*This webinar, originally scheduled for August 2025, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, August 18, 2026. * This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 PS CEUs at the little/none Content Knowledge Level. RID HQ is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This presentation explores the systemic barriers faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing (D/HH) individuals, highlighting legal, communicative, and institutional challenges. We will examine the impact of the issues, drawing on real-life accounts. We will also delve into the multifaceted roles of interpreters who often serve beyond their role, navigating complex legal and rehabilitative systems as educators, advocates, and mental health supporters. Finally, we examine advocacy strategies to foster critical reflection on the necessity of equitable access and systemic reform.

This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 PS-Legal CEUs at the little/none Content Knowledge Level. RID HQ is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This presentation continues this discussion regarding accessibility and communication barriers with a focus on the civil court system. While the provision of reasonable accommodations to deaf and hard of hearing civil litigants is legally required under the ADA, the decades since the passage of the ADA and other related legislation have revealed many failures to act - mirroring the barriers and failures within the criminal legal system. While the criminal legal system has the authority to take away someone’s liberty and/or life, the most serious of punishments, the impact from a civil court system should not be understated. For example, divorce and family courts have the authority to remove children from the home and/or deny visitation rights, dramatically altering many lives. When trying to understand how the civil court system impacts deaf and hard of hearing litigants it is important to recognize one complicating factor, the application of the ADA and other related legislation within the state civil court systems is far uniform. Access to accommodations and in particular interpreters can vary greatly state to state. With this in mind, this presentation will discuss key aspects of the civil court system at the federal and state level, focusing on how federal and state legislation has influenced the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing litigants. This will include a discussion of changes in policies since the early 1990s that have worked to reduce or break barriers as well as continued challenges in redressing lack of enforcement and related financial obligations in providing accommodations. Finally, this presentation will address available resources, or lack thereof, for deaf and hard of hearing individuals seeking access to or involved in the civil court system.

This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 PS-Legal CEUs at the little/none Content Knowledge Level. RID HQ is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. There is no time like the present to engage in conversations about the relationships between law enforcement and the Deaf community. Law enforcement and their interactions with Deaf persons are at the beginning of the criminal justice system. This workshop focuses on providing information about law enforcement’s role and process in the criminal justice system and empowering interpreters with insights and tools for their work in these interpreting assignments. This workshop will open with insights about law enforcement’s role, process and goals during interactions with citizens. The co-presenters provide interpreters with a “tool kit” with concrete tips and perspectives to apply during related interpreting assignments. The workshop will also create a safe space for the co-presenters and audience to share their experiences and ideas for improving accessibility, presence, and communication between the Deaf individuals, law enforcement, and interpreters. We value the audience’s stories and constructive conversations. “Change is possible when acceptance and understanding of culture are bidirectional.”

RID HQ is an RID-approved sponsor for processing RID CEU activities. This RID CEU activity is being offered at the little/none content knowledge level for 0.15 Professional Studies (PS) RID CEUs. This session includes a live hiring-manager panel that offers direct insight into how interpreters are evaluated in different settings and what truly influences selection decisions. Though this live and recorded session is part of the Interpreter Career Clinic package (described below), it can be registered for and taken without the other sessions, as there is no prerequisite to attending this panel.​ Description: How do interpreters consistently get offered the right work—work that fits their skills, experience, and professional goals—while others with similar credentials struggle to get traction? This workshop focuses on how interpreters are evaluated, selected, and staffed in real hiring and contracting environments, and how to align your professional materials and online presence with the outcomes you actually want: better assignments, stronger working relationships, and fewer misaligned opportunities. Participants will examine how resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and professional narratives are read by hiring managers, schedulers, and team leads. We’ll discuss how small changes can significantly affect trust, clarity, and perceived readiness for specific types of work. Rather than focusing on self-promotion, the emphasis is on making your qualifications, boundaries, and areas of strength easier for others to understand and act on. Through structured reflection, practical exercises, and real-world examples, participants will learn how to: - Clarify what types of work they are best suited for right now, - Communicate experience and specialization in ways that reduce ambiguity for decision-makers, - Improve the accuracy and effectiveness of resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles as screening tools, & - Understand how hiring decisions are actually made—and where interpreters unintentionally lose opportunities. A live session to follow that applies this asynchronous content through guided practice, peer feedback, and scenario-based discussion. A separate hiring-manager panel offers direct insight into how interpreters are evaluated in different settings and what truly influences selection decisions. This clinic is relevant for freelance and staff interpreters, as well as those transitioning into new settings, seeking more consistent work, or aiming to be staffed more intentionally. Participants should bring a current resume and access to their LinkedIn profile for hands-on application and feedback.

This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 PS-Legal CEUs at the little/none Content Knowledge Level. RID HQ is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. This workshop will help better equip interpreters to provide culturally responsive and ethically sound services to Deaf individuals with substance use issues within the criminal justice system. Often the only consistent communication bridge for Deaf individuals in complex legal and treatment settings, interpreters will explore their role in navigating access and advocacy issues. The session will address the unique challenges and access issues Deaf individuals face when navigating substance use, treatment programs, and the legal system. Participants will gain tools for more effective and ethical interpreting interactions in these complex situations through discussion of current research, case studies, updates on litigation, available resources, and needed improvements in carceral settings, as well as strategies to assist interpreters in navigating the barriers and injustices that Deaf individuals experience in these systems.

