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Policies & Procedures Overview

During the 1994 general session of the Utah State Legislature, Senate Bill 41 was enacted and became law (Utah Code 53A-26a-101). The act, relating to the deaf and hard of hearing, ensures quality and competent interpreter/transliterator services by:

"...providing for certification of interpreters (and transliterators) for the hearing impaired; providing definitions; providing for an Interpreter Certification Board; requiring certification to provide interpretive [and transliterative] services, except as otherwise exempted; providing for denial of certification and for disciplinary proceedings; providing a penalty; and providing an effective date." AuthorityUnder Utah Code 53A-26a-101, the Utah State Board of Education is designated as the entity to oversee the activities by which the directives and purpose of the law are to be satisfied.

Under the same authority, an Interpreter Certification Board, consisting of 11 members, was created to assist the State Board of Education with its responsibilities relating to certification of interpreters/transliterators. The Utah Certification Board reserves the right to adopt, expand or restrict the levels of certification, definition of levels, allowable practices, length of certification, certification renewal, and the certification process as needed (see the appendix for any changes in policy).

The State Board has assigned the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) to establish policies and procedures by which certification of interpreters/transliterators for the hearing impaired will occur in Utah. The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH), under the direction of USOR, serves as the operational entity by which certification of interpreters and transliterators for the deaf occurs. The DSDHH may, while retaining jurisdiction in the certification procedure, designate specific entities to administer all or part of either the interpretation or transliteration test process.

A sign language interpreter is defined as an individual who utilizes a standardized system of sign language to change communication from spoken to sign and from sign to spoken, conveying all elements of the communication and maintaining dynamic equivalence. The ADA supported the desire of the majority of Utahns to provide opportunities for full participation and integration into the mainstream of our communities to individuals with disabilities. Utahns and their elected representatives then took definitive action to ensure and provide direction in protecting individual rights under this Act.

As part of this action, the 1993 Legislature passed House Bill 161. This bill mandated a study to develop a master plan for statewide interpreter services to the deaf. As a result, Senate Bill 41, Utah Code 53A-26a-305 was passed. The law provided for the development of policies and procedures for interpreter certification. The law also mandated the establishment of standards for the practice of the profession. This document is based on the following principles: Utahns who are deaf or have significant hearing loss have the right, responsibility, and desire to fully participate in and contribute to the families and communities in which they live. The mode of communication should be provided according to the consumer's choice.

Interpreters, transliterators, and consumers of interpreting/transliterating services will strive to realize the highest possible quality of interpreter provision.

Utah certified interpreters/transliterators are responsible to accept assignments within the limits of their abilities and practice according to the standards outlined in this document. Interpreters/transliterators will provide services in a professional manner consistent with the established Code of Ethics.

The consumer has the responsibility of informing the provider of the nature of the interpreting setting and circumstances.

The consumer has the responsibility of reporting a perceived code of ethics and/or professional practice violation when he/she is personally affected by the perceived violation.