2. Interpreters possess the professional
skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
3. Interpreters conduct themselves
in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
4. Interpreters demonstrate respect
for consumers.
5. Interpreters demonstrate respect
for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
6. Interpreters maintain ethical
business practices.
7. Interpreters engage in professional
development.
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NAD-RID CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
SCOPE
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) uphold high
standards of professionalism and ethical conduct for interpreters.
Embodied in this Code of Professional Conduct (formerly known
as the Code of Ethics) are seven tenets setting forth guiding
principles, followed by illustrative behaviors.
The tenets of this Code of Professional Conduct
are to be viewed holistically and as a guide to professional behavior.
This document provides assistance in complying with the code.
The guiding principles offer the basis upon which the tenets are
articulated. The illustrative behaviors are not exhaustive, but
are indicative of the conduct that may either conform to or violate
a specific tenet or the code as a whole.
When in doubt, the reader should refer to the explicit
language of the tenet. If further clarification is needed, questions
may be directed to the national office of the Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf, Inc.
This Code of Professional Conduct is sufficient to encompass interpreter
roles and responsibilities in every type of situation (e.g., educational,
legal, medical). A separate code for each area of interpreting
is neither necessary nor advisable.
PHILOSOPHY
The American Deaf community represents a cultural
and linguistic group having the inalienable right to full and
equal communication and to participation in all aspects of society.
Members of the American Deaf community have the right to informed
choice and the highest quality interpreting services. Recognition
of the communication rights of America's women, men, and children
who are deaf is the foundation of the tenets, principles, and
behaviors set forth in this Code of Professional Conduct.
VOTING PROTOCOL
This Code of Professional Conduct was presented
through mail referendum to certified interpreters who are members
in good standing with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf,
Inc. and the National Association of the Deaf. The vote was to
adopt or to reject.
ADOPTION OF THIS CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Interpreters who are members in good standing with
the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. and the National
Association of the Deaf voted to adopt this Code of Professional
Conduct, effective July 1, 2005. This Code of Professional Conduct
is a working document that is expected to change over time. The
aforementioned members may be called upon to vote, as may be needed
from time to time, on the tenets of the code.
The guiding principles and the illustrative behaviors
may change periodically to meet the needs and requirements of
the RID Ethical Practices System. These sections of the Code of
Professional Conduct will not require a vote of the members. However,
members are encouraged to recommend changes for future updates.
FUNCTION OF THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
It is the obligation of every interpreter to exercise
judgment, employ critical thinking, apply the benefits of practical
experience, and reflect on past actions in the practice of their
profession. The guiding principles in this document represent
the concepts of confidentiality, linguistic and professional competence,
impartiality, professional growth and development, ethical business
practices, and the rights of participants in interpreted situations
to informed choice. The driving force behind the guiding principles
is the notion that the interpreter will do no harm.
When applying these principles to their conduct,
interpreters remember that their choices are governed by a "reasonable
interpreter" standard. This standard represents the hypothetical
interpreter who is appropriately educated, informed, capable,
aware of professional standards, and fair-minded.
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Tenets
1. Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
2. Interpreters possess the professional skills
and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
3. Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate
to the specific interpreting situation.
4. Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
5. Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues,
interns, and students of the profession.
6. Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
7. Interpreters engage in professional development.
APPLICABILITY
A. This Code of Professional Conduct applies to
certified and associate members of the Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf, Inc., Certified members of the National Association
of the Deaf, interns, and students of the profession.
B. Federal, state or other statutes or regulations
may supersede this Code of Professional Conduct. When there is
a conflict between this code and local, state, or federal laws
and regulations, the interpreter obeys the rule of law.
C. This Code of Professional Conduct applies to
interpreted situations that are performed either face-to-face
or remotely.
DEFINITIONS
For the purpose of this document, the following
terms are used:
Colleagues: Other interpreters.
Conflict of Interest: A conflict between the private
interests (personal, financial, or professional) and the official
or professional responsibilities of an interpreter in a position
of trust, whether actual or perceived, deriving from a specific
interpreting situation.
Consumers: Individuals and entities who are part
of the interpreted situation. This includes individuals who are
deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, and hearing.
1.0 CONFIDENTIALITY
Tenet: Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential
communication.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters hold a position
of trust in their role as linguistic and cultural facilitators
of communication. Confidentiality is highly valued by consumers
and is essential to protecting all involved.
Each interpreting situation (e.g., elementary,
secondary, and post-secondary education, legal, medical, mental
health) has a standard of confidentiality. Under the reasonable
interpreter standard, professional interpreters are expected to
know the general requirements and applicability of various levels
of confidentiality. Exceptions include, for example, federal and
state laws requiring mandatory reporting of abuse or threats of
suicide, or responding to subpoenas.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
1.1 Share assignment-related information only on
a confidential and "as-needed" basis (e.g., supervisors,
interpreter team members, members of the educational team, hiring
entities).
1.2 Manage data, invoices, records, or other situational
or consumer-specific information in a manner consistent with maintaining
consumer confidentiality (e.g., shredding, locked files).
1.3 Inform consumers when federal or state mandates
require disclosure of confidential information.
2.0 PROFESSIONALISM
Tenet: Interpreters possess the professional
skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected
to stay abreast of evolving language use and trends in the profession
of interpreting as well as in the American Deaf community.
