Interpreter​/Communication Assistant

Educational Sign Language Interpreter (Certified) – Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD)

Immediate Supervisor:
Lead Interpreter and Lead Deaf Ed Teacher.

• Interpreting
  • Adhere to the Professional Code of Conduct (Ethics) established by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
  • Maintain confidentiality to protect the privacy of students, families, and staff.
  • Provide sign-to-voice/voice-to-sign interpreting, which may include American Sign Language (ASL), a combination of Signed Exact English (SEE) & ASL, and/or oral interpreting, depending on the needs of the student in accordance with their IEP and educational needs.
  • Accompany DHH students throughout the day to interpret/translate spoken language into sign language during activities and instruction in the classroom and other educational settings, including teacher-led instruction, discussions, announcements, films, special projects, pull-out intervention/services, assemblies, field trips, athletic activities, and all incidental information surrounding the DHH student.
  • Provide interpreting for DHH students during meetings such as IEP meetings, parent/teacher conferences, and extracurricular activities as directed. These may extend beyond regular school hours.
  • Assist DHH students with developing communication and socialization skills.
  • Promote student understanding of information presented by reinforcing and reviewing concepts and skills through tutorial support as necessary in a variety of learning activities.
  • Promote independence and inclusion of DHH students.
  • Model self-advocacy and encourage and expect student growth in their independent ability to self-advocate.
  • Research sign language choices for subject matter vocabulary.
  • Identify and discuss with the classroom teacher when modifications to curriculum and materials are necessary according to the student’s IEP.
• Collaboration
  • Participate as a positive, collaborative team member of the Deaf Ed Department by exhibiting ongoing, effective communication, attending department meetings and staff developments, and supporting other Deaf Ed staff.
  • Work with school staff to ensure full access for DHH students in all programs, including extracurricular activities.
  • Work with the classroom teacher, Special Education case manager, and/or lead DHH teacher to ensure that appropriate curriculum accommodations and modifications are utilized.
  • Provide insight into the success of communication strategies and skills by participating as a member of the IEP Team.
  • Confer routinely with the classroom teacher(s) and Teacher of the Deaf (ToD) to be better prepared for interpreting services.
  • Communicate with appropriate school staff regarding students’ progress, abilities, and modifications.
  • Assist the teacher in monitoring student behavior and discipline of DHH students, as authorized.
  • Act as a liaison between DHH individuals, their hearing peers, and faculty members to promote cooperative relationships.
  • Maintain a positive, professional rapport with parents.
  • Participate in teacher/parent conferences, as appropriate.
• Assessments/Evaluations
  • Interpret during Communication Assessments in cooperation with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or ToD for eligibility/FIE requirements. (Certified Interpreter required)
  • Interpret during state-required Special Education Language Acquisition (SELA) testing for DHH students ages 0-8. (Certified Interpreter required)
  • Interpret district benchmarks and/or state assessments (e.g., STAAR, STARR-ALT) as needed. (Certified Interpreter required)
  • Interpret any classroom benchmarks, assessments, or report card skills checks, as necessary.
  • Communicate with appropriate school staff regarding DHH student progress, abilities, and modifications for testing purposes, as appropriate.
• Audio Logial/Interpreter Support
  • Assist school personnel in enhancing students’ overall communication skills through knowledge of interpreter use and audiological management techniques.
  • Monitor students’ audiological needs, such as the effectiveness of hearing aids and other instruments, to improve DHH students’ ability to receive auditory input.
• ECI
  • Be knowledgeable of the ECI program’s purpose and components.
  • Wo…