Spring Break
Lack of signers for ASL students
Kern Community College District cuts interpreters' wages, causing some hard of hearing students to drop.
Gabino Vega Rosario
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: News
At the beginning of the fall semester, the Kern Community College District noticed a violation to the union contract: American Sign Language interpreters' wages needed to be cut down.
Thus, students were forced to drop classes because of the shortage of interpreters.
The issue is currently under the process of being resolved, but deaf students could not wait much longer. On Nov. 6, the issue was brought up to the board of trustees at the Weill Institute of Bakersfield College. Students wearing blue shirts saying "equal access now" attended the meeting.
"I am pleased to hear that there is attention," said Tom Moran, an ASL professor. Moran attended the board meeting along with nine other speakers who addressed the issue. Among one of those speakers, hard of hearing student Alicia Garrison, a business administration major, explained her situation as an anonymous interpreter translated. "Some are able to sit with their professor, but I couldn't," she said. "I couldn't meet with my professor because I need an interpreter to come with me."
There have been complaints about a shortage of interpreters and poorly trained interpreters. There are about 20 deaf students at BC, and most of them were forced to drop classes, are currently getting poor grades, or not getting equal access. "Students need interpreters who are qualified and certified," said Moran. "They need to be able to talk about the subject and simultaneously translate properly."
According to Angelica Gomez, director of the Disabled Students Program and Services, there were two levels of sign language interpreters. Because the job description needed to be revised, a level three has been added which requires a higher wage. "Level one does not require a (state) certification but requires some interpreting experience," said Gomez. The human resource center, DSPS and BC faculty have contributed in the job description process.
The process is slow and requires approval from the district to finalize, approve or reject. "As of last week, it was in the district and we are waiting for it to get approved," said Gonzales. "With every challenge, we are looking for a possible solution."
Thus, students were forced to drop classes because of the shortage of interpreters.
The issue is currently under the process of being resolved, but deaf students could not wait much longer. On Nov. 6, the issue was brought up to the board of trustees at the Weill Institute of Bakersfield College. Students wearing blue shirts saying "equal access now" attended the meeting.
"I am pleased to hear that there is attention," said Tom Moran, an ASL professor. Moran attended the board meeting along with nine other speakers who addressed the issue. Among one of those speakers, hard of hearing student Alicia Garrison, a business administration major, explained her situation as an anonymous interpreter translated. "Some are able to sit with their professor, but I couldn't," she said. "I couldn't meet with my professor because I need an interpreter to come with me."
There have been complaints about a shortage of interpreters and poorly trained interpreters. There are about 20 deaf students at BC, and most of them were forced to drop classes, are currently getting poor grades, or not getting equal access. "Students need interpreters who are qualified and certified," said Moran. "They need to be able to talk about the subject and simultaneously translate properly."
According to Angelica Gomez, director of the Disabled Students Program and Services, there were two levels of sign language interpreters. Because the job description needed to be revised, a level three has been added which requires a higher wage. "Level one does not require a (state) certification but requires some interpreting experience," said Gomez. The human resource center, DSPS and BC faculty have contributed in the job description process.
The process is slow and requires approval from the district to finalize, approve or reject. "As of last week, it was in the district and we are waiting for it to get approved," said Gonzales. "With every challenge, we are looking for a possible solution."
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
Richard Roehm
posted 12/03/08 @ 8:39 PM PST
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Gerald
posted 12/04/08 @ 9:53 PM PST
By the way, the students are not ASL students, I am an ASL student. They are deaf students.
lee
posted 12/04/08 @ 11:47 PM PST
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Wilma Mowen
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