*This session will not be recorded for asynchronous viewing. Please register only if you plan to attend live on Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1:00pm-3:00pm ET. *Note: Participants may not access this activity until they have completed in full the Interpreter Career Clinic - Develop a Brand (asynchronous) activity. https://education.rid.org/p/br... Description: This live session applies the asynchronous content, described below, through guided practice, peer feedback, and scenario-based discussion. In this interactive workshop, you will receive practical feedback to help you sharpen your application of the concepts learned in part 1 to your own resume and LinkedIn profile.​ How do interpreters consistently get offered the right work—work that fits their skills, experience, and professional goals—while others with similar credentials struggle to get traction? This workshop focuses on how interpreters are evaluated, selected, and staffed in real hiring and contracting environments, and how to align your professional materials and online presence with the outcomes you actually want: better assignments, stronger working relationships, and fewer misaligned opportunities. Participants will examine how resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and professional narratives are read by hiring managers, schedulers, and team leads. We’ll discuss how small changes can significantly affect trust, clarity, and perceived readiness for specific types of work. Rather than focusing on self-promotion, the emphasis is on making your qualifications, boundaries, and areas of strength easier for others to understand and act on. Through structured reflection, practical exercises, and real-world examples, participants will learn how to: - Clarify what types of work they are best suited for right now, - Communicate experience and specialization in ways that reduce ambiguity for decision-makers, - Improve the accuracy and effectiveness of resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles as screening tools, & - Understand how hiring decisions are actually made—and where interpreters unintentionally lose opportunities. This clinic is relevant for freelance and staff interpreters, as well as those transitioning into new settings, seeking more consistent work, or aiming to be staffed more intentionally. Participants should bring a current resume and access to their LinkedIn profile for hands-on application and feedback.

RID HQ is an RID-approved sponsor for processing RID CEU activities. This package includes three (3) activities that are being offered to total 0.6 Professional Studies (PS) CEUs. The format of these 3 activities is as follows: - Asynchronous session/recording - Developing a Brand - 0.2 PS CEUs - Live-only session - Application of Developing a Brand - 0.2 PS CEUs - Saturday, March 28, 2026 - 12p-2p ET - Q&A with Professionals - Panel of Hiring Managers - 0.2 PS CEUs *Note - the asynchronous session of this series must be completed prior to attending the live-only application session. The panel session is standalone with no prerequisite. * Description: How do interpreters consistently get offered the right work—work that fits their skills, experience, and professional goals—while others with similar credentials struggle to get traction? This workshop focuses on how interpreters are evaluated, selected, and staffed in real hiring and contracting environments, and how to align your professional materials and online presence with the outcomes you actually want: better assignments, stronger working relationships, and fewer misaligned opportunities. Participants will examine how resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and professional narratives are read by hiring managers, schedulers, and team leads. We’ll discuss how small changes can significantly affect trust, clarity, and perceived readiness for specific types of work. Rather than focusing on self-promotion, the emphasis is on making your qualifications, boundaries, and areas of strength easier for others to understand and act on. Through structured reflection, practical exercises, and real-world examples, participants will learn how to: - Clarify what types of work they are best suited for right now, - Communicate experience and specialization in ways that reduce ambiguity for decision-makers, - Improve the accuracy and effectiveness of resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles as screening tools, & - Understand how hiring decisions are actually made—and where interpreters unintentionally lose opportunities. The live session applies the asynchronous content through guided practice, peer feedback, and scenario-based discussion. A separate hiring-manager panel offers direct insight into how interpreters are evaluated in different settings and what truly influences selection decisions. This clinic is relevant for freelance and staff interpreters, as well as those transitioning into new settings, seeking more consistent work, or aiming to be staffed more intentionally. Participants should bring a current resume and access to their LinkedIn profile for hands-on application and feedback.

This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 PS-Legal CEUs at the little/none Content Knowledge Level. RID HQ is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. Competency to Stand Trial is a foundational concept in the U.S. legal system, rooted in the constitutional right to due process. But what does “competent” actually mean in a courtroom context—and who decides? This webinar will examine the legal and clinical standards used to determine competency. Through a Deaf-centered lens, participants will analyze how Deaf individuals—particularly those impacted by language deprivation, language dysfluency, or limited access to formal education—may experience the competency evaluation process differently. Special attention will be given to the role of interpreters throughout competency proceedings: during forensic evaluations, attorney-client meetings, restoration services, and court hearings. Participants will explore legal terminology and jargon commonly used in competency determinations and examine ethical considerations for interpreters navigating this complex and high-stakes setting. By the end of this session, interpreters will have a stronger understanding of competency standards, the unique vulnerabilities of Deaf individuals in this process, and practical strategies to support accurate, ethical, and linguistically appropriate access to justice.

*All sessions in this series will be recorded for asynchronous viewing for those unable to attend any of the live sessions that occur on the third Tuesday of each month beginning August 2025 through August 2026, 7-9pm ET. Access to these recorded sessions will expire December 31, 2026.* This legal education series will delve into legal barriers Americans with disabilities face by our justice system and take sign language interpreters on a journey of breaking barriers, bridging gaps, and illuminating justice. *Viewing the film is not a prerequisite for attending the sessions, but is strongly encouraged, as it provides context and perspectives that are equally beneficial and enhance the overall experience. If you are interested in purchasing the viewing rights for this film, please visit this page: https://education.rid.org/p/film

This Professional Studies program is offered for 0.2 PS-Legal CEUs at the little/none Content Knowledge Level. RID HQ is an approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities. Forensic evaluations play a critical role in legal and court-related settings, yet the process, terminology, and expectations can feel unclear or intimidating—especially for interpreters who are not clinical or forensic specialists. This workshop provides an accessible overview of what forensic evaluations are, why and when they are conducted, and how they differ from other types of assessments. Participants will explore common evaluation processes, key terminology, and the unique role interpreters play in these high-stakes settings. Emphasis will be placed on practical considerations, ethical challenges, and vital information interpreters need to navigate forensic evaluations with confidence, accuracy, and professionalism.