SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE AND LOCATION

12 weekend sessions (Saturday 9:00 am–5:00 pm; Sunday 9:00 am–3:00 pm) featuring intensive courses designed to prepare new Deaf Interpreters with essential skills, resources, and knowledge through lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and assignments.
Classes will meet at Worcester, Massachusetts; open to participants across New England. Applicants from other states may be accepted if space allows. Exact location and hotel details will be shared after acceptance.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS

Please consider accessibility when coordinating a workshop, including but not limited to linguistic accessibility and the physical accessibility of the location.
If requests are made for reasonable accommodations, Continuing Education Activities should be made accessible
You can simply say, “Please contact director@roadtodeafinterpreting.com to request reasonable accommodations”

NON-DISCRIMINATION AND RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT

Include a statement identifying the policies on non-discrimination and promoting an environment of mutual respect that is also free from bias. For example, “Presenters, coordinators, and participants of this educational opportunity agree to promote an environment of mutual respect, free from bias and discrimination.”
Please note, this statement does not preclude “difficult conversations” and aims to create environments where learning and honest dialogue can happen.

RID CEU/ACET

CEUs and ACETs available for completed courses.
MassRID is an approved RID CMP sponsor for Continuing Education Activities. ThisProfessional Studies program is offered at (pending 1.2) CEUs/ACETs at the Little/No Content Level.

RDI 101: Deaf Interpreters: Past, Present, and Future

Teachers: Fatima Silvestre & Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel

Dates: March 7 & 8, 2026
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course explores the history, evolution, and foundational practices of Deaf interpreting. Students examine the role of the Deaf community and interpreters in shaping the field’s future, and reflect on how their personal experiences influence their potential as Deaf interpreters.

RDI 102: Power, Privilege, and Oppression

Teachers: Erin Sanders-Sigmon & Stephanie Hakulin

Dates: April 11 & 12, 2026

On-site: Worcester, MA

This course examines power, privilege, and oppression within the American Deaf community, with a focus on the experiences of Deaf people of color. Students explore how biases and stereotypes form, engage in self-analysis, and consider how these factors may impact their work as interpreters. The course also addresses systemic inequities, social identity, and strategies for promoting equity and inclusion.

RDI 104: Consumer Assessment: Identifying Culture, Language, Communication, and Visual Gestural Communication

Teachers: Charley Thorn & Fatima Silvestre
Dates: June 6 & 7, 2026
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course introduces strategies for assessing consumers’ cultural, linguistic, and communication needs, including visual and gestural communication. Students examine a wide range of factors—such as language and communication styles, education, physical and cognitive abilities, and sociolinguistic context—that may influence interpretation. Through practical exercises, students develop strategies for recognizing consumer characteristics and applying this knowledge to Deaf interpreter practice.

RDI 103: Ethical Considerations and Challenges for Deaf Interpreters

Teachers: Andrew Veith & Meli Stamp
Dates: May 16 & 17, 2026
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course explores ethical issues and professional challenges faced by Deaf interpreters. Students examine decision-making, best practices, and strategies for maintaining integrity and accountability across diverse interpreting contexts. The course covers the Code of Professional Conduct established by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID), and how these codes guide ethical decision-making. Students also explore the historical development of NAD and RID ethics and their influence on the field of Deaf interpreting.

1st Observation Practicum (10 hours)

Dates: June-August 2026 (10 hours)

Observe professional interpreters in a variety settings
Learn interpreting strategies, professional behavior, and workplace dynamics

RDI 105: ASL Linguistics and Contrastive Analysis

Teachers: Jim Lipsky & Randee Pascall-Speights
Dates: September 12 & 13, 2026
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course introduces the linguistic structure of American Sign Language (ASL) and examines its phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics. Students compare ASL with English through contrastive analysis, focusing on structural differences and their implications for translation, interpreting, and bilingual language use.

