Spanish Policy Signatures
As of 3:30  PM EST 01/11/05
(mouse over red numbers on right of signature to see comments)
iD FIRST NAME LAST NAME CITY STATE COUNTRY COMMENTS
1 Suzanne Garcia-Lightbourn San Francisco CA US  
2 Tony Barraza Laurel MD US  
3 Folami Ford   MD US  
4 Emilia Lorenti Orlando FL US  [1]
5 Melanie Girshick Brooklyn NY US  [2]
6 Rafael Trevino Kissimmee FL US  
7 Melanie Peach Orlando FL US  
8 Jean Plant Sharpsburg GA US  [3]
9 Nancy Hayes Hayden AL US  [4]
10 Lewis Merkin        
11 vince powell orlando FL US  [5]
12 Kimberly Díez        
13 Liz Wolter Jackson Heights NY US  
14 Stephanie Feyne New York NY US  
15 AnnE Leahy        
16 George Garcia Fishkill NY US  [6]
17 BOBBIE McGEE SEATTLE WA US  [7]
18 Janice Cagan-Teuber Arlington MA US  [8]
19 Keri Johnson Brockton MA US  
20 Ricardo Lopez Wheaton MD US  
21 martha clark        
22 Branton Stewart Webster NY US  
23 Persis Bristol-Dodson Tucker GA US  [9]
24 Elizabeth Parish Spring TX US  [10]
25 Joshua Pennise Norfolk VA US  
26 Dana Lachter        
27 Jorge Solis   TX US  [11]
28 ananela chirinos   FL    
29 Dimitri Azadi        
30 Theresa Bugler        
31 Beverly Rubesh St. Libory NE US  [12]
32 Ruby Mercury     PR  
33 David Turner Stone Mountain GA US  [13]
34 Claude Shirts Rocklin CA US  [14]
35 richard brumberg mcdonough GA US  
36 andres campos elk grove CA US  [15]
37 Shelley Lawrence   CA US  [16]
38 Bonny Aranda El Paso TX US  [17]
39 Kaye Brock   TX US  [18]
40 Xavier Caylor San Francisco CA US  [19]
41 Kirsten Klinghammer   CA US  [20]
42 Nancy Angermaier        
43 Thomas Lawrie Savannah GA US  
44 Susan Gonzalez        [21]
45 Julie Rems-Smario castro valley CA US  [22]
46 Melissa Whalen Grand Blanc MI US  
47 Wanda Ivelisse Dominguez-Burki Kingsland GA US  [23]
48 david rose San Francisco CA US  [24]
49 Joni Caraway   FL    
50 Steve Babb Davie FL US  [25]
51 Judy Alexander   CA US  [26]
52 Nancy Sneed Rancho Cordova CA US  [27]
53 Yolanda Chavira Austin TX US  [28]
54 Laurie Nash        
55 Julie Cross   MD    
56 Eldora Morris Penn Hills PA US  
57 Noreen Hagemeyer-Guzman Burtonsville MD US  [29]
58 James Cromer Laurel MD US  
59 Jennifer Burns Arntzen St. Paul MN US  
60 Erin Mares Albuquerque NM US  [30]
61 Mary Prater Smith Austin TX US  [31]
62 Lisa Gold   TX US  
63 Jerriann Skinner        
64 Francesca Samuel     PR  [32]
65 Alice Hagemeyeer        
66 Jane Whitney        
67 Marta Ordaz Livermore CA US  [33]
68 Matt Martinez Beaumont TX US  
69 Danielle Newman New Hyde Park NY US  [34]
70 Robert Davila Sioux Falls SD US  [35]
71 Myrelis Aponte Samalot San Juan   PR  [36]
72 Doug Bowen-Bailey Duluth MN US  [37]
73 Janice Nishimura Springfield VA US  [38]
74 Pamela Morris Charlotte NC US  
75 Paavo Allen San Francisco CA US  
76 Dragonsani Renteria San Francisco CA    
77 Wanda Witczak Fremont CA US  [39]
78 Myisha J Blackman        [40]
79 JO Jeannette Ocampo Welch   MA US  
80 Lynn Nakamoto HONOLULU HI US  
81 Pasch McCombs San Diego CA US  [41]
82 haydee fourquet yauco   PR  [42]
83 Hilda Colondres Orlando FL US  
84 Theresa Heath Virginia Beach VA US  [43]
85 keith wann        [44]
86 Gloria Munoz Milwaukee WI US  
87 Neva Turoff Campbell CA US  
88 Kim Eaton        
89 Lena Serrano San Pedro CA US  
90 Jennifer Berman New York NY    
91 cathy bowers        
92 Aaron Rudner Rio de Janeiro - RJ BR  [45]
93 Phil Giambaresi New York NY US  
94 Melanie Peach Orlando FL US  [46]
95 Lisa Weems   MD US  
96 Rachel Judelson     US  
97 Sarah Coakley Shrewsbury MA US  
98 Ruby Mercury     PR  
99 Angela Piteris Babylon NY US  [47]
100 Paul Gold   TX US  
101 Ellie Purvis Rocklin CA US  
102 Laura Jepma        
103 Lily Pacheco        
104 Shonna Pareja Edgewater FL US  [48]
105 Susan Peterson Sacramento CA US  
106 Jennifer Lohman Red Wing MN US  [49]
107 Ella Lentz Hayward CA US  [50]
108 Rhonda Jacobs Silver Spring MD US  [51]
109 Karen Atwood   WA US  [52]
110 Molly McGuire Seattle WA US  
111 Sarah Brannigan San Francisco CA US  
112 Keith Wann        [53]
113 Jennifer Weiler        
114 samuel serna   WA US  [54]
115 Janet Johanson Salem OR US  [55]
116 Alice Harrigan Roslindale MA US  [56]
117 Wanda Burki Kingsland GA US  
118 James Wiggins Medford MA US  [57]
119 Jody Mayer Seattle WA    [58]
120 Lucy Annett Boston MA US  
121 Maria Santiago Fajardo   PR  
122 Mariana Figueroa     PR  
123 Norman Rosado Guaynabo   PR  
124 Paula Gajewski Mickelson Apple Valley MN US  [59]
125 Mary Eastman Aguadilla   PR  [60]
126 Mariela Torres Savannah GA US  
127 Jordan Nassar Houston TX US  [61]
128 Cindy Dzimian        
129 Laurie Swabey        
130 Valerie Bernham        [62]
131 Jose Quinones Chicago IL US  
132 Evelyn Shields     US  
133 Karen Mueller-Harder Cabot VT US  [63]
134 Angela Roth Kissimmee FL US  [64]
135 Autumn Saulisberry Sacramento CA    
136 Robin G. Burgess Orangeburg SC US  [65]
137 Dan Parvaz Melbourne FL US  [66]
138 Elizabeth Hanlon Bozeman MT US  [67]
139 Luz Iraida Avilés Carolina   PR  [68]
140 Bethzabel Valle     PR  
141 Tammera Richards Issaquah WA US  [69]
142 Benjamin Zapata Tampa FL US  
143 Mara Kamerer        
144 Nicole Montagna Oakland CA US  [70]
145 Sonia Dalton Cudahy WI US  
146 Vicky Rodríguez Carolina   PR  
147 Gilberto García     PR  
148 Vicky Rodríguez     PR  
149 Alysse Rasmussen Leesburg FL US  [71]
150 Bram Weiser        
151 Marina McIntire Eugene OR US  [72]
152 Gilberto Garcia        
153 Idalmis Nazario        
154 Karen Pacheco        
155 Mary Darragh MacLean        
156 Nancy Sullivan Pennsauken NJ US  
157 Wendy Watson   MA US  
158 Lynn Hou        
159 Sherry Hicks Takoma Park MD US  
160 sarah rauber Mitchellville MD US  [73]
161 Tom Makko        
162 Christina Trunzo-Mosleh        
163 Amada McKay El Paso TX US  
