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Historical Timeline of the Interpreting Profession

kyla connelly

Created on October 15, 2023

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Kyla Connelly

Historical Timeline of the Interpreting Profession

1964

1970

1973

1972

1965

During this year, the RID established their constitution, by-law's, and code-of-ethics. Additionally the government passed the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1965. This allowed specific interpreters to be paid.

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) held their first meeting under the name: National Registry of Professional Interpreters and Translators for the Deaf (NRPITD). It was in 1965 that they changed their name to RID.

Nationwide, the RID decided to establish 6 different Interpreter Training Programs (ITP), which were unsuccessful.

The Rehab Act of 1973 was passed, thus, this allowed for any institute that recieves federal funding must add visual language interpreters to the list of accomodations.

5 different certifications were created by the RID for interpreters. Each were of differing levels of interpreting and skills.

Kyla Connelly

Historical Timeline of the Interpreting Profession

1982

1991

2002

1997

1986

Two notable things happened in 1986. First, the new and more dependable certification test was developed (passed in 1987). The RID also created 5 new categories for members.

The decision was approved to divide the. RID into 5 different regions in the U.S. by the board. Each region had a different representative.

President Bush signed the ADA which increased the demand for ASL Interpreters nationwide.

VRS and VRI services were added to the State Relay Services. This means an interpreter could be in a different location than the consumer while still providing language access.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed, This ensured that education for individuals with disablities receive free education that was tailored to each individual's needs. This introduced IEP's to interpreters.

Kyla Connelly

Historical Timeline of the Interpreting Profession

2003

2009

2017-Current

2016

2005

Two notable things occured in 2005. First, the National Interpreter Certification (NIC) a new competency test was proposed, then passed. Then, the new Code of Professional Conduct was introduced.

The RID voted during a convention that interpreters who hold certifications must hold a college degree.

An interpreter planning on becoming certified must hold a bachelors degree for RID certification level.

While you can interpret with an EIPA, the RID reccomends seeking further education to ensure higher quality language access. In August of 2020, the NAD sued the White House for not providing adequate language access to Deaf individuals during Covid-19 briefings. In November, the White House introduced their first televised ASL Interpreter

Both hearing and Deaf interpreters must hold at least a bachelors degree for RID certification.