Responsibilities of the Deaf consumer

1. Introduce yourself and your interpreter to the hearing consumer



2. Inform the interpreter about the communication mode and form of language you are most comfortable with.



3. DO NOT ask the interpreter for his/her advice or opinion in an interpreting situation



4. Learn to trust the interpreter. A professional interpreter must follow the Code of Ethics and must be confidential



5. If you give a prepared speech, make an extra copy for the interpreter



6. In a one-to-one situation, maintain some eye contact with the hearing person so he/she feels included



7. If you have a complaint about an interpreter, talk directly to the interpreter. If you are still not satisfied write a letter to the agency that hired the interpreter



8. If you are not satisfied with the quality of an interpreter, then DO NOT ask for that interpreter in the future



9. If you would like to offer constructive criticism to the interpreter DO it in person and in private



10. Determine with the interpreter where the ideal placement is in order for the interpreter to be seen and to DO the best job.



11. If you DON’T understand the interpreter’s mode of communication or use of signs, inform the interpreter specifically about what the problem is.

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