January 26, 2007

Dear Interpreter:

The Alabama Association of the Deaf (AAD) and the Alabama Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf (ALRID) are working together to seek the
possibility of establishing an Interpreter Training Program right
here in the state of Alabama.

Alabama is experiencing a severe shortage of sign language
interpreters and our goals to recruit more into the field. One of
our tasks is to find out the current educational credentials and
intent of interpreters to pursue a bachelor's degree. Keep in mind
that recent changes to RID's certification means that interpreters
seeking certification after 2012 will be required to hold a
Bachelor's degree. We need to gather the numbers to back up our needs
to prospective universities and to the Alabama legislature.

If you will, we would appreciate your taking time to answer the
survey. Please e-mail the survey back to us. Also, if you are
interested in pursuing a Bachelors, please include a letter
expressing such interest. We need this information by February 2,
2007. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of
us for clarification.

Also, if you know of anyone who is in the interpreting field or
interested in becoming an interpreter, please make copies of the
survey to distribute and ask them send a letter of intent.

Thank you,

Judith M. Gilliam
President, Alabama Association of the Deaf
E-mail: judithmgilliam@...

Karen McLean
President, Alabama Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
E-mail: kchsv@...



Please complete the survey below.








Interpreter Training Program Survey
January 26, 2007


Name (Optional)

Highest Degree Attained:
(Please circle specific degree as appropriate)


Degree Major Where

High School
AA
BA/BS
MA/MS
EdS
PhD./EdD
Others

Interpreter Credentials:
(Please circle or fill in on what you have)

IC TC CSC RSC CDI CI CT CI/CT
NIC MHIT SL: L

NAD Level:__________

EIPA Level__________

GA QA Level________

MS QA Level ________

FL QA Level ________

FL EIE Level ________

Employment:

Are you a full time interpreter? If so, what type of interpreting
situations? (Circle all that apply.)
Freelance
Educational Setting
Community Service
Video Relay Center

If you are a part time interpreter, what situation do you often
interpret? (Circle all that apply.)
Freelance
Educational Setting
Community Service
Video Relay Center


_________ Yes, I am interested in acquiring a degree in Interpreter
Training.


_________ Yes, I am interested in attending evening and weekend
classes in interpreting (non degree
seeking)


Thank you for your time!