164 Gerardo Castillo Washington DC US  
165 Antoinette Pineau Ojai CA US  
166 Melva Rodriguez   IL US  
167 Tanya Thomas Baltimore MD US  [74]
168 audrey cooper Washington DC US  
169 Susanne Morgan   NY US  [75]
170 Dana Yohner        
171 Jeffrey Jaech new york NY US  
172 Betty Colonomos College Park MD US  [76]
173 Jeanie Salyer Inyokern CA US  
174 Alicia Rondeau   MI US  [77]
175 Marilyn Pimentel Bayamon   PR  [78]
176 Patricia Dash New York NY US  
177 debbie sicard ceiba   PR  [79]
178 Jason Hurdich Louisville KY    
179 Amber Fox-Young Louisville KY US  
180 Rhoda Perez        [80]
181 Ruth Lehrer Worthington MA US  
182 Lisa Schaefermeyer   FL US  
183 Rachel Payne Louisville KY US  
184 Cheryl Willis Dothan AL US  [81]
185 Robert Loeffler        
186 Richard Hall        [82]
187 Sharin Nakayama Gardena CA US  
188 Jonathan Hopkins        
189 Lauren Hurdich   KY    
190 Rafael Guzman Burtonsville MD US  [83]
191 Kalen Beck Vienna VA US  
192 Maria Emma   MA US  [84]
193 LeWana Clark Golden CO US  [85]
194 Maria Fernandez Miami FL US  
195 Sheila Brager-Hall Woodbridge CA US  [86]
196 Patty Gordon Minneapolis MN US  [87]
197 Jody Steiner Newton MA US  [88]
198 Kim Gaut Port Charlotte FL US  
199 Molly Sheridan Austin TX US  [89]
200 christopher robinson stoneham MA    
201 Elizabeth Henriksen Washington DC US  [90]
202 Rebekah Rowe Lewisburg PA US  
203 Elaine Stagner   CA US  [91]
204 Gina Gonzalez Austin TX US  [92]
205 Jose Barraza Milwaukee WI US  
206 dion manley sf CA US  [93]
207 Bonnie Gibson Redondo Beach CA US  [94]
208 Raquel Duque Orlando FL US  
209 Jennifer Kaika Kettering MD US  [95]
[1]
I sent my letter to Angela Jones
[2]
RID is proud of the fact that their members provide communication access on a daily basis. By not providing Spanish Interpreters we are actually creating a language barrier.I went to the PR RID Conference and going to a tri-lingual conference was an amazing experience and one that should be happening more often.
[3]
Please provide Spanish interpreting services for any (even one) of our members who attend the RID conference who need this service. If not, then perhaps Puerto Rico should not be permitted to be a chapter of RID.  This seems hypocritical to not provide services to our own members.
[4]
I wholeheartedly agree with this petition.  It is wrong for us to discriminate against our spanish speaking members.  As we do with deaf consumers, if one person needs an interpreter to participate, then we must provide that service.  If you need to cut back, eliminate either the transliterators or caption service. That seems redundant to me.
[5]
If we discontinue Spanish interpretation we are only going backwards and not forward in our changing times. Please include spanish as our third language for the San Antonio conference.
[6]
As a long standing member of RID and a Trilingual interpreter at the last two congerences, I think this is a big step backwards for RID. Inclusion should be its mindset, for all...whether it's one memeber or one hundred.
[7]
AS A CERTIFIED MEMBER OF RID FOR NEIGH UNTO 26 YEARS I SUPPORT THIS PETITION AND DEMAND THAT IF ONE PERSON REQUESTS SPANISH LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION THAT THE SERVICE BE PROVIDED.
[8]
Having been on the Interpreting Teams for the past several conferences, I have seen the quality of the conferences enhanced by the inclusion of Interpreters working between English, ASL, Spanish, and Puerto Rican Sign Language.Janice
[9]
RID should represent access to ALL it's members! It is a cowardly act to shirk the responsibility.
[10]
As a Texan, I am aware of the many needs for trilingual interpreters in our state that often go overlooked or are devalued... it is my understanding that many families move to the United States, specifically Texas, New Mexico, and California, from Mexico when having Deaf family members, seeking better opportunity and education. As an interpreter who is a second language user of ASL and not a native member of the Deaf community, the past 8 years that I have been involved with Deaf people and their language and culture, one of the key things I have learned is to embrace and respect those who use a language and follow a culture that is not necessarily that of the majority. To not provide Spanish interpretation, even if there is only ONE person in attendance needing such an interpreter, suggests that RID does not value the need that is ever-increasing (or maybe a need that has long been around, but long overlooked) for trilingual interpreters who use Spanish... in not providing Spanish/trilingual interpreters, the scarcity of trilingual interpreters is perpetuated because those who would utilize their services are basically not provided access to the conference, so it will appear as though such interpreters are not needed... How often have we as ASL/English interpreters fought along with the Deaf community to make the majority culture in this nation understand the need for equal access to information??! (even for just ONE person)... Though the field of Spanish or trilingual interpreting may not be an area of expertise for RID, we as an organization should take this opportunity to be a leader in terms of embracing the diversity of our membership as well as to promote equal information access where others fail to do so and to recognize the common struggles of those in the United States and elsewhere whose language is in the minority, just as ASL is. I am certain there are specialist organizations in Texas with which RID could partner to provide skilled Spanish-language interpreters...
[11]
This will be my first RID conference that I will attend.
[12]
