INTERPRETER SHORTAGE, LICENSING TOPICS OF FORUM ON DEAF SERVICES

A shortage of interpreters for the deaf in Southeast Missouri and the licensing process required for those interpreters were two primary topics of discussion at a public hearing in Cape Girardeau Friday night.

About 40 area residents, including deaf individuals, parents of deaf children and interpreters for the deaf, attended the hearing, which was sponsored by the Missouri Commission for the Deaf. The commission in traveling the state collecting information to see what services the deaf need and what laws they would like to see passed.

Although guests were encouraged to bring up any topics about which they were concerned, much of the discussion centered on interpreter issues.

"It's not a problem of only Southeast Missouri," said Roy Miller, commission executive director. "The lack of interpreters is a statewide problem, and in fact, a nationwide problem. No state in the country has enough qualified interpreters."

An unlicensed interpreter from Sikeston who attended the hearing said that since a 1999 Missouri law requiring interpreters to be licensed and certified, she declines to interpret for deaf people, many of whom call her two or three times a week pleading for her services.

Miller said that the law requiring licenses and certification for interpreters was meant to even the playing field for their customers.

"What the system does is say that anybody who is a professional interpreter ought to be able to go and provide a person with at least a minimal level of service...to any and all deaf and hard-of-hearing customers," he said.

Two other unlicensed interpreters said they feel that the process to become certified interpreters is too stringent and requires too much travel time to other parts of the state. One suggested that the commission take a team out to other parts of the state at least twice a year.

Miller said interpreting applicants can set up an appointment and go to Jefferson City almost any day and time of the week.

Miki Gudermuth, director of the Semo Alliance for Disability Independence, said her organization tried to organize a long-distance interpreter evaluation session in Cape Girardeau last year, but the response was disappointing.

"We sent out letters. We followed up with phone calls. We left messages on answering machines," she said. "We had only two responses. So we felt there was no interest."

Miller said he also is working to be able to evaluate and certify interpreter applicants using an Internet-based, long-distance learning system, although he said it will require state funding.

"I just simply have to get down on my knees and beg," he said. "Please understand I can't do it in a month. We can't get it done in six months because it costs money."