Interpreting, according to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), is "receiving a message in one language and delivering it in another." Please follow this link for more information on professional sign language interpreting: Practice of Interpreting

Purple provides services for the following types of sign language:

• ASL: American Sign Language is a complex visual-gestural language possessing its own grammar and syntax.
• PSE: Pidgin Signed English uses ASL vocabulary in English word order.
• MCE: Manually Coded English systems are designed to represent exact spoken English in a visual form.
• NSS: Non-Standard Signing includes gestures, "home signs", and other idiosyncratic visual communication.
• ISL: International Sign Language is an intercontinental system of standardized signs.

Purple also provides:

• Oral Transliterating: Oral transliterating is designed to meet the needs of an individual who uses speech and speech-reading for communication.
• Low-Vision: Low-vision interpreting is specifically designed to consider the communication needs of a person with low visual acuity.
• Tactile: Tactile interpreting provides hand-on-hand signing and fingerspelling to individuals who have little or no vision.

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) is the national membership organization of sign language interpreters. RID certifies interpreters through its National Testing System, provides professional development opportunities through its Certification Maintenance Program, and promotes professional standards through its Code of Ethics and its Ethical Practices System. For more information about RID, please click on the following link: www.rid.org

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) was established in 1880 by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value. As a nonprofit federation, the mission of the NAD is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing Americans. The advocacy scope of the NAD is broad, covering the breadth of a lifetime and impacting future generations in the areas of early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, youth leadership, and more. For more information, please visit www.nad.org

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation's foremost consumer organization representing people with hearing loss. The HLAA mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy, and support. Each year HLAA holds a Walk4Hearing to eradicate the stigma of using hearing devices, increase awareness of hearing loss as a health issue among the general public and raise funds for programs and services to support peole with hearing loss and their families on a local and national level. HLAA has 14 state organizations, 200 local chapters and a national office. For more information about the work HLAA does go to www.hearingloss.org

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is the instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and realtime software. The text appears on a computer monitor or other display. For more information on CART, please click on the following link: CART

The types of CART services which Purple provides are:

• On-Site: On-site CART brings the realtime writer to your location. On- site service provides maximum flexibility in meeting locations. Participants view the translation via laptop computer or projected image.
• Remote: Remote CART brings streaming text to any location with a phone line, computer, and an Internet connection. Our realtime writers attend via conference call, translate the spoken English into text, and transmit it to the user's computer over the Internet in less than 3 seconds.
• Overhead: Overhead CART is designed to provide communication access for large groups. This service is frequently used at conferences and special events to project text onto large screens or monitors placed throughout the room.
• Speaker Image: Speaker image captioning, similar to captioning on television, projects text on the same screen as the image of the speaker. This service is normally used for large group meetings and may be displayed on a large screen or monitors.

The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is the professional membership organization for professionals who convert spoken word to text, including CART writers, captioners, and court reporters. The NCRA certifies CART writers, promotes professional development through its Continuing Education program, and promotes professional standards through it Code of Professional Ethics. For more information on the NCRA, please click on the following link: www.ncraonline.org

Absolutely. The national certification programs for sign language interpreters and CART writers provide a uniform standard of competency. Interpreters or CART writers who have attained national certification have shown they have at least the minimum level of skills, as determined by their respective professional organizations, to provide services.

Interpreters and CART writers must also participate in certification maintenance or continuing education programs to maintain their certifications, which provides an opportunity for on-going professional development.

Nationally certified interpreters and CART writers must also adhere to codes of professional ethics which provide standards of professional conduct and confidentiality, and which provide a mechanism for customers to file complaints against practitioners who do not maintain those standards.

It depends on the length of time that services are needed and the types of services that are provided. One of Purple's customer service representatives can help you determine how many interpreters will be required for your request. A good rule of thumb is that two interpreters are generally required for an assignment lasting longer than an hour-and-a-half. Two interpreters may be required for shorter assignments where the interpreting needs are more intensive, however.

It depends on the length of time that services are needed and the types of services that are provided. One of Purple's customer service representatives can help you determine how many writers will be required for your request. A good rule of thumb is that two writers are generally required for an assignment lasting longer than three hours. Two writers may be required for shorter assignments where the needs are more intensive, however.

Here is a basic checklist:

• Date
• Start time
• End time
• Location, with specifics about security procedures, directions, parking, and room numbers/locations
• Type of service needed (e.g. sign language interpreting and/or CART)
• Language preferences of consumer(s) (e.g. ASL, PSE, written English, etc.)
• Name(s) of consumer(s)
• Type of event (e.g. one-on-one meeting, staff meeting, conference, social event, etc.)
• Number of participants at event
• Nature of consumer participation (e.g. attendee, presenter, etc.)
• Billing information

Other information may be required in order to accommodate your request for services. A Purple customer service representative can help to ensure that all pertinent information is gathered for your request.

Unfortunately, no. Purple is not an advocacy organization, nor are we able to offer legal advice. There are many organizations that specialize in such activities, however. For starters, you can try the following link: www.ada.gov