Coronavirus pandemic - info for inteRpreters
Updated 27 January 2021
On this page you will find an overview of guidelines, webinars, best practices and other resources for interpreters during the Coronavirus Pandemic. If you have information to share, please send an email and it will be added. Further updates also on the special Blog for Sign Language Interpreters during COVID-19.
Sharing Tips & other experiences
24 November 2020: Adding sign language interpretation to your online event
25 September 2020: Zoom updated - new accessibility friendly features
24 September 2020: Sign languages and deaf people during Covid-19: how can you help in the classroom (blog by Robert Adam)
24 June 2020: Statement on face coverings (by DCAL)
10 June 2020: The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on sign language interpreting working conditions (Acadeafic vlog)
17 May 2020: AIIC Testing of Interpreting Technologies - Headsets (headphone and microphone)
13 May 2020: Tips for a successful online meeting 2: Be seen!
12 May 2020: Tips for a successful online meeting 1: Be heard!
11 May 2020: How to choose a headset for Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI)
8 May 2020: The Covid-19 Pandemic and Deaf Participation in Meetings in the Academic Workplace
7 May 2020: RSI Considerations for Interpreters
6 May 2020: Interpreter injuries spike due to virtual Parliament, prompt calls for quality controls
2 May 2020: Comparative overview of Remote Simultaneous Interpreting platforms (in Dutch / NL) (French version)
1 May 2020: Accessible Virtual Meetings Guide
30 April 2020: Audio and Video for interpreters (Free recorded webinar by Techforword)
30 April 2020: New Accessible Remote Working Guide for BSL interpreters, deaf and hearing participants (by DCAL)
29 April 2020: Make Microsoft Teams work for your Deaf staff! (by Deaf Action)
28 April 2020: How to Host Effective and Accessible Online Meetings with Deaf Participants
27 April 2020: The Limping Chicken - Anonymous: The devastation of not working as a BSL interpreter during the Coronavirus crisis
23 April: The Challenges of Being a Deaf Lip-Reader During the COVID-19 Pandemic
22 April 2020: The Limping Chicken - Coronavirus: Deafblind people face communication challenges in a time of social distancing
21 April 2020: Reviews PC Headset Options for RSI (by Tamber Hilton)
19 April 2020: Daily Moth, WFD Interview on COVID-19
17 April 2020: Working from Home – Ergonomically (by ZHAW)
17 April 2020: The Limping Chicken - Jo Wootten: Captioning remote meetings and other useful resources for deaf people
11 April 2020: The coronavirus pandemic and bushfire emergency have thrust Auslan interpreters into the spotlight
7 April 2020: Do's and Don'ts for Remote Simultaneous Interpreting
6 April: DIY reusable face mask with clear window (for the deaf and hard of hearing) | Maison Zizou
6 April: DHH Mask Project and Tutorial
5 April 2020: Language interpretation in meetings and webinars
3 April 2020: Transitioning to Remote Interpreting for Times of Crisis: Where do we start, and where will we end up? (Part 1)
3 April 2020: Sharing COVID-19 Information in Multiple Languages (specifically for USA, incl. ASL)
2 April 2020: Kentucky college student creating masks for people with disabilities
1 April 2020: Covid 19 coronavirus: Jacinda Ardern gives sign language interpreters a well-deserved shoutout
28 March 2020: How to make transparent face mask for sign language interpreter
26 March 2020: Video recording of event Interpret America - A unified response to ensure access to interpreting services during the pandemic
25 March 2020: Vancouver sign-language interpreter takes it to next level, gains following during crisis
20 March 2020: Using an interpreter in Zoom
19 March 2020: Pro Tips: Migrating to Video Remote Interpreting
17 March 2020: Enabling ASL Interpretation in Zoom
13 March 2020: ASLI/NRCPD Joint Statement – Access to Information and Services Coronavirus – Covid19
Guidelines
WFD & WASLI Guidelines on Providing Access to Public Health Information in National Sign Languages during the Coronavirus Pandemic
More than 70 million deaf people throughout the world have the right to access information in their national sign languages on the Coronavirus Pandemic. See here >
WFD special info page on Coronavirus. See here >
COVID-19 and Deafblindness, Recommendations on inclusive policies from the global deafblind community. See here >
ITE workgroup Remote Interpreting in Educational Settings: Best Practice Recommendations (USA). See here >
WHO Disability considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak
WHO has published a 10 page document with actions and protective measures specifically for persons with disabilities that should be taken by key stakeholders (including information in sign language, p. 5). See here >
UNCRPD Information on disability inclusion and COVID19. See here >
AIIC Taskforce for Distance Interpreting (TFDI) guidance on providing professional service during challenging times. See here >
AIIC Interpreter Checklist: Performing interpreting assignments from home in extremis during Covid-19 Pandemic. See here >
AIIC best practices for interpreters during the Covid-19 crisis
