99 Develop Alternative Pathways to Certification
Issue: Not all prospective interpreters find ITPs as the most effective route for them to become interpreters. Alternate pathways to gaining a bachelor’s degree to sit for RID certification are not well documented. This may be particularly true for BIPOC interpreters and those seeking to become Certified Deaf interpreters.
Proposed Solution: MRID, ASL educators, ITP representatives, Metro State University, CATIE Center and others involved in professional development form a working group to develop alternatives to traditional ITPs. MSU has experience with graduates from associates programs attaining their self-designed bachelor’s at MSU. This is one model of preparing prospective interpreters to attain RID certification. Other pathways need to be explored.
Expected outcome: More new interpreters, particularly from underrepresented groups that would not typically go to an ITP, would have some guidance for becoming an RID certified interpreter.
Who is impacted: Potential interpreters
Timeline: 6 months
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98 Recruit Interpreters from Other Professions
Issue: Interpreter shortage
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100 Secure Funding for BEI Certification Scholarships
Issue: Interpreter shortage. Certification tests are expensive, especially for new interpreters without secure income. RID Bachelors’ degree requirement to sit for certification limits the pool of otherwise qualified interpreters. EIPA is only for educational settings. Texas offers the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters (BEI) Certification Program but requires travel to Texas for the testing, which is too expensive for some candidates.
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