Deaf individuals using the legal system are entitled to equal access to the courts. How can practitioners and court partners best coordinate to engage American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters when needed? Join us for a discussion of laws and rules pertaining to the use of ASL interpreters, how to choose the right kind of sign language interpreter for your meeting or hearing, and best practices for working with interpreters and court partners to make the experience seamless and effective for deaf clients.

Program objectives: 

• Explain the legal obligations to accommodate Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the court system.
• Recognize the different qualifications for interpreters, and which interpreter is appropriate for various circumstances.
• Learn best practices for coordinating with court, legal, and community partners to ensure effective access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.

1. Legal background                                                                              

• R.C. 2311.14
• 28 C.F.R. 35.130(f), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Sup.R. 88 and 89

2. Variable nature of Communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing        

    

3. Appointment of American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters                

• SC:Ls
• Registered ASL
• Other (NIC, CI/CT, CSC, NAD IV, NAD V, NAD III)
• Certified Deaf Interpreters

4. Best practices                                                                                           

• Notifying the court
• Getting the right interpreter(s)
• Monitoring performance
• Multiple interpreters 

5. Resources for Deaf Victims of Violence  Rose Larson, Stephanie Smith Bowman

• Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE)

• DeafPhoenix 

   

Speaker Biographies:

Bruno G. Romero - Manager of the Language Services Section at the Supreme Court of Ohio. 

Bruno G. Romero is the Manager of the Language Services Section at the Supreme Court of Ohio. His primary responsibilities include, testing and credentialing of court interpreters, training on matters related to language access, policy development and language access compliance. 

As part of the strategy to design and implement practical guidelines of operation for the use of court interpreters, Romero has developed a number of resources for Ohio courts, namely, a Report on the Use of Interpreters in Ohio Courts, Interpreters in the Judicial System: A Handbook for Judges and The Role of Interpreters in the Legal System (Video), Here are your Right Hands: Exploring Interpreter Qualifications, University of Dayton Law Review, The Cultural Misconceptions about Deaf People and the Challenge for the Courts (Video) and a number of bench cards and other language access resources.

Prior to managing the Language Services Section, Romero was a program manager in the Dispute Resolution Section also at the Supreme Court of Ohio and before that, he was a court interpreter for five years in the Sixth Judicial District of the New York State Unified Court System and a mediator with the Community Dispute Resolution Center in Ithaca, New York. He holds a B.S. in Economics and an M.A. in Labor and Policy Studies from the State University of New York.

Rose Larson- Executive Director, Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE)

Rose Larson is culturally Deaf and fluent in American Sign Language. She has been with Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE) since September 2013, first as the advocate and outreach coordinator/assistant director, and now serving as Executive Director. Prior to this role, she volunteered with DWAVE’s Board of Trustees. Larson is also trained as a Sexual Assault Response Advocate, volunteering with DWAVE in partnership with the Sexual Assault Response Network of Central Ohio. Before her employment with DWAVE, she worked with Deaf people with disabilities for 11 years. Larson is a registered advocate with advanced standing in the state of Ohio, and she is also the first certified Deaf forensic interviewer in both the state of Ohio and nationally. Larson is a national and state presenter, training advocates, police officers, nurses, and community partners.

Stephanie Smith Bowman –Executive Director, DeafPhoenix 

Stephanie Smith Bowman is a social worker whose 15 years of psychotherapy and advocacy experience come with another important qualification: She, too, is deaf. Visionary and innovative in mobilizing key stakeholders; culturally specific anti-violence and first responder entities towards meaningful exchange of emerging best practices in strategic planning, capacity building, and leveraging resources towards accessible antiviolence services for Ohio’s underserved communities. She is results-oriented: consistent success rate with expertise in program design/enhancement, implementation, evaluation, budget development, and compliance standards of federal and state-funded grant objectives. Established in 2015, DeafPhoenix is a statewide anti-violence organization composed of Deaf and Hard of Hearing professionals serving Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, Hearing Children (Adults) of Deaf Adults (CODA), and Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA) crime victims through advocacy, empowerment, and education. 

1.50 CLE Hours

This CLE will be held on Zoom. Login to the website and click the "Register" button to register. You will receive a confirmation email from the Columbus Bar AND an email from Zoom containing information about joining the meeting.