Town Halls & Workshops
This page is for YOU, our interpreters!
You should be able to find information about upcoming town halls and workshops so you can plan ahead. The goal is to ensure that communication is open and transparent between you and ASD Community Interpreting.
February 1st & 2nd, 2025
Interpreting for DeafBlind
within Medical Settings
1.0 CEUs
OPEN TO ALL CERTIFIED INTERPRETERS!
Saturday - 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
This workshop explores the types of interactions that occur in medical settings between DeafBlind-Interpreter-Medical individuals, the interaction challenges that naturally occur, the linguistic and technical challenges for interpreters, working in interpreting teams and the tools that interpreters can employ to navigate these interactions effectively for a DeafBlind patient.
We will focus a special lens on how issues of oppression can emerge in medical settings for DeafBlind participants and how to utilize tactile space to better convey complicated medical information. This course will be conducted in ASL and is structured to allow for practice at applying the presentation concepts to real-world interpreting encounters.
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MassRID is an approved continuing education sponsor. This event is offered at up to 1.15 Professional Development CEUs at the little-to-no-previous-knowledge content level. CEU applicants must attend both days in order to earn CEUs, and must attend more than 80% of the classroom time to be considered for credits. A CEU request form will be required after the event.
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ASD, DBSAN, and MassRID seek to promote an environment which is free from discrimination.
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Certified and pre-certified interpreters are welcome to join.
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Capacity of 60 participants
PRESENTER BIOS -
Cai Steele
Presenter
Photo Description: White person, backwards black cap, black hoodie Cai Steele is a DeafBlind artist and teacher living in Massachusetts. Cai is a believer in language access and equity for DeafBlind individuals. Cai currently works as an elementary teacher, Adjunct professor of ASL, Assistant Director of DBSAN (DeafBlind Support and Advocacy Network) and advocate with a focus on early childhood intervention for Deafblind children. Cai is currently working with advocacy groups in Massachusetts to improve DeafBlind access to museums, science centers and theaters. At present, they hold an MAEd, MA: Deaf Education. ToD (Teacher of the Deaf).
February 8th, 2025
Introduction to Legal Interpreting
within the Connecticut Court System
0.6 CEUs
OPEN TO ALL CERTIFIED INTERPRETERS!
This workshop is designed to give interpreters insight into the CT Judicial System, interpreter protocols, common types of legal proceedings, and frequently used legal terminology.
*This is the first in a series of legal workshops designed to prepare interpreters for working in legal settings and situations.
PRESENTER BIOS -
Fatima Silvestre
Presenter
Photo Description: White woman, mixed brown hair, black glasses. Fatima Silvestre, CDI, currently works full-time freelance. She maintains her own private practice as an interpreter working in various settings, press conferences, medical, DeafBlind, and conference work. She obtained her Deaf Interpreter Certification (CDI) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf series in 2008-2009 as one of the first cohorts to participate in RDI. She has participated in Project Climb and has most recently served as one of the facilitators. She previously worked in the field of mental health for more than 13 years prior to becoming an interpreter. She was also involved in the original Mentorship Program and is currently a mentor for a number of novice deaf interpreters in the field of interpreting. She received a B.A. in Human Services from Springfield College.
Mary Sue
Owens
Presenter
Photo Description: White woman with shoulder length blonde hair standing outside in front of trees. MarySue Owens has been an interpreter and educator all of her life. Her love of language and teaching has been evident since she was a little girl playing school with her neighborhood friends. She formalized her education with degrees in Sociology and Education and her interpreting with the RID CSC and the NAD V. Her fascination with the law and its processes motivated her to continue her training and obtain the RID SC:L. MarySue has been providing trainings and workshops for over 30 years and believes that it is through her teaching that she continues to learn. It is her goal to keep learning, and teaching for many more years. Although technically retired, MarySue continues to interpret, primarily in court, and hopes this training will help to recruit additional teammates.
May 17th, 2025
Introduction to STEM Interpreting
Terminology and Concepts
0.6 CEUs
CURRENTLY IN THE WORKS!!
PRESENTER BIOS -
Previous Workshops
August 18th, 2024
Communities of Practice
An Introduction
This workshop will introduce interpreters to the concept of Communities of Practice (COP) and its approach to collaborative peer dialogue.
COPs are systems of collective critical inquiry and reflection focused on building a shared identity and collective intelligence garnered over time.
This workshop will be FREE!
The goal is to begin the discussion of COPs and hopefully establish different groups to discuss the work that you all do in various settings and for various clients. The intent of COPs is to provide a space for colleagues to get together and support each other with professional growth, as well as help provide high-quality and consistent services to the community we serve.
October 25th - 27th, 2024
Advanced Medical Interpreting
1.5 CEUs
This workshop will enhance and refresh the experienced interpreters’ knowledge of classifiers and hand shapes used in the medical environment. Each interpreter will gain 1:1 feedback from a team of skilled Deaf and DeafBlind presenters.
THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT CHANGE...
Due to additional ear-marked ARPA funds specifically focusing on enhancing DeafBlind services in CT, we have decided to dedicate an entire workshop that highlights interpreting for the DeafBlind Community.
The cost will be FREE for CT interpreters and at a reduced price of $150 for out-of-state interpreters!!!
The full amount of CEUs are still available for this weekend!