Please repeal the decision made in regards to having 25 Spanish requests in order to provide services. at the national conferences. I feel it is important to provide access and to continue the progress tha† has been made.
[13]
I think it's the wrong thing to do to deny someone access based on some ridiculously arbitrary number.
[14]
I am appalled that RID would only provide interpreter services if there were 25 people in attendance.There are several reasons for me feeling this way, but just one is Puerto Rico RID is an affilliate chapter of RID....Not everyone in Puerto Rico is fluent in spoken English, and if there are people interested in becoming interpreters, or who are starting out in their training, expecting them to use the ASL interpreters is absurd.I know I would not have been able to easily follow procedings by watching the ASL interpreters when I went to my first National Convention in San Diego in 1985.If "only" 2 or 3 Deaf people were going to any large conference would not we expect they provide ASL interpreter services ?I do believe the conference could cut down costs by requesting that the participants let them know ahead of time which workshops etc they were planning to attend.  This seems reasonable,But if even one attendie shows up from Puerto Rico how can we deny them access ?~~Claude Shirts, CI & CT, IC/TC
[15]
this is simply an access issue. It seems like RID is citing the same tired excuses that we hear so often about why a company or organization doesnt want to pay for sign language interpreters. It is hypocrisy at it's worst.
[16]
While, at this point, the number of tri-lingual interpreters is small, professional development is imperative.  Let's not be biased and develop some expertise.
[17]
I hope our voicing our opinion will not adversly affect us.  But I'll tell you I recently wqas faced with a tri-lingual interpreting problem and the advice I got from state and national levels was to quit.  It was very sad that there is no support you'd think with all the progress made the minds would be open sad to see that as long as the oppression is not directed at a bi-lingual interpreter they just don't care, all their talk about accessability and equal access, they don't even realize that some of thee best interpreters in this business are the tri-lingual interpreters... have they stopped to think that maybe that's because...some of us have been interpreting all our lives the 'issues' are the same we advocate and educate because we've been there done that... felt the pain of neglect, isolation, separate but equal. (hah!) I am incredibly diapointed in TCHDD (DARS), and RID and the local entitiies that honestly don't care about the clients or the interpreters that don't live in the large cities who don't have access to qualified skilled, tri-lingual interpreters.  I hope that the closed mindedness of the unexperienced (in tri-lingual issues)conferance coordinator will be blessed by God with an open mind and move ahead instead of regressing to the popular vote...take the road less traveled, expand your learning experiences and if you can't handle it let an experienced tri-lingual interpreter coordinator guide you, or lead you.
[18]
I believe all deaf no matter what thier heritage have a right to attend a confernce and to have interpreters of thier own langauge provided for them regardless of how many of that paticular heritage show up.
[19]
ASL is our common denominator.
[20]
We are only sensitive to the needs of the American Deaf and English speakers?  And in San Antonio?  If there are NO requests for Spanish language interpreters, don't provide them.  If there are ANY, please serve these attendees.  I don't think interpreters should be provided for every language possibility as a matter of course, but as there is an RID chapter in Puerto Rico, equal access should at least be provided to all attendees speaking Spanish.  And I'm all for developing a trilingual ASL/English/Spanish Certification test too; that's a separate issue, but one which is difficult to address at RID if Spanish monolinguals can't participate in the discussion.
[21]
Disregarding the self-decided official language statement,if Deaf conference attendess have the full right to access to the conference in its entireity, then Spanish speaking conference attendess deserve the same right.  Just because I'm Deaf doesn't mean I am any more special than my Spanish speaking colleagues nor are they less deserving of the professional training/education.  Denying full access to those who work with Deaf Spanish clients, signing and/or speaking, means you deny said clients qualified and professional interpreting services.  That is tantamount to the oppression hearing non-signers have inflicted on the Deaf community. Only your actions inflict it on the Spanish Deaf community.  Furthermore, as a member of RID, I never agreed to the official language of the conference statement nor was I ever given the option to vote on it.
[22]
Requiring to have a minimum number of Spanish speaking registrants before RID plainly spells one word: OPPRESSIVE
[23]
I am an interpreter working toward my RID  certification. I am also hispanic that agrees with this petition. It's true that we are not involved as we should. I am hard of hearing and my native language is Spanish. I feel that we the growing hispanic community RID can reach out and provide services to the other minority group that has being left behind for very long.
[24]
I agree that RID repeal the current decision as its unfair.  RID should be promoting the development of Deaf Interpreters' Training and Qualification Testing as should bear in mind with the Spanish speaking  people who want to or are working as Spanish/ASL etc.  Thanks
[25]
Cost should not be an issue.  If the major complaint is an undue burden on the planning committee, create a position for diversty needs.
