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Using American sign language interpreters to facilitate research among deaf adults: lessons learned
1University Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA. ksheppard@psln.com
Background:
Health care providers commonly discuss depressive symptoms with clients, enabling earlier intervention. Such discussions rarely occur between providers and Deaf clients. Most culturally Deaf adults experience early-onset hearing loss, self-identify as part of a unique culture, and communicate in the visual language of American Sign Language (ASL). Communication barriers abound, and depression screening instruments may be unreliable.
Purpose:
To train and use ASL interpreters for a qualitative study describing depressive symptoms among Deaf adults.
Method:
Training included research versus community interpreting. During data collection, interpreters translated to and from voiced English and ASL.
Results:
Training eliminated potential problems during data collection. Unexpected issues included participants asking for "my interpreter" and worrying about confidentiality or friendship in a small community.
Conclusions:
Lessons learned included the value of careful training of interpreters prior to initiating data collection, including resolution of possible role conflicts and ensuring conceptual equivalence in real-time interpreting.
