DODHH Releases Interpreter Rules - Public Hearing Scheduled

The Division on Deaf and Hard of Hearing is pleased to announce the completion of proposed administrative rules: Qualified Interpreter - General Rules. These rules cover procedures for application, testing, revocation, suspension or limitation of certification, continuing education, renewals, and grievances, minimum credential requirements and levels, and minimum standards of practice.

The proposed rules are published in written format on the DODHH web site accessible at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/0,1607,7-138-58275_28545---,00.html

They are also available in ASL format on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/midodhh

Notice of Public Hearing included in this e-news: http://michigan.gov/documents/mdcr/Notice_of_Hearing_411786_7.pdf

Division Reaches Agreement with Interpreter Education Programs on Student Practice
The Deaf Person's Interpreter Act did not address the legality of allowing Sign Language Interpreting students the ability to practice. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, DODHH, and Interpreter Education Programs developed an interpretive statement to address the issue. An Interpretive Statement is basically the Department's written opinion about the meaning of a statute. In the Interpretive statement the MDCR indicated that in the Department's opinion the legislature did not intend to ban student internships and it is beneficial to both the students and the deaf community to allow internships. Part of the interpretive statement also called for the Division and the ITPs to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the practice of using students. The MOU clarifies the Interpreter Education Program responsibilities, qualified interpreter / supervising interpreter responsibilities, and the rights of deaf consumers. It also indicates what the DODHH will and will not do in specific instances. Students, qualified interpreters, and members of the deaf community are urged to become familiar with the document. Please see the DODHH website http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/0,4613,7-138-58275_28545---,00.html