GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
IN CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS SETTINGS
VITALity’s MINISTRY WITH THE DEAF
DIOCESE OF CAMDEN
Catholic churches and organizations are given direction by the Pastoral Statement of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities (November 1978, revised 1989, Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, 2017).
“It is essential that all forms of the liturgy be completely accessible to people with disabilities, since this is the essence of the spiritual tie that binds the Christian Community together…Realistic provisions must be made for persons with disabilities to participate fully in the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations…Celebrating liturgies simultaneously in sign language enables the deaf person to enter more deeply into their spirit and meaning (Par. 23). “
A deaf/hard of hearing person should be offered the opportunity to
have the following interpreted:
Retreats / Religious Events
Sacramental Preparation Meetings
Religious Education / RCIA
Parent-Teacher Meetings
Pastoral Counseling Meetings
Pastors are responsible to be as inclusive as possible in providing , catechetical formation, and sacramental preparation for parishioners with disabilities (Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities, June 2017;CIC,c 777.4).
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops remind us that the parish is the center of the Christian experience; therefore, pastoral minsters should make every effort to fully include parishioners with disabilities. For people who are deaf to be fully included they need access to programs and liturgies in sign language or interpreted into sign language.
>When planning for event/liturgy, remember that good lighting and clear lines are important.
>The interpreter should be given a copy of all texts used in the service in advance. These include the readings, petitions, lyrics for all songs, commentary and, if possible, the homily. Translation of any foreign language text (e.g. Latin or Spanish) should be made available as well. An interpreter may wish to have a music stand during the service to enable quick reference to a text.
>To assure the occupational safety of our interpreters, most assignments exceeding 2 hours will require a team of two Sign Language Interpreters.
1. Individual parishes/person(s) can go to 0511f90e42.nxcli.io (Ministry With the Deaf page), call the VITALity Ministry With the Deaf Office at 856-583-6111 or can email Fr. Hugh Bradley at hugh.bradley@camdendiocese.org to request and complete the Interpreter Request Form.
2. At least two weeks advanced notice is required when making a request for Sign Language Interpreter services. However, we recognize this is not always possible (funerals, emergencies, etc). Please try to request with as much advanced notice as possible, and we will do our best to accommodate the request. If an alternative date is available, please let us know the date.
3. If and when no preferred contracted ASL Interpreter is available, due to already scheduled commitments, the VITALity Ministry With the Deaf will reach out to local Sign Language Agencies to assist with fulfilling the request. (Note that rates from Agencies may vary).
4. Interpreter Request Form
Please use the Interpreter Request Form to request an interpreter for your Church/Parish/ Event. Once an interpreter is confirmed, an Interpreters Confirmation Form will be emailed to the point of contact.
5. Fees and Scheduling
The requesting Catholic parish, school, or institution is responsible for payment. The cost of interpreting ranges from $50-$65 an hour, plus mileage. To assure the occupational safety of our interpreters, most assignments exceeding 2 hours will require a team of two Sign Language Interpreters. (This 2 hour minimum is sometimes waived for regularly scheduled interpreted Masses.)
6. Payment Procedures
The Sign Language Interpreter will invoice/bill the parish/school/or institution directly for the service provided. Payment should be made directly to the interpreter assigned. Payment terms: net 30 days. Parishes/schools/or institutions will be responsible to pay for the interpreter. If the parish/school/or institution is financially unable to pay the interpreter, please contact VITALity Ministry With the Deaf to discuss their situation and VITALity Ministry With the Deaf will assist in finding the resources required if possible.
7. Cancellation Policy
Clients will be billed in full for any assignments not cancelled within two full business days notice remaining before the date of the job.