Our Interpreters/Communication Professionals
We pride ourselves on the quality and integrity of the service we provide.
All our in-house interpreters and the freelance communication professionals we use are highly trained and are registered with the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD), and carry a photo ID card. The service is fully confidential and impartial.
British Sign Language/English Interpreters work between two languages and two cultures.
Interpreters for Deafblind People work in a hands-on manner, signing on the Deafblind person’s hands using manual block . For people with Ushers the Interpreter uses BSL in a smaller signing space to work within the Deafblind person’s field of vision.
Deaf Relay Interpreters are Deaf language intermediaries for Deaf people who are not fluent in BSL. They provide specialised interpreting services for people who do not use BSL as their primary means of communication. They work alongside BSL interpreters.
Deaf Translators are Deaf Interpreters who translate from written text/English into British Sign Language.
Lipspeakers repeat, without voice, everything that is spoken with a clear lip pattern, facial expression, and supporting gestures for those who lipread and have English as their first language.
The role of the NRCPD
NRCPD’s job is to safeguard the wellbeing and interests of people who rely on communication professionals. They do that by checking that every sign language interpreter, sign language translator, speech to text reporter, lipspeaker, interpreter for deafblind people and note-taker is properly trained to do their job safely and consistently.
NRCPD registered communication professionals have all achieved recognised qualifications in their discipline and work to strict professional codes of practice. Registration is the only guarantee that providers of communication services have achieved safe-to-practice standards. It ensures current enhanced DBS disclosures are held and that appropriate professional indemnity insurance is in place. Registered professionals adhere to a Code of Conduct and act impartially and professionally at all times.
In addition to this, NSLIS staff have regular appraisals and reviews and we have a feedback system in place to ensure continued quality of service. We are also an Investors in People (IIP) organisation.
To book a BSL/English Interpreter or Lipspeaker please complete a Booking form.
FACT…
It’s a myth that all deaf people can lip read. Some deaf people are very skilled speech-readers but many are not, and only 30% of spoken English is visible on the lips.