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Shane Feldman | Where Does Advocacy Fit in the Sign Language Interpreting Profession?

Does RID have Deaf heart? What happened with the Lewis and Naomi resignations? What’s going on at the leadership level at RID and what does the future hold for the organization? These are just a few of the candid questions Shane Feldman, Executive Director of RID, answered while attending StreetLeverage – Live 2013 | Atlanta. He also examined how upholding standard practices, collaborating, and remaining current on industry trends can position sign language interpreters to support collective solutions that will support the profession long-term.

Read transcript here. Find the PPT deck for his talk here.

Open Forum

Shane Feldman - Advocacy for Sign Language Interpreters
Shane Feldman

In addition to speaking during Sunday’s Main Session at StreetLeverage – Live | Atlanta, Shane also made himself available for an Open Forum discussion. Please find the questions posed by attendees and Shane’s response in the vignettes that follow.

More Dialogue

Shane is prepared to respond to additional questions you may have for him about RID. He will be responding to questions asked in the comment section of this post and in a follow-up interview.

Bring on the questions!

 

Forum Questions (9 short installments)

Installment One   (5:51 mins)

– Josie McDaniel Burket: “Where is the Deaf involvement at RID?”

– Kyle Durate: “What are your thoughts about collaborating internationally and the view that there is a conflict with RID being a advocacy organization and a certifying body?”

Installment Two   (5:58 mins)

– Patrick Graham: “What can you do to bring more deaf professionals, and their experience, into RID?”

– Ramon Norrod: “Is now the time to spin-off certification aspects of RID to another organization?”

Installment Three   (7:20 mins)

– Richard Laurion: “What mechanism should RID be using to communicate?”

– Stacey Storme: “Do you think RID has Deaf heart?”

Installment Four   (7:44 mins)

– Natasha Terry: “How can RID support providing services to Native America tribes around the U.S.?”

– Nancy Bloch: “What is RID’s communication policy for this year’s conference?”

Installment Five   (9:19 mins)

– Betty Colonomos: “What is RID doing in the way of outreach to the Deaf Community to educate on their rights and the proper expectations related to interpreters?”

– Ramon Norrod: “Is it possible to set a policy at RID conferences that all presenters sign their presentations?”

Installment Six   (7:18 mins)

– Mandy Bracken: “How do you as a member of the RID leadership create a culture of communication equality?”

– Sandra Maloney: “How do you create trust in certification testing at RID?”

Installment Seven   (5:44 mins)

– Darlene Ensenat: “Has anyone lost their certification as a result of an Ethical Practices System investigation?”

– Ramon Norrod: “”Has RID considered reducing or eliminating fees to encourage more Deaf Community members to get involved in the field?”

Installment Eight   (6:08 mins)

– Nancy Holdren: “What is RID doing to ensure that the testing process isn’t a barrier for those taking the CDI test?”

Installment Nine   (5:16 mins)

– Twitter: “What can RID members do to gain access to information?”

– Facebook: “What do you say to those that are concerned with the state of affairs at RID?”

 (Questions relayed by Brandon Arthur)

 

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Sign Language Interpreters: Embody the Change You Want to See

In the afterglow of StreetLeverage – Live | Atlanta the words of Seth Godin resonate strongly, “The art of moving forward lies in understanding what to leave behind.” As I have contemplated the myriad of questions asked and the rich diversity of perspectives shared, it occurs to me that there was consensus around one singular idea—to leave behind the current definition of what it means to be a successful sign language interpreter.

Success Reframed

This was repeatedly evidenced in the many sentiments shared urging one another, and every practitioner in the field, to return to the artistry of our craft and refocus on the fundamentals that the profession was founded upon—permission, trust, humility, and level of connectedness to the Deaf Community.

Simply, the only sustainable determination of success for a sign language interpreter is intrinsically tied to the real world experience they have both with and within the Deaf Community.