Friday, 10/25 - 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Saturday, 10/26 - 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday, 10/27 - 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
*Lodging and meals will be on your own
PRESENTER BIOS -
Charley
Thorn
Presenter
Photo Description: White male with dark hair, goatee, dark-rimmed glasses, maroon shirt, black background. My name is Charley Thorn, and I have been working as a Deaf interpreter for 13 years. I grew up in a Deaf family and went to American School for the Deaf. I have always been involved in the Deaf community. My professional background is based primarily in Mental Health - I started working in the field in 2003. My first few years of work started in a group home under the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). After that, I worked for the Westborough State Hospital at its former location, which is now known as the Worcester Recovery and Hospital Center. Through my almost 10 years of experience working there, I learned how to work with Deaf patients and my co-worker saw I had potential I could use to contribute to the Deaf community. At that point, I decided to put my skills to use through a different channel, and graduated from the Road to Deaf Interpreting program in 2011. Since then, I have been interpreting. Currently I am working as a full-time Staff Interpreter at American School for the Deaf in West Hartford, CT and Freelance Interpreter.
Scott
Cawley
Presenter
Photo Description: White male, shaved head, black rimmed glasses, black collared shirt. Scott Cawley is a seasoned paramedic and has been an ASL Interpreter for 24 years. He has developed and organized many medical workshops for the ASL community and strives to provide quality education for all Hearing and Deaf interpreters.
Fatima Silvestre
Presenter
Photo Description: White woman, mixed brown hair, black glasses. Fatima Silvestre, CDI, currently works full-time freelance. She maintains her own private practice as an interpreter working in various settings, press conferences, medical, DeafBlind, and conference work. She obtained her Deaf Interpreter Certification (CDI) from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf series in 2008-2009 as one of the first cohorts to participate in RDI. She has participated in Project Climb and has most recently served as one of the facilitators. She previously worked in the field of mental health for more than 13 years prior to becoming an interpreter. She was also involved in the original Mentorship Program and is currently a mentor for a number of novice deaf interpreters in the field of interpreting. She received a B.A. in Human Services from Springfield College.
Ian
Sanborn
Presenter
Photo Description: White male, dark facial hair wearing black hat and gray shirt. Bio coming soon!
Rachel
Boll
Facilitator
Bio coming soon!
December 7th, 2024
Protactile Workshop for Interpreters
Beginner & Advanced
0.375 CEUs per section
There will be a beginners morning workshop and an advanced afternoon workshop. Each section will be limited to 9 participants.
BEGINNER Workshop (0.375 CEUs)
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
9 Participants
This Beginner Protactile Training aims to introduce interpreters to protactile. Facilitators will touch on basic Protactile concepts, analyze how distantism influences experiences, learn Prompt Adopt Touch, grasp basic co-navigation skills and discuss the main components of Protactile, a touch centric language.
ADVANCED Workshop (0.375 CEUs)
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
9 Participants
This Advanced Protactile Training aims to enhance interpreters' protactile skills. Facilitators will review the Protactile Principles, analyze how co-presence abstains from distantism, hands-on practice of protactile interpretation, refine Prompt Adopt Touch constructions, and exercise co-navigation skills.
PRESENTER BIOS -
Rhonda 'Rho' Voight-Campbell
Presenter
Rhonda 'Rho' Voight-Campbell (she/her) is adjunct faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the ASL and Interpreting Education Department. Specifically, she teaches undergraduate students the necessary skills to work effectively with DeafBlind people. Rhonda also has expertise in Protactile communication strategies and provides consultation on the topic throughout the DeafBlind community and other parties. She collaborates with many DeafBlind folks from all backgrounds and in different environments/platforms, such as retreats, through direct trainings and on listservs. Rhonda believes in the full inclusion of DeafBlind people by fostering fuller access to information through the sense of touch.
Roberto Cabrera
Presenter
Roberto Cabrera (he/him) is a Director of RIT/NTID’s STEM Academy, and Roberto is known for his work in policy writing and grant leadership in education, interpreting, and service fields including vocational rehabilitation. Roberto is a co-founder of Golden State DeafBlind Service Center promoting quality life within the DeafBlind community in the state of California and is one of the leading interpreter educator/trainer nationwide. Roberto is a people person and loves spending his time on various community-led projects, and he is an advocate for equal access to promote the quality lifestyle in the community of choice.
Yashira “Yash” Romilus
Presenter
Yashira “Yash” Romilus identifies herself as DeafBlind Latine Queer. Her pronounsare she/her/hers. Yash’s ethnic roots came from her parents who were born andraised in Puerto Rico. She brings to this world knowledge and experience that cannot be duplicated. She has studied Social Work and Spanish at Gallaudet University. She has worked as a PT Educator since 2016 on both national and international levels. Yash specializes in training and instruction in Protactile (PT) language. Her work in various leadership and mentorship roles has allowed her to share her many accomplishments with others through education and outreach connections. Her dedication for educating others about Protactile is the reason for continuing this work with PLI. Her work has also been recognized as a PT trainer under DBII (DeafBlindInterpreting Institute) located at Western Oregon University. In addition, her work inPT theatre is a testament to her creativity and passion to work with the DeafBlind community.
Interpreter
Appreciation Day 2024
Transcript: "Hey you guys. This is just a short video to show our appreciation for all of your hard work, team effort, and accomodating myself and Madelyn. We truly appreciate everything that you have done. Thank you for a great start and I'm looking forward to working with you the rest of the year. Bye."