[26]
I feel communication for all is essential.
[27]
I'm sure it is a huge expense to provide Spanish language interpreters, but perhaps a compromise can be worked out for the requested meetings and workshops, some volunteer, some paid. Spanish is also a first language for a growing number of U.S. interpreters, and these people would appreciate the access.
[28]
Please make the conference accessable in Spanish.
[29]
This is terrible and a slap in the face! RID needs to realize how many people are affected by this, and by doing so you have thrown out all the hard work so many people have done for RID!
[30]
I am shocked to hear that an organization like RID would make such a statement.  If this were a Deaf person trying to attend a conference where the majority of attendees were hearing, wouldn't we, as RID be outraged if this same comment was made?  How dare we limit our attendance by excluding a vital language group.  It is not an excuse that this is beyong the capabilities of the coordinator.
[31]
SHAMEFUL! Spanish is necessary.  Don't discriminate.  If you can't afford it, get a grant! Get someone from Texas, Arizona, or elsewhere to coordinate it for you.
[32]
I think it is outrageous not to provide Spanish interpreting during this conference.
[33]
Spanish Speaking population is on the rise rapidly and the needs for spanish translations are going to be in demand.  please do not discontinue it.
[34]
RID is all about following the code of ethics but then what happens with the morals?  Sometimes its important to do "The right thing" I hope they don't lose sight of that. Our job is about educating those less informed and providing equal access as well as interpreting. Shouldn't we follow through with that now. Especially in a place such as San Antonio where there are so mant Spanish speaking individuals you can't tell me you can't find a Spanish - English Interpreter at the very least
[35]
It is time for RID to rexamine its policy. If one deaf person is left without communication access, that is one deaf person too many! You wouldn't leave one deaf/blind person without support even if your interpreters had no experience with dual disabilities. The law guarantees access. You have to take a proactive stance on this and similar cases. You no longer have a choice. -RRD.
[36]
PRRID President. We are in full support of this petition.
[37]
If we are truly serious about being a multicultural organization, as has been the focus of many of our conferences around the nation, we need to also provide multilingual intepreting services.
[38]
Many years ago, when society at large began focusing on cultural diversity, the  RID leadership acknowledged the lack of diversity in the association and that they wanted RID to reflect the world in which we live and work.  They wanted to be a kinder, gentler, more inclusive organization.  There have been strides, beginning with the creation of CDLC (Cultural Diversity in Leadership Committee).  There has been an increasing awareness and efforts with respect to RID activities.  At the conference in Chicago, I was overjoyed to see so many Deaf colleagues presenting and participating;  my heart smiled at the richness of interpretations where the presenters and interpreters were culturally matched.  This year's Region II conference was held in Puerto Rico;  what a wonderful learning experience that was!This policy excluding Spanish as an official conference language is disturbing to me on many fronts.   During the past 3 conferences, there has been INCREASING accessibility and inclusion to RID for various groups.  By not acknowledging Spanish, the conference planners seem to be going back to being exclusive as to who will be made to feel welcome.  I would wonder what other exclusionary practices might be put into place.  I am not comfortable with the policy and the effect I know it will have.  Statistics are showing that Spanish speakers are the fastest-growing "minority" group in the U.S.  We see immigration patterns and know that there are Deaf people included in those numbers.  The number of requests asking for interpreters fluent in a third language (whether it's Spanish, Russian, VietNamese, etc) are increasing.  By not providing Spanish interpretation, we not only exclude Spanish speaking Sign interpreters and their educators, we also deny the rest of the organization an opportunity to experience and learn more about the needs of this community.  Many of us are going to run into situations, if we haven't already, where we're faced with a Spanish-speaking Deaf person.I would like to think my organization is forward thinking and is responsive to diverse needs.  I would like to think that we are not "Ugly Americans."  We are a human service profession and our conferences have focused heavily on culture.  I would like to think it's not just lip service.As a person of color who's been in this field since 1973 and certified since 1975, I have been gratified and gleeful to think that with these advances towards becoming more diverse, all of us would be accepted and respected for who we were; that we didn't have to try to be majority culture and thereby deny a large part of who we are.  With such a philosophy, there is a place and worth for everyone and the RID becomes stronger.For every one who signs this petition there are untold others who will remain silent.  We may or may not feel their absence in San Antonio. I support the idea of including Spanish as an official conference language and repealing the 25 request policy.
[39]
I feel this action would be portrayed as oppressive and would backfire. Setting a minimum number of Spanish speaking participants as a requirement is offensive. Suppose there aren't enough deaf participants in a hearing conference to meet the requirements for ASL interpreters! It's the same idea.
