Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Thank you for your interest in working for Chicago Hearing Society as an interpreter. Our office receives requests each day for qualified interpreters, which means that we are always interested in recruiting new interpreters. Outlined below is the process for becoming an interpreter with CHS.

Procedures

1. Contact our office to inform us that you are interested in working with CHS.

2. Register your credentials with Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission.

3. Complete an informal appraisal process that is done in-house.

4. Complete a W-9 form.

Contact CHS to schedule an appraisal
To schedule an appointment for the appraisal, please contact the Assistant Director of Interpreter Services at CHSInterp@anixter.org or call 773-248-9121 V or 773-248-9174 TTY.

Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission
Illinois requires interpreters to register with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. If you have not yet done so, please go to the commission’s web site at www.idhhc.state.il.us or call 877-455-3323 V/TTY.

Appraisals

1. Interpreters who have current RID/NAD certification are required to meet with a CHS representative to discuss past interpreting experience, future preferences and availability. They may be asked to participate in our in-house skills appraisal.

2. Those who have obtained an ISAS level or who have a QA level from another state are required to participate in our in-house skills appraisal prior to receiving work from CHS.

3. Those who have yet to obtain any of the above-mentioned credentials are required to participate in our in-house skills appraisal prior to receiving work.

Skills Appraisal will include:

1. Dialogue regarding the role and responsibilities of a professional sign language interpreter. Be prepared to show proof of your certification/qualification levels.

2. Completion of an application form and W-9.

3. Audio/video work showing your transliteration skills, both expressive and receptive.

4. Audio/video work showing your interpretation skills, both expressive and receptive.

Your appraisal may be videotaped for later review; it will always be kept in strictest confidence. This appraisal is not to be viewed as an evaluation; it is an in-house tool used by our staff to view your current level of skills and to ascertain your future employment opportunities with us.

Resources

Columbia College Interpreter Training Program

Lynn Pena at 312-663-1600 ext. 7218 or 312-360-9133 TTY

Harper College Interpreter Training Program

Amy Dixon Kolar at 847-926-6000 ext. 6642 or 847-925-6772 TTY

Waubonsee Community College Interpreter Training Program

Lynn Clark at 630-892-3334 ext. 4117

National Association of the Deaf – Interpreter Assessment and Certification Program (www.nad.org)

Registry of Interpreter for the Deaf – National Testing System (www.rid.org)