Services for the hearing & visually impaired

• Sign Language: Effectively communicate with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals with the expertise of our highly skilled interpreters and text captioners. These services are available for on-site and remote (video) appointments.
American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL is a complex visual language, with its own unique syntax, grammar and sentence structure. Information is expressed via hand shapes, palm orientations, hand movements and facial expressions. ASL is used primarily within the United States and Canada.
Pidgin Signed English (PSE)
PSE is a combination of ASL and English. Word endings and words unnecessary to the overall understanding of conversation are not usually included. PSE can range from being more similar to ASL or more similar to English depending on client preference.
Signed Exact English/Contact Signing (SEE)
SEE is a method of manual communication that visually represents spoken English.
Deaf/Blind (tactile and close-vision)
Tactile signing is a method of communication during which the interpreter uses ASL signs or finger-spelling on the hand(s) of the deaf/blind person. Close-vision interpreting can be used when the client still has some form of sight.
• Oral Interpreting & Transliterating: Our interpreters can provide Oral Interpreting in which the interpreter clearly articulates with their mouth (without voice) what is being said for clients who rely primarily on lip-reading (speech reading). Transliteration is a solution where the interpreter mouths words (without voice) while also signing to clarify the communication. This should only be used for clients who read lips and understand signing.
  
• Text Captioning/Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART): This is commonly used for presentations, workshops or training courses. English text appears as it is spoken on a laptop or large screen. This can only be used for the deaf or hard-of-hearing client who reads and understands English.
  
• Remote Captioning: Using the same tools and concept as text captioning, this service is available via the internet. A captioner is in a remote location receiving the audio feed of the event/meeting and provides captioning of the audio to the deaf or hard-of-hearing client’s computer/laptop. High-speed internet access is required for this service.
• Braille Transcription 
  Braille is a system of raised dots representing both letters and punctuation, providing a tactile method of “reading” a document for those without sight. Braille graphics, such as line drawings, maps, etc. can also be produced.
  
  We also have the capacity of transcribing Braille into foreign languages. Our resources understand the difference of using accented letters in addition to the conventional alphabet. For languages not using the Latin Alphabet, the visual appearance of non-Latin alphabet letters are not a concern either. Braille code provisions also have designations for the letters. Identifiers are paired with their corresponding Braille symbols enabling the reader to refer to the print letters.
  
  Since Braille documents are embossed and not printed, our typical delivery method is in a hard copy format. We also have the capacity to deliver EPS or other vector art formats for use with other media, such as metal or hard plastics for signage.
  

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