[40]
It would be great to have Spanish language interpreters.  What a rich experience it would be.
[41]
the next conference will be in an area where Spanish is very popular.  The nbr 25 is very high.  What is the nbr of deaf that is required in order to provide interpreting?  Puerto Rico is one of our areas -- mostly Spanish speaking.  Need to advertise and get more Spanish speaking delegates.
[42]
i think it is very necesary that RID could be part of the conference.  im not interpreter but im learning de ASL and consider that a Spanish language interpreter is necessary in that conference.
[43]
Based on the information provided above, I am signing this petition. I am confused as to why this issue has even come about.  I recently attended the Region II conference and was proud that we provided equal access.  In an area such as Texas (with a large Spanish population) it would be embarrassing to not have this service provided.
[44]
Only 5 dollars extra per attendee to provide true equal access.
[45]
Spanish interpreting will open up the conference not only to people from Spanish speaing countries, but for people from other countries for whom Spanish is a second language.RID should consider an alternative registration fee structure to encourage participations from countries with weaker currencies.  THe registration fee for the conference is more than what most Brazilian interpreters earn in a month, for example.
[46]
We should have Spanish interpreters at RID conventions.
[47]
RID Member 19846
[48]
How is this any different than those who discriminate against the deaf? I thought we were working for equality. With membership dues alone RID brings in $600,000 from certified members ($115 x 5218 certified members)annually and RID can't budget a fraction of that for Spanish interpreters? Please think over this unfair and uncivilized position towards the Hispanic population.
[49]
All it takes is ONE [person] in need to facilitate communication.  That ONE [person] is just as important as 25, right?  RIGHT!
[50]
I believe RID should reconsider its policy and make it more friendly for Spanish speaking interpreters to participate and share. I understand and sympathize with the financial and availability concerns and hope RID will come up with a better solution.
[51]
It is outrageous that our national organization, one which purports to be a national leader and role model in the provision of interpreting services would exclude its own members.  How many times have we had to answer to the infamous "but there's only one Deaf person" retort?  And now you are proposing to do the same thing?!  This is completely and emphatically unacceptable, and if this policy is allowed to stand, I can forsee a substantial number of members withdrawing their memberships.  I implore the board and conference committee - do the right thing.
[52]
Accessibility = freedom
[53]
This needs to be repealed. Denying members equal access has no price...!
[54]
I agree with the statement above"If carried out, this policy will undermine years of progress among Latino interpreters and our allies to promote professional development and acceptance within RID for all." If we plant a small tree we would need to nurture it in it's early stages til it can grow to stature and stand tall.
[55]
It ill behooves us to suppress others in the same way others have suppressed us. I am truly ashamed.
[56]
The language divide in the United States is growing, and not only in those states historically high in bilingual populations, but throughout the country. Spanish is a language that is being recognized on political, public and private levels as a vital link to an ever growing segment of our populace. As an organization whose mission and philosophy recognizes the experience of minority language users, it is imperative that we include the community of trilingual interpreters in our discourse.AVLIC has been struggling with quatralingual concerns since its inception. We can learn from them.
[57]
I think it is unthinkable that members my community are being left out of the event...this kind of thing should never happen.
[58]
I am appalled that this organization is doing to one community, Spanish speakers, exactly what it is advocating for for the Deaf and HoH communities. Should this policy continue, I will need to rethink my membership.Jody Mayer, CI/CTSeattle, WA
[59]
This decision by RID is a huge disappointment and discredits all of the work that has been done to date to make our conferences and organization accessible to Spanish speaking members.  Thank you for offering this avenue for voicing concerns.
[60]
Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and Spanish is the most commonly spoken language here,  interpreters of the deaf here work between Spanish and ASL, and occasionally English.  Due to the huge need for professional development amongst the interpreters from Puerto Rico, RID is making a huge mistake in blocking access to the valuable information offered at the conferences and in VIEWS.  RID should, by now, recognize the huge need for tri-lingual interpreters in the U.S. mainland as well.  Colorado, for example, has a huge Spanish-speaking population.  Hearing parents who speak Spanish need tri-lingual interpreters at their deaf children's I.E.P. meetings.  If RID is progressive minded, it would recognize the present and future need of Spanish language interpretation at its conferences, and in the magizine VIEWS.
[61]
Spanish is important in many communities, especially with the onset of latin american immigration. Include the latin american deaf -- but they need to know about these services if they're going to be a part of your world.