RDI 201: Introduction to Consecutive Interpreting

Teachers: Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel & Pauline Ballentine
Dates: October 10 & 11, 2026
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course introduces the basic principles and techniques of consecutive interpreting. Students develop foundational skills in active listening, analysis, memory, and note-taking, with emphasis on accurate and clear transfer of meaning between languages. The course also covers interpreter roles, ethics, and professional conduct, preparing students for further study in interpreting.

RDI 202: Introduction to DeafBlind Community and Interpreting

Teachers: Jonathan LeJeune & CoNavigator: Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel
Dates: November 7 & 8, 2026
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course introduces the DeafBlind community, its culture, communication methods, and access needs. Students explore the role and responsibilities of interpreters working with DeafBlind individuals, with emphasis on respectful interaction, ethical practice, and foundational interpreting strategies.

2nd DeafBlind & Interpreting Hand-On Practicum (10 hours)

Dates: November 2026-January 2027

Participate in supervised DeafBlind interpreting experiences
Hands-on DeafBlind interpreting experience and interpreting experience
Receive guided feedback and develop practical competence and professional readiness

RDI 203: Consecutive Team Interpreting with Deaf, Deaf-Parented, and Hearing Interpreters

Teachers: Jim Lipsky (Medical), Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel (Mental Health), Stephanie Clark (Development Disabilities), and TBA (Education)
Dates: January 9 & 10, 2027
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course explores team-based consecutive interpreting involving Deaf, Deaf-parented, and hearing interpreters across a variety of settings, including medical, mental health, developmental disabilities, and educational environments. Students focus on collaborative roles, communication strategies, and ethical practices that ensure accurate, effective, and accessible interpretation for diverse populations. Through practical exercises, students develop collaborative techniques, ethical decision-making, and analytical skills for effective interpretation in both small group and one-on-one contexts.

RDI 204: Text Translation and Video Translation work

Teachers: Rachel Boll & TBA
Dates: February 6 & 7, 2027
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course introduces principles and practices of translating written texts and video-based content between languages. Students develop skills in accurate message transfer, cultural and contextual analysis, and adaptation for accessibility, including captions and translated media. Emphasis is placed on quality, ethics, and professional standards in translation work.

3rd Hands-on Practicum (10 hours)

Dates: February-May 2027

Continue supervised interpreting in professional settings
Build confidence, competence, and professional readiness

RDI 205: Introduction to Simultaneous Interpreting and Team Interpreting/DeafBlind Interpreting

Teachers: Charley Thorn & Fatima Silvestre - Simultaneous/Team Interpreting
Date: March 6, 2027
Teachers: Jonathan LeJeune & CoNavigator: Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel - DeafBlind Interpreting
Date: March 7, 2027
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course introduces the fundamentals of simultaneous interpreting and team-based interpreting, including work with DeafBlind individuals. Students develop foundational skills in real-time message processing, collaboration, and ethical practice, with attention to accessibility, role clarity, and effective communication in diverse interpreted settings.

RDI 206: Interpreting at Work, Business Preparation, and Video Remote Interpreting

Teachers: Catie Eller & TBA
Dates: April 3 & 4, 2027
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course prepares students for professional interpreting in workplace and remote settings. It emphasizes business readiness, ethical practice, and effective communication strategies for in-person and video remote interpreting (VRI) environments.

RDI 207: Platform Interpreting, Audience Interpreting, Preparing for MCDHH Screening-Mock, and Graduation

Teachers: Charley Thorn & Stephanie Hakulin - Platform & Audience Interpreting
Date: May 1, 2027
Teachers: Jim Lipsky & Stephanie Clark - MCDHH Screening-Mock
Date: May 2, 2027
On-site: Worcester, MA

This course focuses on platform and audience interpreting techniques and prepares students for the Massachusetts Commission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) screening through mock assessments. Emphasis is on performance skills, accuracy, and professional readiness in public and evaluative interpreting settings.