The ‘I am Change’ Manifesto

I am Change in Sign Language Interpreting
Angela Herbert

If positioned to do so, I believe those who attended StreetLeverage – Live | Atlanta would collectively invite every sign language interpreter to be the change they want to see in the profession.

To dare to stand in contrast to the iterative adjustments to the meaning of success that have replaced the permission, humanity, and applause of the community we serve with a preoccupation with proscribed practices, specialization, and financial reciprocity.

Will you stand with them?

Change-Makers

StreetLeverage – Live, and streetleverage.com for that matter, would not be possible without the daring contributions of people willing to make a difference in the field by contributing their time, resources, perspectives, and ideas.

Speakers

I would like to extend my appreciation to each of the inspiring speakers at StreetLeverage – Live | Atlanta for their thought provoking talks and calls to action.

Nancy Bloch

Talk | Marginalization Within the Sign Language Interpreting Profession: Where is the Deaf Perspective?

* Find the PPT deck for her talk here.

Dennis Cokely

Talk | Sign Language Interpreters: The Importance of the Day Before

* Find the PPT deck for his talk here.

Betty Colonomos

Talk | Sign Language Interpreters: Fostering Integrity

* Find the PPT deck for her talk here.

Dave Coyne

Talk | Social Justice: A New Model of Practice for Sign Language Interpreters?

 * Find the PPT deck for his talk here.

Shane Feldman

Talk | Where Does Advocacy Fit in the Sign Language Interpreting Profession?

            * Find the PPT deck for his talk here.

Stephanie Feyne

Talk | Authenticity: The Impact of a Sign Language Interpreter’s Choices

* Find the PPT deck for her talk here.

Debra Russell

Talk | Sign Language Interpreters: Discover and Recover an Enduring Legacy?

* Find the PPT deck for her talk here.

Anna Witter-Merithew

Talk | Stepping out of the Shadows of Invisibility: Toward a Deeper Conceptualization of the Role of Sign language Interpreters

* Find the PPT deck for her talk here. 

We will be releasing videos of these talks here on streetleverage.com in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned. The first release is next week!

Volunteers

It is difficult to express the profound sense of gratitude I have for the many people who volunteered their time to ensure our time in Atlanta was enjoyable and productive. I would like to thank the following people for their immeasurable contribution to the success of StreetLeverage – Live | Atlanta.

Tara Arthur

You are the reason StreetLeverage is possible. Thank you for allowing me to chase big dreams. Words cannot capture the gratitude I have for your encouraging smile and unwavering support. Thank you for coordinating the hospitality efforts at the event. Mwah!

Hayley Baccaire

Your command of registration was impressive, appreciated and noted by all in attendance. Thank you. Also, thanks for supporting the social web coverage of the event.

Wing Butler

You are a social web giant! Thank you for leading the social media coverage of the event and for lending your incredible talent to the StreetLeverage effort.

Diane Lynch

Your work to coordinate the volunteers and continuing education components of the event were masterful. Thank you for engendering a pay-it-forward perspective.

Jennifer Maloney

Your utility was amazing. Thanks for being everywhere support was needed. Badging and registration were better because you came. You are wise beyond your years. Thank you.

Students

Special thanks to Jarvis Avery, Henry Bruce, Brittany Gailey, Julie Garbison, Desiree Hines, Brandi Meriwether, Venise Nichole Niles, Erin Powell, Emma Jane Rozenzweig, and Jillian Wright for your support of the event and reminding us of the importance of the coming generation of industry stewards. 

Paul Tracy

Your AV muscle and vision for room set-up were incredible. Thank you for leading the thankless work that is facility and technology management. Your comedic tendencies are only surpassed by your abundant generosity.

Sponsors

Events like StreetLeverage – Live would not be possible except for the generous and progressive support of our partners. I would like to thank each of them for their contribution and support of the effort to create change in the sign language interpreting industry.

