Accessibility Statement
This statement was last updated on November 15th, 2025.
We at Signs at Work Interpreting Services are dedicated to making every aspect of our services accessible to people with disabilities.
The Standard: Effective Communication
The Americans with Disability Act requires covered entities (Title II and Title III organizations) to provide auxiliary aids and services when necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. A qualified ASL interpreter is one such auxiliary aid.
The core legal mandate is to ensure that communication with a person who is Deaf or hard of hearing is as effective as communication with others.
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​​ASL interpreters are generally required for situations involving complex, confidential, or lengthy exchanges where simpler aids (like written notes or gestures) would not be effective.
Key Obligations and Limitations
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Qualified Interpreter:
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The interpreter must be able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both expressively and receptively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary (e.g., medical or legal terms).
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Ethical Interpreter:​
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Interpreters with Signs at Work conduct themselves professionally, ensuring effective, accurate, and impartial communication while protecting the rights and confidentiality of all parties.
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The Code of Professional Conduct (CPC) established by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the definitive standard for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. It is a set of seven tenets that must be viewed holistically and adhered to at all times.​
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Learn more about Ethics in both English and ASL
The Code of Professional Conduct provides a framework for ethical decision-making in any interpreting situation. These 7 tenants lay out these professional standards to which all interpreters must adhere. 1. Confidentiality "Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication." - This is the foundation of the professional relationship, requiring the interpreter to treat all information learned during an assignment as private. They must not disclose any information acquired, even after the assignment is over, and must refrain from using confidential information for personal gain. 2. Professional Skills and Knowledge "Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation." - Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation. Interpreters have an ethical obligation to ensure they have the linguistic and cultural competence for the specific setting. - Interpreters must decline assignments for which they are not qualified. - Interpreters render the message faithfully, conveying the content and spirit of the communication without editing or adding personal opinion. 3. Appropriate Conduct "Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation." - This means the interpreter should maintain a professional demeanor and appearance, avoid situations that lead to actual or perceived conflicts of interest, and refrain from giving advice, counsel, or personal opinions. 4. Respect for Consumers "Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers." - This includes honoring the consumer's communication preferences (e.g., signed or spoken language modality). As well as, approaching consumers with a professional and respectful attitude regardless of their background, beliefs, or the content of their message. 5. Respect for Colleagues, Interns, and Students "Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession." - This promotes a supportive environment and maintains the dignity of the profession. This includes collaborating respectfully with team interpreters and providing constructive, ethical guidance to those in training. 6. Ethical Business Practices "Interpreters maintain ethical business practices." - This requires interpreters to be truthful and accurate when advertising their qualifications and services. It also demands honoring professional commitments and contracts. Maintaining ethical business practices means charging fair and reasonable fees for services and declining to offer or accept any gift, bribe, or gratuity that could compromise their professional integrity. 7. Professional Development "Interpreters engage in professional development." - Interpreting is a dynamic and ever changing field. Therefore, interpreters must continuously further their knowledge and skills through education, workshops, and independent study. Interpreters need to stay abreast of evolving language use (both signed and spoken) and trends in the profession.