Guidelines for Hiring
Sign Language Interpreters

The following guidelines are intended only to serve as a basis for negotiations between free-lance interpreters and persons or agencies contracting for interpreter services.

When contacting an interpreter, have available the following information:

- Date of assignment
- Time of day
- Duration (how many hours, on which days)
- Location of assignment/travel instructions
- Nature of assignment (number of people [hearing, Deaf and hard of hearing]); and setting (educational, medical, legal, etc.)
- Language mode preferred (if known)
- Name of participants (where applicable)
- Procedure for payment
- Name and phone number for on-site contact person

Negotiating Fees -
Fees negotiated with individual interpreters may be based on many factors including:

- Certification Status (see page 9)
- Training and years of experience in the field
- Skill level and reputation
- Educational background and degrees held
- Whether the event will be recorded on tape or film

When negotiating a fee with an interpreter who is not certified, consider all of the above criteria, as well as recommendations from certified interpreters and Deaf and/or hard of hearing consumers.