CDI Study Group

Background of RID's Code of Ethics

Two administrators -
    Edgar Lowell, who knew no sign language and nothing about interpreting (Fant, 1990)
    Ralph Hoag, son of Deaf parents and an accomplished interpreter

The idea about forming an organization of interpreters has been taken place at Ball State Teachers College in Muncie, Indiana on 14-17 June 1964.

There were reasons to form an organization of interpreters in 1964 -

    1) growing need for interpreters to recruit and assess interpreter competence

    2) few interpreters employed on regular basis and most employees worked at postsecondary institutions

    3) teachers, counselors, clergy, or administrators, and women who worked at home

    4) no or little formal training, and received no monetary compensation

Late 1960's, violation of Deaf and hearing people's rights led to form RID's Code of Ethics  (Frishberg, 1990)

In July 2005, NAD-RID adopted Code of Professional Conduct (CPC - but when people says code of ethics (COE) in present time, they are referring to CPC) from Code of Ethics (COE).  COE have 8 tenets and CPC have 7 tenets.

Here is outline of CPC's 7 tenets:

TENETS

1. Interpreters adhere to standards of confidential communication.
2. Interpreters possess the professional skills and knowledge required for the specific interpreting situation.
3. Interpreters conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to the specific interpreting situation.
4. Interpreters demonstrate respect for consumers.
5. Interpreters demonstrate respect for colleagues, interns, and students of the profession.
6. Interpreters maintain ethical business practices.
7. Interpreters engage in professional development.

The full version of the CPC -
http://rid.org/UserFiles/File/pdfs/codeofethics.pdf

(Briden-Brinks)

Requirements and Two Portions of CDI Test - Written & Performance

Eligibility Requirements to take CDI Exams:

Applicants must submit:

*Training documentation of (documentation must indicate date(s), location(s) and duration of training):

    8-hour training on RID Code of Professional Conduct/Code of Ethnics

    8-hour training on Role and Function of Deaf Interpreters

Training documentation may be in the form of course transcripts, letter(s) of verification signed by the person teaching the training session(s), certificate(s)/letter(s) of completion or other valid documentation, and must be attached to the application. (www.rid.org)  Roni's note - Training documentation must be within 5 years of last day of training or you will need to retake the training all over again.

*Verification of your deafness/hearing loss

    from doctor or audiologist

*Exam fees

First Portion of CDI Exam:

* Written English

* Written ASL via CD-ROM

Passing Score: 79 out of 100 Multiple Choice questions

    If failed, you need to wait for 6 months and re-take (only pay for the re-take fee)

CDI Written Test consists of:

Four domains of CDI Knowledge and Understanding

I. Professional Roles and Responsibilities (33%)

II. Preparation for Service Delivery (20%)

III. Provision of Service (37%)

IV. Post-Service Closure (10%)

Second Portion of CDI Exam:

*Performance

CDI Performance Test consists of:

Four domains of:

*Consecutive Interpreting

    A or B choice

    15-18 minutes long

*Simultaneous Interpreting

    A or B choice

    15 minutes long

*Mirroring

    One choice

    10-15 minutes long

*Text to ASL (known as Slight Translation)

    A or B choice (reading)

    5-10 minutes

Role and Functions of Deaf Interpreters

"The role of the interpreter is not limited to the time actually interpreting, but starts before and continues after the assignment"

Briden-Brinks (2007)

What is CDI (Certified Deaf Interpreter)?

http://rid.org/UserFiles/File/pdfs/120.pdf

Here is the link to RID's SPP (Standard Practice Paper) on CDI.

Here are some important excerpts from SPP:

A Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) is an individual who is deaf or hard of hearing and has been certified by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf as an interpreter.

...the CDI may also have specialized training and/or experience in use of gesture, mime, props, drawings and other tools to enhance communication.The CDI has an extensive knowledge and understanding of deafness, the deaf community, and/or Deaf culture which combined with excellent communication skills, can bring added expertise into booth routine and uniquely difficult interpreting situations.

A Certified Deaf Interpreter may be needed when the communication mode of a deaf consumer is so unique that it cannot be adequately accessed by interpreters who are hearing. Some such situations may involve individuals who:
* use idiosyncratic non-standard signs or gestures such as those commonly referred to as “home signs” which are unique to a family
* use a foreign sign language
* have minimal or limited communication skills
* are deaf-blind or deaf with limited vision
* use signs particular to a given region, ethnic or age group
* have characteristics reflective of Deaf Culture not familiar to hearing interpreters.

Welcome to Online CDI Study Group!

I decided to set up Online CDI Study Group to help motivate each of us who is thinking or studying for CDI written exam within few months.  I hope this online format may be benefit for you to read and reply on your own time if you would like to.  Your response is not required, but strongly encouraged.  Please feel free to ask any questions or suggest any ideas/comments via the posting here or email to me.  Happy studying!  8-)