Interpreters accept assignments using discretion
with regard to skill, communication mode, setting, and consumer
needs. Interpreters possess knowledge of American Deaf culture
and deafness-related resources.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
2.1 Provide service delivery regardless of race,
color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual
orientation, or any other factor.
2.2 Assess consumer needs and the interpreting situation
before and during the assignment and make adjustments as needed.
2.3 Render the message faithfully by conveying the
content and spirit of what is being communicated, using language
most readily understood by consumers, and correcting errors discreetly
and expeditiously.
2.4 Request support (e.g., certified deaf interpreters,
team members, language facilitators) when needed to fully convey
the message or to address exceptional communication challenges
(e.g. cognitive disabilities, foreign sign language, emerging
language ability, or lack of formal instruction or language).
2.5 Refrain from providing counsel, advice, or personal opinions.
2.6 Judiciously provide information or referral
regarding available interpreting or community resources without
infringing upon consumers' rights.
3.0 CONDUCT
Tenet: Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner
appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected
to present themselves appropriately in demeanor and appearance.
They avoid situations that result in conflicting roles or perceived
or actual conflicts of interest.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
3.1 Consult with appropriate persons regarding the
interpreting situation to determine issues such as placement and
adaptations necessary to interpret effectively.
3.2 Decline assignments or withdraw from the interpreting
profession when not competent due to physical, mental, or emotional
factors.
3.3 Avoid performing dual or conflicting roles in
interdisciplinary (e.g. educational or mental health teams) or
other settings.
3.4 Comply with established workplace codes of conduct,
notify appropriate personnel if there is a conflict with this
Code of Professional Conduct, and actively seek resolution where
warranted.
3.5 Conduct and present themselves in an unobtrusive
manner and exercise care in choice of attire.
3.6 Refrain from the use of mind-altering substances
before or during the performance of duties.
3.7 Disclose to parties involved any actual or perceived
conflicts of interest.
3.8 Avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest
that might cause harm or interfere with the effectiveness of interpreting
services.
3.9 Refrain from using confidential interpreted
information for personal, monetary, or professional gain.
3.10 Refrain from using confidential interpreted
information for the benefit of personal or professional affiliations
or entities.
4.0 RESPECT FOR CONSUMERS
Tenet: Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected
to honor consumer preferences in selection of interpreters and
interpreting dynamics, while recognizing the realities of qualifications,
availability, and situation.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
4.1 Consider consumer requests or needs regarding
language preferences, and render the message accordingly (interpreted
or transliterated).
4.2 Approach consumers with a professional demeanor
at all times.
4.3 Obtain the consent of consumers before bringing an intern
to an assignment.
4.4 Facilitate communication access and equality,
and support the full interaction and independence of consumers.
5.0 RESPECT FOR COLLEAGUES
Tenet: Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues,
interns and students of the profession.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected
to collaborate with colleagues to foster the delivery of effective
interpreting services. They also understand that the manner in
which they relate to colleagues reflects upon the profession in
general.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
5.1 Maintain civility toward colleagues, interns,
and students.
5.2 Work cooperatively with team members through
consultation before assignments regarding logistics, providing
professional and courteous assistance when asked and monitoring
the accuracy of the message while functioning in the role of the
support interpreter.
5.3 Approach colleagues privately to discuss and
resolve breaches of ethical or professional conduct through standard
conflict resolution methods; file a formal grievance only after
such attempts have been unsuccessful or the breaches are harmful
or habitual.
5.4 Assist and encourage colleagues by sharing information
and serving as mentors when appropriate.
5.5 Obtain the consent of colleagues before bringing
an intern to an assignment.
6.0 BUSINESS PRACTICES
Tenet: Interpreters maintain ethical business
practices.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected
to conduct their business in a professional manner whether in
private practice or in the employ of an agency or other entity.
Professional interpreters are entitled to a living wage based
on their qualifications and expertise. Interpreters are also entitled
to working conditions conducive to effective service delivery.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
6.1 Accurately represent qualifications, such as
certification, educational background, and experience, and provide
documentation when requested.
6.2 Honor professional commitments and terminate
assignments only when fair and justifiable grounds exist.
6.3 Promote conditions that are conducive to effective
communication, inform the parties involved if such conditions
do not exist, and seek appropriate remedies.
6.4 Inform appropriate parties in a timely manner
when delayed or unable to fulfill assignments.
6.5 Reserve the option to decline or discontinue
assignments if working conditions are not safe, healthy, or conducive
to interpreting.
6.6 Refrain from harassment or coercion before,
during, or after the provision of interpreting services.
6.7 Render pro bono services in a fair and reasonable
manner.
6.8 Charge fair and reasonable fees for the performance
of interpreting services and arrange for payment in a professional
and judicious manner.
7.0 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Tenet: Interpreters engage in professional development.
Guiding Principle: Interpreters are expected
to foster and maintain interpreting competence and the stature
of the profession through ongoing development of knowledge and
skills.
Illustrative Behavior - Interpreters:
7.1 Increase knowledge and strengthen skills through
activities such as:
" pursuing higher education;
" attending workshops and conferences;
" seeking mentoring and supervision opportunities;
" participating in community events; and
" engaging in independent studies.
7.2 Keep abreast of laws, policies, rules, and regulations
that affect the profession.
