Accessing Sign Language Interpreter Services in a Health Care Using Internet Video

Abstract

An innovative technological solution was investigated as a means of providing access to sign language interpretation for people who are Deaf when accessing health care services.

This research project, which was located in New Brunswick, collected data during a number of health condition simulations. The participants included people who are Deaf, health professionals, as well as sign language interpreters. The sessions simulated conditions that commonly occur in health care professional offices, medical clinics and hospital emergency rooms. The communication issue being evaluated focussed on technology which was used to provide sign language interpretation services from an interpreter who was at a remote location to the health care provider and the patient. The technology involved a combination of affordable commercially available equipment and high speed internet. A recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling (Eldridge, 1997) mandates sign language interpretation services for people who are Deaf when accessing health services. This important decision emphasizes the legal importance of providing timely and adequate sign language interpretation services for Deaf people in health care settings.

This presentation describes the effectiveness of the technological solution during the simulated sessions and data collected from the health professionals, sign language interpreters and the Deaf participants are reported.