 Disabled: Of a person: having a physical or mental condition which limits activity, movement, sensation, etc (Oxford Dictionary)  A physical or mental handicap that prevents one from enjoying a full normal life or renders incapable of gainful employment (Random house dictionary)

 Family and friends that knew sign  Mostly volunteer based setting › Helper Philosophy was adopted more often than not

 Closed Caption, Relay services: Nonexistent  Emergency lights, Phone, and door lights: Nonexistent  Privacy? › Nope, sorry.

 Allowed deaf and hard of hearing people to request an interpreter that wasn’t family  To become a qualified interpreter all they needed to know was the manual alphabet › They were not effective as a means of communication › People complained about paying for a less than mediocre interpreter

 on of the first acts of the federal government to prohibit discrimination based on mental or physical impairment.  Applied only to federally funded operations

 Disability (as defined by the federal government): “A persons with a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of major life activities. People who have a history of, or are regarded as having a physical or mental impairments.  Major life activities: caring for one’s self, walking, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, learning, etc.

 Mandated that deaf or hard of hearing students be educated in the least restrictive environment, › Many public districts mainstreamed their students  Interpreters, speech training, note takers or tutors.  Problem, the students were not always provided with these services

 Introduced in 1989 by President George Bush Sr.  Passed in 1990( since has been modified several times, most current 2008)  Expands prohibition of discrimination to all public businesses and private companies of 15+ employees.

 Hearing impairment only becomes a disability if: › Substantially limits life activities › Has in the past limited activities  Interpreters will be provided upon request under threat of citation and fines!!!!

 They now have a recognized profession and are compensated › Considered under Auxiliary aids in title 1and in Rehab act sect. 504  The institution of RID (Registry of Interpreters) › Mandatory membership to be certified › A code of Ethics…no more helpers or machines!

 Interpreter training? › Should have classes focused on the ADA › Prerequisites: Code of Ethics and Deaf culture › Specialized classes for educational Interpreters › BA degrees mandatory for ALL interpreters  Majors in Psychology or Elementary school Education

 Frishberg, Nancy. Interpreting: An introduction. RID Publication, Print.  Thomas, Korian. Personal Interview by Bekki Wilson, Rachel Hayes  Oklahoma Office of Disability Concerns,. Title I - Who is an "Individual with a Disability" and a "Qualified Individual with a Disability" n. pag. Web. november  RID,. "About RID Overview." RID Web. 30 Nov