[62]
RID, please be inclusive, pave the way, be a true leader, be responsive to RID's own members whose dues has been gladly accepted!
[63]
I think it's vital to provide access to Spanish-speaking members, regardless of how many attend. A compromise, similar to how Deaf people have to plan, would be for people to sign up for which sessions they will be attending ahead of time, and provide interpreting for those.

[64]
Personally and professionally opposed to any reversal in Spanish language services provided at National Conferences.
[65]
It is unconscienable that NRID would take a position that disenfranchises trilingual interpreters and the population that they serve. Perhaps you new mission statement along with the revised Code of Ethics should be "Se habla ingles SOLAMENTE en NRID porque las otras idiomas no tienen valores y entonces no valen las penas.

[66]
It's a shame that RID has decided to turn back the clock like this.
[67]
In my work as an educational interpreter, in K-12 as well as postsecondary settings, I have met and worked with several students who live in a unique and complex linguistic world:  a home language of spoken Spanish; a school language of spoken and written English; some sort of signed communication as a means to instruction.  The numbers of these students continue to grow in this country -- students who have the right to education access and students who need the opportunity to learn about their families' rich and honorable culture.  Interpreters can be the bridge that makes this possible.  I urge RID to provide Spanish language interpreting at the 2005 National Convention in acknowledgement of the right to communication access for D/deaf and hard of hearing Latinos in the U.S.

