Why a union?

Welcome, everyone! Thank you for being here tonight. I truly appreciate you taking the time out of your busy lives to join this important conversation. My name is Dr. Shaelyn O’Riordan, but you can call me Dr. Shae. As a Deaf woman and a Deaf interpreter, I stand before you not just as a professional, but as a member of our community.

As we gather here, I ask that we foster an environment of clear communication. Please identify yourselves before speaking, and let’s strive to avoid talking over one another. Since this gathering is voice interpreted, we want to ensure that everyone has access to the conversation, whether through voice-to-tactile interpretation or live transcription. Speaking or signing at a moderate pace will help us all engage more effectively. Thank you.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the audist practices that have plagued our community, particularly from VRS companies like Sorenson and Purple. I know many of you share my frustration and anger about how these companies have operated, especially since the involvement of private stakeholders. We’ve witnessed a deterioration in practices that now verge on human rights violations for both Deaf consumers and interpreters alike. It’s time for us to hold these companies accountable, not the individual interpreters who work under overwhelming conditions.

I want to assure you that I understand the depth of your anger. I feel it, too. It’s essential that we channel this anger into a productive response. We can no longer allow Sorenson and Purple to dictate the terms of our communication. For instance, Sorenson has forced DeafBlind consumers to rely on their proprietary software for communication. This is unacceptable; every DeafBlind individual should have the right to choose the platform that best meets their needs, including alternatives like Convo.

Additionally, the quality of interpretation services is a critical concern. The responsibility lies with these companies for not ensuring they hire qualified interpreters. Their current training programs are insufficient, providing little support for even the most seasoned interpreters. New interpreters, fresh out of interpreting training programs, should not be thrust into the rigorous demands of VRS. It is these companies that are failing in quality control by employing those without the necessary experience. Interpreters in VRS need a wealth of vocabulary and varied experiences to handle the diverse range of calls they encounter. 

We are witnessing seasoned interpreters leaving the profession due to the exploitative practices of Sorenson and Purple. Many of these interpreters are unable to withstand the grueling demands, such as having only six seconds between calls. This lack of time severely impacts their ability to perform, leaving them exhausted and more prone to errors in their work. We must remind ourselves that it is not the interpreters who are at fault; it is these companies creating the toxic environment.

Moreover, we face the troubling reality that these companies are closing call centers across the nation, many of which employ Deaf individuals. This impacts our community directly, as we are losing vital job opportunities.

Additionally, we must advocate for the inclusion of Deaf interpreters in call centers, especially for high-stakes and emergency communications. It is crucial that we have access to culturally and linguistically competent interpreters who can bridge the gap effectively. We need C/DIs in these environments, and yet the companies have failed to provide even a single position for them.

Now, I want to open the floor to hear from all of you about your experiences with VRS. Can you share some of the challenges you face daily? (Pause for responses) How have these experiences affected you as a Deaf person? (Pause for responses) In your opinion, what could Sorenson or Purple do to improve their services?

I also want to take a moment to address the interpreters among us. Your experiences and insights are invaluable to this conversation. Please feel free to share the challenges you face within the VRS setting and how the working conditions impact your performance and well-being. Many in our community may not fully understand the specific challenges you encounter, including the expectations placed upon you and the lack of adequate support from the companies. Your voices are crucial in helping us paint a clearer picture of the realities within VRS. Let’s work together to shine a light on these practices so that we can advocate for improvements that benefit both interpreters and the Deaf community as a whole.

As we move forward, I propose that we advocate for the following changes in our union’s contract with these companies. I would love to hear your thoughts on these proposals:

1. No interpreter with less than one year of community interpreting experience should be hired by any of the companies.
2. All companies must hire and employ a minimum of 3 to 5 C/DIs in call centers nationwide.
3. There should be a minimum of 1-2 minutes between calls to ensure interpreters have adequate mental breaks for quality interpretation.
4. Wait times for Deaf consumers should not exceed 10 minutes. If they do, how will the company compensate? Will there be credits to VRI accounts or other incentives to rectify this?

Together, we can address these critical issues and hold Sorenson and Purple accountable. Let’s unite for the changes we need to support our community and our interpreters. Thank you for being here and for your commitment to our cause.