Access Interpreting | Washington, DC

Founding and Platinum Sponsor of StreetLeverage – Live

Sorenson Communications | Salt Lake City, UT

Gold Sponsor

Purple Communications | Rocklin, CA

Gold Sponsor

Partners Interpreting | Boston, MA

Silver Sponsor

The Sign Language Company | Los Angeles, CA

Creative Sponsor

Georgia RID | Atlanta, GA

Supporter Sponsor

Our Legacy

As we work to leave behind the current definition of what it means to be a successful sign language interpreter, let us continue to be inspired by the importance of leaving a legacy of generosity for those who follow. It is only our generous contribution to the betterment and advancement of the field that will endure. Lets be the change we want to see in the profession.

Thanks again to everyone who participated. See closing comments here.

We have already begun preparing for next year. Mark your calendars! We will be holding next year’s StreetLeverage – Live May 1 – 4, 2014.

Join us?

 

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SHANE FELDMAN

Where Does Advocacy Fit in the Sign Language Interpreting Profession?

Shane will examine how upholding standard practices, partnering with colleagues and local leadership, staying abreast of current trends and legislative developments, and collaborating with professional organizations can position sign language interpreters to better support the collective solutions that will support the profession long-term.

Shane Feldman - RID Executive Director
Shane Feldman

Pre-event Dialogue

Please take opportunity to dialogue with Shane on this topic prior to the event by submitting comments below.

Workshop | Cultivating Excellence in Interpreting Through Collective Individual Advocacy

Shane will share successful advocacy strategies that will enable sign language interpreters to set the direction of their interpreting journey as well as the sign language interpreting profession. He will highlight the challenges that lie before us and how interpreters can responsibly uphold their commitment to a world where the interaction between a person who uses a signed language and a person who uses a spoken language has an experience that is equivalent to the linguistic and human interaction that occurs with direct communication. The shared advocacy strategies will enhance each individuals contribution to a global collective approach in achieving the standards that define excellence in interpreting. 

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Questions for Shane Feldman, New Executive Director of RID

Brandon Arthur interviews the newly appointed Executive Director of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Shane Feldman. It takes a special blend of skills to effectively run a large organization with a diversity of needs like RID. Shane shares how RID is working to restore confidence in the NIC test and how as the new Executive Director he will work to maintain the historical values of the field while preparing RID for the future. He also provided insight on his vision for the Government Affairs Program and what members can expect regarding communication with the national office.

Highlights

“The other thing that has impressed me is our ancestry of volunteers and staff who have built a strong organization with core programs that include, certification, ethical practices system, continuing education, and advocacy.”

“…it seems there is a perception that RID isn’t attending to the members and isn’t interested. That is simply not true. We are listening and want the best for the membership.”

“Over many years, we have built a strong certification program that is reliable and valid. You asked how we restore confidence in this program? In my view the larger issue is that more people need to understand what is occurring within the certification program…”

“In the past, it was Codas and Deaf Community members that were the ones who develop practices within in the field. Is that still occurring today? If not, what are we doing to ensure we are focused on the relationship and partnership interpreters have with the Deaf Community and how to strengthen that?”

“Interpreters are important to me and to my connection to the world. We need to ensure the profession is valued.”

“Licensure will recognize interpreters as professionals. I will be sitting down with the new Director of Public Policy and Advocacy to discuss how to ensure that interpreters continue to be recognized as professionals.”

“I would ask that group back in 1964, do you believe that RID’s purpose is solely to serve the Deaf or to facilitate language between the Deaf world and the Hearing world? It would be my hope that this would help them make a determination to adjust the name to be more reflective of the organization.”

Shane Feldman - RID Executive Director
Shane Feldman

Shane H. Feldman, M.A., CAE

Shane Feldman serves as Executive Director of RID. Previously, he worked as COO of the NAD. Feldman has a distinguished history of civic advocacy for accessibility rights especially those related to closed-captioning, although he serves the community in several other areas including his work with VRS and the FCC, the Maryland Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Maryland School for the Deaf.

 

 

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