[68]
En Puerto Rico queremos que haya traductor en español, somos latinos y nuestro lenguaje es el Español.
[69]
Tri-lingual interpretation should absolutely be provided - especially since the PR chapter pays dues to this organization.

[70]
Providing Spanish interpretation at the conference is an investment in diversity.  Translate the Views, JOI and conference proceedings too!  Let's fundraise for it!

[71]
I understand the financial considerations.  They could prove to be considerable.  I understand the concern for a precident that might allow for other linguistic minorities to also request (or be denied membership to RID) because of the potential expense involved (i.e. we might deny Canada for fear of the need to accomodate French).  But there are 3 very strong reasons for repealing this prejudicial ruling.  1st:  PR-RID has member status and thus should have full access to communication.  2nd:  even if PR-RID did not have member status, efforts to accomodate the needs of individuals with a sincere interest in interpreting but with limited access to professional development should be of paramount value to an organization that supports quality communication and respect for diversity.  3rd:  it is simply the right thing to do.  What kind of message are we sending if we say "your money's good, but we really don't want to accomodate you cause it will cost us".  How can we look at a doctor or a lawyer or a businessman and advocate for EXTERNAL Deaf interests when we won't advocate for INTERNAL Deaf interests.  Besides, if we don't encourage bi-lingual Spanish-ASL interprters what would make the Deaf think that we would continue to encourage CDI's?

