRCPD & ASLI at the top
Silent Sounds
£144 + travel
Recommended a Trainee Interpreter for the interview
Highlighted the time involved with training
SL-I-D
£120 including travel
Mentioned ATW and reclaiming costs
(Half day minimum)
NRCPD registered
Explained the ramifications of using someone unqualified
SLBF
Unknown
Emailed twice. No response.
Surrey Council
£150 + travel + VAT
Claims to only use registered interpreters
(First Point)
(3 hr minimum)
Terp Tree
£170 + travel + VAT
Explained industry 3 hour minimums
(3 hr minimum)
Claim to only use qualified and registered interpreters
Follow up email sent with client recommendations
(Will waive fee if unhappy with service)
Mentioned ATW
The Sign Language Bank
Unknown
Emailed twice. No response.
Today Translations
Said it can be fine for some signers to "freely pass on the meaning of spoken langauge" but as a general rule they won't risk it.
Added that "Job interviews are stressful for everyone. If you add hearing problems on top of that...you can imagine how wrong it can go!"
Said "Most of sign interpreters grew up in a household were one or both of the parents were deaf"
Explained that becoming a sign langauge interpreter requires study and practise
Total Communication
£200 including VAT and travel
Told me the interpreter quote was for fully qualified. After I asked about level, I was told that they were "Level 6 , Trainee Interpreter. So it is above Level 3″
Ubiquis
£300 + VAT + travel
Claimed to only use fully qualified and experienced interpreters
Offered information about qualifications and registration
Stated that unqualified interpreters would charge less
Offered a local alternative to their company
UK Language Solutions
£60 per hour + £30 per hour travel
Said "A level 3 qualified interpreter may be acceptable for some interpreting assignments"
(2 hr minimum)
But claim to only use qualified and registered interpreters
Veritas Language Solutions
£164.60 + £32 VAT
Aimed to source an interpreter close to the booking to save on travel
Said the interpreter had a two hour minimum charge, but would not state whether they were qualified even though I specifically asked
Wolfestone
£75 + VAT
Requested information about qualifications but received no response
Additional hours £50 per hour
This entry was posted in ... BSL, deaf, deaf access, interpreting, sign language and tagged agencies, BSL, Deaf, Interpreter, mystery shopping by interpreteranon.
7 thoughts on "Anonymous Shopping: How Much Interpreting Agencies Really Charge"
1. Sally Paull on August 13, 2012 at 23:03 said: oh yes ......so the anonymous mystery shopper called "Emma Biel" playing ignorant... trying to put words over to us in an e mail ( there was no phone conversation ) such as ... another agency offered to do the booking for £500.00 I must be in the wrong job she said .....yeah right...not very professional and certainly not too clever, whats wrong with the list as it is ? lets see who is brave enough to do a mystery shop around amongst freelancers varying prices for what they are really worth.... why do interpreters feel they need to do a mystery shop on agencies is beyond my thinking. This list looks fairly okay to me, I can live with it. at least some of us can ensure Deaf people are being matched up with the best terps and getting a quality service at the same time perhaps terps have too much " time on their hands" to do mystery shops geddit ? Log in to Reply
◦ Steve Savery on August 14, 2012 at 07:31 said: Personally, I think 'mystery shoppers' are a great idea for all industries and I found this very interesting. Not so much the price, as you appear to have focussed upon, but the varying degree of professionalism and ability to understand the client requirements. I have paid more, in other industries to this, just because others were either slow at communicating or failed to understand the requirements properly. Log in to Reply
2. Pingback: Anonymous Shopping: How Much Interpreting Agencies Really ...
3. Jules Dickinson on August 14, 2012 at 06:30 said: Leaving aside the way in which the mystery shopping exercise was conducted (and it is a real pity if the tactics described were in fact used) I find it incredibly depressing that the message from a number of companies is 'level 3 is sufficient'. It is indicative of the increasing erosion of standards in the profession, particularly in the 'Access to Work' field. It is sad that 'interpreting agencies' are happy to collude with this process and I struggle to understand their justification in allowing people with no interpreter training to work in this field. Shame on all of them. Log in to Reply
4. Paul Neal on August 14, 2012 at 09:14 said: I agree that mystery shopping is a good way to identify standards of quality. I'm for it. Can this "Emma Biel" (as named in Sally's response) contact me via NCA to give me further feedback on how we did? We'd like to know if there's anything we can work on, improve upon. The information given above is limited of course, hence this request! Log in to Reply
5. positivesignslondon.com deafapprentice.com on August 14, 2012 at 10:55 said: Hi Paul Going on from there .. I would be happy to forward you e mails from / to "Emma Biel" so that you can see how vague and amateur the original request was – I knew it was a mystery shopper immediately since the e mail had clues, though I thought it might be linked to our Inclusive Apprenticeships campaign – see http://www.deafapprentice.com and so we played their game too ! Its high time for agencies to support each other, even if terps dont like us Log in to Reply
◦ interpreteranon on August 14, 2012 at 11:25 said: Hi Sally, The important points of this exercise are to show that agencies are using level 3′s for important assignments such as interviews and disregarding the registration system to increase their profit. The exercise also shows how many agencies are charging a horrific amount for providing an interpreter at an interview and it is the interpreters that get labelled as expensive. I am sorry if you feel interpreters do not like agencies. It is not quite as simple as that. There may always be a need for agencies unless other solutions are found. What interpreters witness and do not like is agencies who spread misinformation, disregard registration and the standards that Deaf people and interpreters have fought for years and the charges that occur for what is often a brief service. The agencies that came out best were often the interpreter, and some Deaf, led agencies. Any agency providing a good service to the Deaf community by using registered interpreters, who keep their costs down and who inform their referrers of registration categories has nothing to worry about from a mystery shopper's survey. It's about time this industry was transparent and accountable to the Deaf community. Jennifer Smith Owner of blog
◦ source: http://interpreteranon.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/anonymous-shopping-how-much-interpreting-agencies-really-charge/
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