FAQ

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1. What is a sign language interpreter?

Interpreting happens when two people or two groups of people do not share a common language but need to or want to communicate with each other. In Canada, when Deaf and hearing people interact, most interpreters provide interpretation in spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL). In some francophone or bilingual regions in Canada, interpreters provide interpretation in French and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). Interpreters are knowledgeable in the sign language and culture of Deaf and hard of hearing persons, and the spoken language and the norms of the (hearing) majority culture.

To learn more about why to hire an AVLIC member for an assignment, click here.

2. What is a Deaf interpreter?

Click here to view AVLIC's position paper on Deaf Interpeters in English.

Click here to view AVLIC's position paper on Deaf Interpreters in ASL.

Other resources.

3. How do I hire an interpreter? Can I advertise my posting on the AVLIC website?

How do I hire an interpreter?

Sign language interpreters can be hired by:

  • Private contract - the terms of the assignment are negotiated directly between the person paying for interpreting services and the interpreter(s). Payment is made directly to the interpreter(s).
  • Agency contract - the terms of the assignment are based on an agency standards and rates. The agency will make arrangements to have an interpreter(s) at the assignment. Payment is made to the agency.
  • Staffing agreement - some locations have interpreters on staff to cover varied assignments.

AVLIC does not act as an interpreter booking agency; however, if you need to hire an interpreter, please consider some of the options detailed in the section below.

I have a job posting; can I advertise my posting on the AVLIC website?

If you have an on-going, contract interpreting assignment or permanent interpreting position you would like to advertise to the national membership via our job posting's page (within the members only section) as well as by direct e-mail to members, please send a .doc or .docx version or .pdf version of the job posting to casli@casli.ca. There is a $50 administrative fee for this service.

For one-time or short-term assignments:

  • Use the AVLIC Directory of Members to privately contract a current Active member. Please click here to view this directory. When using the directory, there are search options that will let you narrow down the list to members (search by province or search by city). You can use the e-mail addresses provided by members to contact them directly and privately negotiate the terms of the assignment.
  • Consider contacting the Affiliate Chapter in your area with assignment details for local distribution (if applicable; options vary by chapter).  Click here for contact details for our Affiliate Chapters.
  • Contact a private or publicly funded interpreting agency. (AVLIC does not formally endorse any agencies at this time)

AVLIC promotes respect for the consumer's communication rights by encouraging the use of qualified interpreters of their choice for barrier free communication.  Asking the consumer for a list of interpreters with whom they have a good, professional working relationship with is vital to a successful, equitable interaction. For more information on consumer preference, feel free to contact us at casli@casli.ca.

Hiring a member of AVLIC is vital to ensure the interpreter you hire has graduated from an Interpreter Education Program or has satisfactorily met this standard through other experience as deemed by the AVLIC and the Affiliate Chapters membership. AVLIC members are expected to maintain high standards of professional conduct in their career as an interpreter. Only members of AVLIC are accountable to the AVLIC Code of Ethics and follow the Guidelines for Professional Conduct since they agree to abide to it as a condition of membership. AVLIC also offers a Professional Conduct Review Process (PCRP) that assists members and consumers when professional relationships are strained - (please note, as of May 2018, the PCRP program is on hold until further notice). Ultimately, through AVLIC membership the interpreter demonstrates that they are committed to the profession and striving for certification.

In addition to asking for AVLIC membership, the following questions can assist you in finding the appropriate interpreter for your situation:

  • Certification with AVLIC (Certificate of Interpretation, COI)
  • Accreditation (provincial and/or employer screenings)
  • Years of experience
  • Areas of experience/expertise
  • Comfort and familiarity with the nature and format of the appointment
  • Willingness to travel
  • Availability of a resume

When contacting interpreters it is important to provide the date, time, duration and location of the appointment. However, it is important to keep the names of participants confidential until the interpreter has confirmed that they are available to work at which point particulars can be discussed before confirming services.

To learn even more about why to hire an AVLIC member for an assignment, click here.

4. How do I become an interpreter?

To apply to an Interpreter Education Program (IEP), please contact the program in which you are interested. Each program can provide you with the pre-requisites for admission. Once formal interpreting education is completed, interpreters need to remain abreast of research and trends in the field. Interpreters should participate in professional development events, workshops and conferences annually. Higher education is encouraged and an advantage.

Those interested in becoming interpreters should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be flexible, non-judgmental, diplomatic, objective and have superior self-discipline. One should also have a drive to be creative, pursue life-long learning, enjoy working in a variety of settings and available to attend frequent professional development.

Membership with AVLIC and a local Affiliate Chapter is expected of all working interpreters.

5. How do I become a member of AVLIC?

Please refer to the Membership Information page for full details.

6. I am not an interpreter; can I still be a member of AVLIC?

Subscribers

While AVLIC membership is reserved for working interpreters and students training to become an interpreter, we do offer a Subscription service so that others (i.e.. employers of interpreters, agencies, Deaf community members, interpreter education program coordinators, etc.) can receive announcements and current information about the Association and the profession. 

People actively working in the interpreting field who do not meet the AVLIC membership criteria (Active member) are not able to apply for Subscription service. The Subscription service is intended for non-interpreters.

The AVLIC subscription year is from April 1st to March 31st annually.  New subscriptions can be processed at any time of the year, but there are no pro-rated fees (full year's fees owing regardless of join date) and subscriptions must be renewed by the next March 31st. (For example: if an application is processed on September 1, 2012, the full year's fees are owing and the subscription would need to be renewed by March 31, 2013 for the next subscription year.)