[72]
This is positively shocking! I appreciate the PRRID chapter informing us about this (non-)development. How can we behave in such an exclusive manner when we expect and demand the general population to understand the need for interpreters for Deaf people? The law aside, this behavior is discriminatory and unworthy of us as a profession. I'm ashamed of this decision on the part of our Board.
[73]
I think it's ironic that the number of partcicipants would even be considered pertinant (as an ASL interpreter, how many times have I had to explain to a company that it doesn't matter if there are 50 Deaf participants, or only one; the need for ASL interpreting would still be great).
[74]
With the 2005 Conference being held in San Antonio, which itself has a large Latino population and therefore makes use of trilingual interpreters more than most states, I am shocked to think that this "access" would not be provided.  Is this not what our whole organization is about?

[75]
Equal access for all participants, no matter the number.

[76]
This policy is counterproductive to our attempts to reach out to minorities and non-English speaking colleagues and consumers. It is a disgrace!

[77]
I worked a cruise this year with 5 Puerto Rican interpreters who were desperately in need of training/mentoring opportunities in Spanish.  They haven't come to the RID conferences because there's no Spanish interpretation provided.  They feel alienated and far behind the U.S. interpreters.

[78]
We need the spanish interpreters in the RID's conference. (latin people support RID why not RID support latin people?

[79]
yes i would like the conference in spanish.
[80]
Count me in to help!

[81]
This RID requirement is uncalled for. Let's not reqress.

[82]
The decision to limit access for our Spanish speaking colleagues lacks forethought and compassion.  Please reconsider this decision.

[83]
I support Spanish interpreting services for latinos

[84]
There are spanish deafs/hearings who need interpreting services for their loved ones. It's really worth it.

[85]
If we stand for access, we should practice what we preach.
[86]
If we advocate that interpreting be provided to Deaf clients and members, we cannot in good conscience discriminate against our Spanish speaking members.

[87]
Imagine how this would look if you talked about the historically low numbers of Deaf members in attendance in the same way - what a mistake this policy is!
[88]
If we are welcoming PR as an affiliate, and always reaching out to interpreters of a diverse ethicity--- Spanish Language interpreting is a must.This is reminiscent of the debate of whether or not conferences should be conducted in ASL.Let's  welcome and support our fellow terps for whom English is not a first language.

[89]
Limited access undermines our mission of what we do--interpret to optimize access. Thank you.

[90]
I find it disturbing that RID would decide to implement this policy JUST before a conference in SAN ANTONIO where Spanish speaking interperters are more prevalent than any other region we have hosted a national conference!

[91]
RID should provide Spanish Language interpreting if any number of people request it.

[92]
It should only require one request to accommodate attendees at a conference.
[93]
Fully expect equal access for all... Accross the board
[94]
I know several trilingual interpreters that are available - is this history repeating itself, only in a different language?  I have been a memver for 25 years and I remember RID having problems having ASL interpreters at every event. This can be worked out smoothly and efficiently.
[95]
If the Puerto Rico Chapter is a part of RID, then they should have the same access to RID sponsored events that other chapters enjoy. With the Views and testing not being in Spanish, the least that could be done is to provide interpreters for the national conference, which is only held once every two years. We need to think beyond the needs of the interpreters who need Spanish interpretation, and think about their deaf consumers in Puerto Rico. How much more would they benefit by having better trained and more knowledgeable interpreters?