Interpreting in the Modern Workforce: Preparing for White-Collar and Professional Contexts
Workshop Description:
As Deaf professionals increasingly enter white-collar fields such as STEM, law, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship, interpreters face growing demands for specialized skills to ensure equitable access. However, Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs) have not evolved to address these needs, often clinging to outdated paradigms rooted in deficit perspectives of Deaf people. This workshop empowers interpreters to rise to the challenge, equipping them with tools to meet the demands of high-stakes professional settings while advocating for systemic change in the field.
Through real-world case studies, personal reflections, and interactive activities, participants will:
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Explore the unique challenges faced by Deaf professionals in white-collar environments.
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Develop critical skills, including interpreting technical vocabulary, managing high-pressure scenarios, and understanding workplace culture.
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Identify gaps in ITP curricula and discuss strategies to modernize interpreter education.
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Reflect on the role of interpreters in fostering advocacy and empowerment for Deaf clients.
This session is designed to be highly interactive, combining role-playing scenarios and collaborative problem-solving exercises to ensure participants leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply. Join us to bridge the gap and elevate interpreting excellence for an advancing workforce.
Workshop Objectives:
As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Describe the unique challenges faced by Deaf professionals in white-collar environments.
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Develop critical skills, including interpreting technical vocabulary, managing high-pressure scenarios, and understanding workplace culture.
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Identify gaps in ITP curricula and discuss strategies to modernize interpreter education.
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Reflect on the role of interpreters in fostering advocacy and empowerment for Deaf clients.
Presenter Bio:
Dr. S. Jordan Wright, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized expert in ASL interpreting, accessibility, and Deaf education. With over 40 years of lived experience as a Deaf individual and a career spanning higher education, research, and leadership, Dr. Wright brings a dynamic and insightful perspective to the evolving field of interpreting.
As a scholar, Dr. Wright has spearheaded large-scale research initiatives, including a national study on interpreter education, training gaps, and workforce preparedness. His work sheds light on the challenges interpreters face in professional and white-collar settings, highlighting the crucial need for advanced training beyond traditional Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs).
In addition to his research, Dr. Wright has served as a professor, program director, and executive leader in both academia and nonprofit organizations. His expertise in accessibility laws, professional development, and strategic leadership makes him a sought-after speaker at national and international conferences.
At the core of Dr. Wright’s work is a commitment to bridging gaps—between interpreters and Deaf professionals, education and real-world demands, and outdated training models and modern workforce expectations. His workshop, "Interpreting in the Modern Workforce: Preparing for White-Collar and Professional Contexts," will provide interpreters with the tools, insights, and strategies necessary to excel in high-stakes professional environments.
Dr. Wright’s engaging, no-nonsense approach ensures that participants leave with practical takeaways and a deeper understanding of how to meet the demands of today’s professional interpreting landscape.