Subscription service is a dual service, and as such AVLIC and at least 1 Affiliate Chapter must be chosen (AVLIC-only subscription service is not available). 

For more information please email casli@casli.ca


7. How do I become certified with AVLIC?

An interpreter must be a member of AVLIC in order to enter into the Canadian Evaluation System (CES) to become certified. The CES has four phases:

  • Phase One: Written Test of Knowledge
  • Phase Two: Preparation
  • Phase Three: Test of Interpretation
  • Phase Four: Certification Maintenance

Please click here for more information about the Canadian Evaluation System.

8. I am a member of AVLIC and I have forgotten my password. Who do I contact?

If you have forgotten your password for the website, please contact the administrative assistant at casli@casli.ca.

The administrative assistant is not able to view members' passwords because they are encrypted, however, they are able to reset a new password for you. 

9. What are payment options for membership fees? Does AVLIC offer a payment plan? 

AVLIC accepts payment for membership fees in the following ways:

  • Online payment using a major credit card (member enters in credit card information)
  • Online payment using a PayPal account (member enters in credit card information)
  • Manual processing of a major credit card (AVLIC enters in the credit card information)
  • Cheque (in Canadian funds. All cheques are made payable to AVLIC and we forward along the Affiliate Chapter's portion in a separate transaction.)
  • E-transfer (avlic@avlic.ca for details)

AVLIC does offer a payment plan, please contact casli@casli.ca for more information.

 

10. I am a member of AVLIC. I will be going on a leave from work and want to know more about reduced membership fees?

The Membership Leave Policy allows Active members who are not earning living as an interpreter due to one of the 5 approved leave reasons listed below to pay only 25% of the AVLIC and Affiliate Chapter Active membership fees. Leaves must be at least 6 months in length. During membership leave, members will remain in good standing but with some membership benefits suspended with the Association and its Affiliate Chapter.

Approval for a leave is based on one of the following reasons:

  • Illness/Injury: Applies to members requesting exemption based on illness must provide a doctor's note with their request. Members themselves may be unable to work due to their own illness or that of a spouse (partner) or family member.
  • Upgrading Education: Applies to members who have returned to post-secondary education and are not earning income as an interpreter. Supporting documentation (registration) must be provided by the member. If the member discontinues their studies during the school year, Active membership fees (less any reduced fees already paid) will be paid by the member.
  • Bereavement: Applies to members who experience the loss of a spouse, partner or family member. Members must provide a death certificate with their request
  • Parental Leave: Applies to members who are unable to work in order to fulfill childcare obligations. This includes pregnancy (maternity) leave. Members must provide a doctor’s note with their request.
  • Compassionate Reasons (*new - as of July 2018)

Item of note:

  • Leave requests can be received at any time during the membership year. 

More details on the process can be found in the members only section of the website (sign into your members only account and then visit the Bylaws, Policies & Procedures page. All requests can be directed to the administrative assistant at casli@casli.ca.

11. What is Occupational Title Protection?

Occupational Title Protection is the restricted use of a job title (name) by a defined group and those who use the protected title must meet specific criteria.

Within Canada, Occupational Title Protection is provincially legislated; as such, AVLIC is unable to seek Occupational Title Protection on behalf of its members. Instead, each Affiliate Chapter must apply to their respective provincial governments for Title Protection.

On July 7, 2011, Occupational Title Protection was granted to the Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI) through the BC Provincial Government (click here to read the announcement).  The three protected titles, which are reserved for use by WAVLI members only within the province of BC, include:

  • Registered ASL/English Interpreter
  • Registered Sign Language Interpreter
  • Registered Visual Language Interpreter

To see some commonly asked questions and answers related to WAVLI's Occupational Title Protection, click here or visit the WAVLI website to learn more.

Other AVLIC Affiliate Chapters have begun the process to seek Occupational Title Protection through their provincial governments.  Official updates will be added to this section of the website as they become available.

12. I have information to share with the members of AVLIC, what is the easiest way to do this?

AVLIC has several ways to disseminate information of interest to our members. We have an email distribution list, a current announcements page for members only, The AVLIC News newsletter distributed two times a year as well as the AVLIC Facebook and Twitter accounts. For any of these avenues, please contact casli@casli.ca

13. My question isn't listed here and I don't know where to find the answer, who do I contact?

Over the last few years, AVLIC has been undergoing large internal changes. With the addition of an executive director in August 2016, the AVLIC Board of Directors has begun the transition process from a working board model towards a governing board model. As part of that transition some operational duties and responsibilities formerly taken care of by the Board have been downloaded to the AVLIC Office.

While the transition is still ongoing, the AVLIC Board and the AVLIC office have created an organizational communication chart to guide members who need to contact AVLIC with a question, but aren't sure to direct the question to.

 

Please click here to view the AVLIC External Communications Chart in PDF format.

 

If you need to contact

·      the Board, please send and email to: president@casli.ca

·      the Executive Director, please send an email to: exec_dir@casli.ca

·      the Administrative Assistant, please send and email to: casli@casli.ca

·      a committee coordinator, please click here

o   you will be re-directed to AVLIC's committees page on the Members Only side of AVLIC's website (you will need to be logged into your AVLIC profile)

 

As the transition process continues, we anticipate this organizational chart and contact list will evolve. The membership will be updated accordingly.