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 However, Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs) have not evolved to address these needs, often clinging to outdated paradigms rooted in deficit perspectives of Deaf people.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 seasoned expert in communication access, interpreter education, and public health advocacy. A native ASL signer with over 40 years of lived experience as a Deaf individual, Dr. Wright brings a unique blend of personal insight, academic rigor, and professional leadership to his work. He holds a Ph.D. and has established himself as a published scientist in the fields of interpreter training and communication access, contributing innovative research that bridges gaps between academic knowledge and real-world application.
As the current Director of Communications for the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), Dr. Wright has demonstrated an ability to foster dialogue between Deaf and hearing communities, addressing challenges such as hidden curricula in Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs). His efforts emphasize the need for comprehensive training models that better prepare interpreters for high-stakes environments like healthcare, mitigating risks to public health caused by untrained or underqualified interpreters. Dr. Wright’s recent presentation at the ADARA conference underscored these critical issues, drawing on focus group research to highlight how systemic gaps in ITPs contribute to a nationwide shortage of competent medical interpreters.
In addition to his research and advocacy, Dr. Wright is actively involved in developing workshops and interactive learning experiences aimed at improving the educational landscape for interpreters.
Dr. Wright’s work embodies a commitment to improving communication access, rebuilding trust within the interpreting profession, and enhancing the quality of service delivery to the Deaf community. His research continues to shape conversations on accessibility, equity, and education, not only within the U.S. but with potential implications for international collaboration as well.