TBC News, Issue 4

Sections of both PL 504 and PL 94-142 encouraged the growth of interpreting as a profession. Ten regional programs were established, AA degrees were awarded, and the Conference of Interpreter Trainers was convened. The “new" RID became an independent organization, disassociated from the parent organization, the NAD. On its own what did the “new" RID advocate? Specialized training, a BA or even MA degree in interpreting, increased professionalism among interpreter, and little or no volunteer work for fear the interpreter would be mistaken for a “helper" or become “over-identified" with Deaf consumers.