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IPP News

The IPP Featured as a Class Act

Our program was selected by WSIL-TV to be their featured "Class Act" of the week.  One of our graduating students, Terry Lee Bullock, nominated our program for this honor. 
The producer, Tim Ulmer, and his camera man came and filmed.  The students had the opportunity to see what interpreting on television entailed.  They served as interpreters for the interview.  They filmed for over two hours to make a 90 second spot.  The students were nervous during the shoot and told us afterwards where they felt they "flubbed up", but they survived.  It's hard to watch the spot and see the interpretation, except for a few signs, because the spot was edited to include as much variety as possible.  Because of the editing, all of the students had the opportunity to be on camera.  This was a wonderful opportunity for our students. 

Paula Willig Attended National Round Table

Paula Willig attended a Round Table on Online Education at Gallaudet University on April 5th, 6th, and 7th.
The purpose of the Round Table was to share state-of-the-art information about online education in interpreter preparation and to engage in active discussions to determine what the field would like to be doing in distance education.
The Round Table was sponsored by a grant from the Do It Center, housed at Front Range Community College in Colorado.

From Melanie Hodson:  I work for Independent Living Resource Center of Northeast Florida.  It is a not for profit agency. Within that agency is the interpreter referral service that's set up as fee for service. We serve seven major counties, Duval, Baker, Volusia, Flagler, Clay and Nassau not to mention sometimes south Georgia. I'm a staff Interpreter and the Interpreter Coordinator. I have a list of about sixteen freelance interpreters that I utilize and also four staff interpreters. The staff interpreters are required to interpret at least fourteen hours a week out in the field. That in itself keeps me busy. When I'm not out interpreting I'm in my office coordinating other assignments. Part of my job also is advocating for the rights of Deaf individuals. On a daily basis I explain who pays for interpreters, why they are responsible to pay for effective communication, and the procedure they would use to obtain an interpreter according to the ADA. Since the referral service is within a not for profit agency I am

required to complete a rather lengthy monthly report that includes my daily activities and the activities of the freelance interpreters.
From Dianna Minefee:  Things are going well for me as I continue the CIP, Community Intergration Program at the Chicago Area Interpreter Referral Service, better known as CAIRS.  This program has given me many opportunities that many of us just graduating would not give ourselves because of fear. I know I was extremely scared of going into the workforce, but I can say that I'm making it just fine.  I've had the opportunity to work at some of the major companies, colleges, universities, hospitals as well as government offices such as DHS, ORS, and unemployment in Chicago as well as Indiana. As part of this program I continue to receive tutoring, mentoring, and attend weekly workshops to build my skills. I encourage all students and prospective students, don't stop. Some days will be rough, but the good days outweigh the bad days.