Okay, I'd figured I'd help the school along since they are claiming they can not find a deaf interpreter for my son yet for school. They said there is a shortage of them. If ANY of you know of anyone, please, please have them contact me & I will put them in touch w/ the right folks to apply for the job. I had received a message this morning from the DPI & am trying to stay on top of this. This forum has been invaluable and I figured at least one of you would know someone who interprets and may be interested in a job. It will be for a 6yo boy. Only reason I am posting on here is b/c I have exhausted all other resources including the DPI. If I do not find one on my own, I will ask the ADA what to do next. Honest to goodness, not a SINGLE person has run into this much trouble at finding an interpreter across the nation that I am in touch with. That would be hundreds of families and all are stunned it is taking this long. They have been searching since the beginning of March. I know there has to be more to the story but I am only on one side of it. Trying to be understanding but school starts next month and we've had months to look. They told me I could not find one on my own. Obviously I have many more details but will not post all on here. Just know my son has to have an interpreter. He can not communicate w/out one. BTW, I can go to any museum, aquarium, etc. in the state and give them just 2 to 3 days notice & they will have an interpreter there if need be. Haven't done that b/c I do the interpreting for him for outings. Just saying if they can find someone in this state on short notice, why can't the school??? Please help w/ any information any of you may have of where I can find an interpreter for my son for school. This would be a full time job for someone M-F during school. Thanks in advance and sorry if this message has a tone of fustration. Stephanie--mom to 7
I'm not that familiar with your situation, but is he in public school? With the budget cut-backs, I wouldn't be surprised if their likely to encourage you to enroll him in Wilson at the Eastern School For the Deaf. I know from what I've read, hearing-impaired children often do better in school when they have friends that they can relate with. Of course, they're talking about closing the Wilson school (and the school in western NC) and consolidating both in Raleigh. I'm not really sure how you would go about finding an interpretor on your own. I know I may not be much help, but I can give you best wishes in your quest to find him help. Sorry I couldn't be any more help other than that.
One reason you probably cannot find anyone is the pay scale is very low for interpreters. I believe they are paid the same as classroom assistants. Someone who has gone to college and has a unique skill wants more than poverty level pay. You might try contacting college programs that offer interpreter training. They are likely to know if there are recent grads looking for jobs.
We'd love to send him to ENSD. Visited the campus and all. However, we don't want him to be residential. &, since we live more than 35 miles, he can not ride the bus there everyday. So, he is in public school. The reason many of hte Deaf schools are becoming extinct is due to the CI. Many once Deaf children and now verbal and in public schools doing fine. Some states no longer have any deaf schools. I knew they were talking about closing ENSD but I did not know they were thinking of closing the one in Morganton. I had not heard about one coming to Raleigh. If it does, that is where my son would go. Meantime, we have to make learning accessible to him here. Thanks for letting me know about the possibility of a school here. Had not heard of that yet. He does need to be around other deaf children. He was happiest at a deaf camp we went to in May w/ the whole family. Thanks again.
Both Morganton and Wilson are fighting the proposed closures, however the state's DHHS has some serious budget shortfalls to reconcile. From what I understood, the plan was to close both schools and consolidate the two centrally at the Morehead School for the Blind in Raleigh. Naturally, those enrolled in Wilson and Morganton would face the same situation that you were faced with and that being a preference not to have a member of the family miles away living at school and the distance being too far to commute daily.
There is talk of merging the schools for the deaf and school for the blind into one school. I haven't heard if they are still moving forward with this idea. I think the last plan proposed was to keep the schools for the deaf open and move the visually impaired children to those schools. Here is a link about the proposed closure from June 12th. http://www.indyweekblogs.com/triangulator/2009/06/12/governor-morehead-school-supporters-protest-proposed-closing/
Hi Stephanie - try contact several interpreters on the list and explain your situation with them to see if they can help: http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dsdhh/interpreter/pdf/directory_raleigh.pdf Another list below is a list of interpreter agencies (private business): http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/dsdhh/interpreter/pdf/directory_ISA.pdf
I know an interpreter but I am not sure if she is looking for work right now. I will talk to her and see what she says and if she is then I will PM you.
