Disabled: Of a person: having a physical or mental condition which limits activity, movement, sensation, etc (Oxford Dictionary)

A physical or mental handicap that prevents one from enjoying a full normal life or renders incapable of gainful employment (Random house dictionary)

Family and friends that knew sign

Mostly volunteer based setting› Helper Philosophy was adopted more often

than not

Closed Caption, Relay services: Nonexistent

Emergency lights, Phone, and door lights: Nonexistent

Privacy?› Nope, sorry.

Allowed deaf and hard of hearing people to request an interpreter that wasn’t family

To become a qualified interpreter all they needed to know was the manual alphabet› They were not effective as a means of

communication› People complained about paying for a less

than mediocre interpreter

on of the first acts of the federal government to prohibit discrimination based on mental or physical impairment.

Applied only to federally funded operations

Disability (as defined by the federal government): “A persons with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of major life activities. People who have a history of, or are regarded as having a physical or mental impairments.

Major life activities: caring for one’s self, walking, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, learning, etc.

Mandated that deaf or hard of hearing students be educated in the least restrictive environment,› Many public districts mainstreamed their

students Interpreters, speech training, note takers or

tutors.

Problem, the students were not always provided with these services

Introduced in 1989 by President George Bush Sr.

Passed in 1990( since has been modified several times, most current 2008)

Expands prohibition of discrimination to all public businesses and private companies of 15+ employees.

Hearing impairment only becomes a disability if:› Substantially limits life activities› Has in the past limited activities

Interpreters will be provided upon request under threat of citation and fines!!!!

They now have a recognized profession and are compensated› Considered under Auxiliary aids in title

1and in Rehab act sect. 504 The institution of RID (Registry of

Interpreters)› Mandatory membership to be certified› A code of Ethics…no more helpers or

machines!

Interpreter training?› Should have classes focused on the ADA› Prerequisites: Code of Ethics and Deaf

culture› Specialized classes for educational

Interpreters› BA degrees mandatory for ALL interpreters

Majors in Psychology or Elementary school Education

Frishberg, Nancy. Interpreting: An introduction. RID Publication, 1986. Print.

Thomas, Korian. Personal Interview by Bekki Wilson, Rachel Hayes. 11 02 2009.

Oklahoma Office of Disability Concerns, . Title I - Who is an "Individual with a Disability" and a "Qualified Individual with a Disability" n. pag. Web. november 2009. <http://www.odc.ok.gov/ada/ada12.html>.

RID, . "About RID Overview." RID. 2006. Web. 30 Nov 2009. <http://www.rid.org/aboutRID/overview/index.cfm>.