Joint guidelines from AIIC's Technical and Health Committee & Taskforce on Distance Interpreting. See here >
AIIC Covid-19 Distance Interpreting Recommendations for Institutions and DI Hubs
AIIC has prepared a set of guidelines for institutions and DI hubs using distance interpreting during the Covid-19 pandemic. See here >
AIIC guidelines on distance interpreting (1.0)
The document contains AIIC’s minimum standards and best practice recommendations applicable to working conditions for video remote conference interpreting in simultaneous mode, including for sign language interpreters. Read more >
W3C specifications for WCAG 2.0 > G54: Including a sign language interpreter in the video stream
Examples & best practices
WFD overview: Countries with sign language access to COVID-19 public broadcasts. See here >
EUD Overview: Accessibility of information on COVID-19 in different EU Member States. See here >
Sign Language Interpreting on TV & Media: Follow-up & reflections of 1st European seminar on Sign Language Interpreting on TV & Media Tweets >
Health & safety
Coronavirus: BSL interpreters express concerns for Deaf community and their personal safety (Limping chicken, 18 March 2020)
Free Infection Control and Industrial Safety for Medical Interpreters course. See here >
Infection Control and Industrial Safety for Medical Interpreters. See here >
Working from Home – Ergonomically. See here >
Terminology and Technology for interpreters & other resources
TermCoord has produced a graphic event of COVID-19 disease with all related terminology. See here >
Equipment recommendations for Video Remote Interpreting/Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (VRI/RSI). See here >
Research & surveys
Corona survey for sign language interpreters. Survey on how the corona crisis is impacting and innovating remote work in the sign language interpreting profession. See here >
Survey by FIT Europe for freelance translators and interpreters to gauge the impact of the ongoing pandemic on the translation/interpreting industry. See here >
Impact of working remotely from the booth partner in the videoconference-based interpreting setting, MA thesis by Mohamed Bouhmid. See here >
Call for support
Appeal to authorities by AIIC, FIT and WASLI. AIIC spearheads call on authorities globally to consider economic implications of coronavirus on conference interpreters and other independent professionals in the language industry. See here >
Info in sign languages on COVID-19
Global overview, open list database: World Signed Language Resources on COVID-19, Advocacy, & Risk Reduction Information
In International Sign, provided by the Federal Office of Public Health in Switzerland: See here >
Austria: Österreichische Gebärdensprache (ÖGS) and also for and by children
Belgium | Flanders: Vlaamse Gebarentaal (VGT), daily interpreted press conferences and more press conf., press conference 1 April 2020
Belgium | Wallonia: Langue des Signes de Belgique Francophone ( LSFB)
Croatia: Hrvatski Znakovni Jezik (HZJ) (note: daily updates, scroll down till you see the interpreted version)
Estonia: Eesti Viipekeel
Finland: Suomalainen Viittomakieli (SVK)
Finland | Suomalainen Viittomakieli (SVK): Ministry of Health & social services guidelines & guidelines for protection & guidelines for assessing coronavirus infection, home care, and seeking treatment
Finland | Suomenruotsalainen Viittomakieli (SRVK): Ministry of Health & social services guidelines & guidelines for protection for people over 70 years old & guidelines for assessing coronavirus
Germany: Deutsche Gebärdensprache (DGS)
Ghana: Ghanese Sign Language
Iceland: Íslenskt Táknmál (ÍTM) > scroll down to see SL videos
Ireland: Irish Sign Language (ISL)
Japan: Japanese Sign Language (JSL) by NHK Japanese public broadcaster, NHK Sign Language News, Heartnet - explanation about prevention, Daily message by governor of Tokyo at 18.45 pm, Press conference by Prime minister Abe (14 March 2020), Press conference by Prime Minister Abe (29 February 2020), Fukui Prefecture press conferences
Malta: Maltese Sign Language (LSM) and here
Mexico: Mexican Sign Language (LSM) info by @ENaccesibilidad, also here
Netherlands: Nederlandse Gebarentaal (NGT)
New Zealand: New Zealand Sign Language
Norway | Norsk tegnspråk (NTS): Norwegian Directorate of Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health (general info) & (quarantine and isolation), Deaf Media, Supervisuell, Signo, Statped, NRK daily live interpreted news
Philippines: Filipino Sign Language Access Team for COVID-19
Portugal: Língua Gestual Portuguesa (LGP), Federação Portuguesa das Associações de Surdos
Rwanda: Rwanda Sign Language
Scotland: British Sign Language (BSL)
Spain: Spanish Sign Language (LSE), Federación de Personas Sordas de la Comunidad de Madrid
Sweden: Svenskt Teckenspråk (TSP)
Switzerland: Deutschschweizer Gebärdensprache (DSGS), Langue des Signes Française (LSF), Lingua dei Segni Italiana (LIS), Daily press briefings with DSGS interpreter
United Kingdom | British Sign Language (BSL): UK government dept. Health & Social Care, Sign Health and UK Government briefings with BSL
How do you keep safe and healthy while working as a sign language interpreter during COVID-19? Share your experiences and best practices with colleagues around the world.